If you want to replace plants in some of the pots, you have a few options: 

  1. Sow new seeds. Make sure the new plants get enough light
  2. Use cuttings from other plants
  3. Transplant store-bought plants to avoid waiting for new plants to grow


Also, see how to start over (in all of the pots).

 

Option 1: Sow seeds again

Change the soil and sow seeds again

Used soil often contains nutrients, roots, and the wrong pH balance which can affect germination and growth. Feel free to experiment with reusing it, but we recommend new soil for the best germination. Get new coconut soil here.

Empty and clean the pots before adding new soil and sowing seeds (check out how to sow for the best result).


Make sure the new plants get enough light

The new plants must get enough light. Place the new pots straight below the plant light and lower the light bar. Make sure that larger, established plants don’t overshadow the new ones.

Newly sown seeds in the pots in the middle. We’ve lowered the light slightly to ensure that they get enough light. The light should be lowered even further than in the picture, and make sure that the surrounding plants don’t overshadow the new ones.


Larger plants will grow towards the light and may stretch over the newly sown pots. Trim or thin the larger plants to ensure that the new seedlings get enough light.


Set Auk to the correct plant phase
If you change two pots, set your Auk to phase 3. Then, it will continue as usual.

If you change four pots, set your Auk to phase 2. Then it will give slightly less water and nutrients. Check whether the larger plants are getting enough water; if not, add some water, and if they become too dry then adjust to phase 3 instead.

 

Option 2: Use cuttings 

You can kickstart by using cuttings – see video here. Cuttings are simply cut-off sections of another plant. You can stick the cuttings straight into the soil.

It may take time for the cuttings to develop roots and start to grow. As soon as they grow new leaves, they’ll need a lot of light, so make sure the other plants don’t overshadow them.

Tips for success with cuttings:

  • Remove large leaves, leaving only small ones on the cuttings
  • Place the plant deep into the soil. Remove the leaves from one or more sets of leaf nodes (the point on the stem that the leaves grow out from) and cover these nodes in the soil – this is where new roots grow.
  • Turn off the light for the first few days. Cuttings might dry out if they get too much light in the beginning, as they take time to create new roots.

Option 3: Transplant store-bought plants in some of the pots

You can transplant store-bought plants into some of the pots. This often works well since they will be the same size as the other, grown plants.

  1. Take the store-bought plants out of their pots. Tip: cut the box open to protect the plants and roots
  2. Put them in an Auk pot. If it’s tricky to fit them in, either squeeze them together or break up the soil. Try to protect the roots as much as possible.
  3. Add some coconut soil (available here) if there is space in the pot. This allows the soil to make contact with the water in the base plate, which is very important.
  4. Let the Auk continue in the phase it is in (phase 5 for grown plants).

At first, the store-bought plants might "fall over" from the shock of being transplanted. Don’t worry, they’ll soon recover.

 

Good luck with your new plants! :)