How to use

The GyroCup™

STEP 1 - Prepare The GyroCup™

STEP 2 - Choose propagation technique

The GyroCup™ is compatible with all indoor irrigation technologies. The technique chosen should be based on the crop type, work flow and irrigation technology. There are two categories for early stage growth - germination in the GyroCup™, or germinate separately and transfer to the GyroCup™.

1

AUTOMATION COMING SOON

Hydrogels and seeds

Use agar gel in powder form (which is available online e.g. Mr. P Agar on Amazon).
Use a combined heater+magnetic stirrer (or microwave) - mix 2-5 grams agar powder per litre of water and heat until bubbling vigorously, stirring half way through, then cool to set.
If using water crystals or Xanthan gum, mix water+powder in recommended ratio to form gel.
Either by scooping or using a giant syringe, inject around 0.5cm^3 of gel in each GyroCup, positioning it as close to the bottom as possible, place a seed on top of the gel - not inside it.
Keep the tray filled with water to maintain the gel's moisture and prevent drying out. If using a propagation environment, leave the tray in a propagation chamber for seedlings to develop and keep moist in required. Note -If using and ebb & flood, aeroponic or DWC system, the GyroCups can go straight onto the main growing system to germinate instead, as long as the gel is kept moist by your irrigation technology.

2

AUTOMATION COMING SOON

Seed tapes squares:

Sprinkle seeds onto a strip of 1 ply tissue, layer another strip of tissue on top and make wet. Break off approximately 1cm*1cm squares (ensuring a seed is within in), and insert it as low as possible, without force, into each GyroCup. Note: You can also buy ready made seed tape.
Position the seeded GyroCups in a propagation tray filled with water, ensuring water level reaches the seed tape area. Wick action from the GyroCup and tissue will keep seed moist. Or simply use a water spray.
Allow the seedlings to develop. If you're using a high humidity propagation chamber, keep the seed tape moist. Leave the GyroCups in the germination chamber until the seedlings develop. Note: if using an ebb & flood , aeroponic or DWC system, the GyroCups can go straight onto the main growing system without the need for a propagation chamber, as long as the seed tape can be kept moist by your irrigation technology.

3

Large seeds (including pelleted seeds and split pill seeds):

For certain seeds like legumes and pelleted seeds (3mm+), you can place them directly inside the GyroCup into a propagation tray filled with water, ensuring the water level reaches the just spray water. Note: You can also place legume seeds directly into the GyroCup and then directly onto an aeroponic, ebb and flood or DWC system, if desired.
Spraying from overhead is also an option, keeping a thin layer of water in the tray at the bottom.

4

GyroPlant

NURSERY COMING SOON

Small seeds only - suitable for small growing system only

To use GyroCups with small seeds (like lettuce seeds) with nothing else other than the GyroCup - start by aligning the GyroCups tentacles together as neatly at possible by pinching at the bottom. Place the GyroCups in a propagation tray with a thin layer of water at the bottom. Make sure the tentacles are touching the bottom, and drop the seeds in the centre of each GyroCup.
Spray GyroCups a few times a day with water overhead. Once the seedlings reach an appropriate size, transfer them to your main growing system. This method is well-suited for small home growers, particularly those using the 30mm GyroCup - requiring nothing other than the GyroCup, seeds and water!

5

Seed tape Lengths (NFT)

Place 5cm strips of seed tap with a seed embedded at one end.
Feed the seed tape though so 3cm dangled out the bottom.
Either place in a tray with a layer of water which meets the bottom of the seed tape, which wicks up the seed, or place straight into an NFT system.

6

Pre-germinated seeds - sprouting jar

For certain seeds, you can germinate in a high density sprouting jar, and then use the GyroCups for the main growing to harvest. This method is only suitable for large seeds like legumes. Once the sprouted seed is place in the GyroCup, it can be placed in a further propagation environment, before being placed in the main growing system.

7

Pre-germinated seeds & plant tissue culture

Using agar gel in powder form (which is available online e.g. Mr. P Agar on Amazon).
Use a combined heater+magnetic stirrer (or microwave) - mix 2-5 grams agar powder per litre of water and heat until bubbling vigorously, stirring half way through, then cool to set.
If using water crystals or Xanthan gum, mix water+powder in recommended ratio to form gel.
Allow gel to set in a tray, approximately 3-5mm deep.
Place seeds evenly apart on the gel surface.
Allow seedlings to form. If you're using a high humidity propagation chamber, keep the gel moist.
Scoop/pick out each seedling with a small amount of gel still on it, and place into the GyroCup for further growing on main growing system..

8

Pre-germinated seeds from tissue

Sprinkle seeds onto a sheet of tissue paper and make wet. Ideally on individual pads, but a sheet will be fine.
Allow the seedlings to develop. If you're using a high humidity propagation chamber, keep the seed tape moist. Leave the GyroCups in the germination chamber until the seedlings develop. Note: if using and ebb & flood , aeroponic or DWC system, the GyroCups can go straight onto the main growing system without the need for a propagation chamber, as long as the seed tape can be kept moist by your irrigation technology.

9

Pre-germinated seeds in water tray:

Fill tray with a 0.5-1mm layer of water at the bottom.
Place seeds evenly apart, approx 2cm apart.
Place in propagation environment or place tray on top of a heated mat.
Once seedlings have formed to a height of 2-5cm, pick up seedlings and place into the GyroCup.
Place GyroCup with seedling onto the main growing CEA system.
Ensure the roots are fed regularly (for Ebb and Flow, every 1/2 to one hour), any hydroponic system can be used once once the root mass has developed from propagation.

10

Cuttings and runners:

Sprinkle seeds onto a sheet of tissue paper and make wet. Ideally on individual pads, but a sheet will be fine.
Allow the seedlings to develop. If you're using a high humidity propagation chamber, keep the seed tape moist. Leave the GyroCups in the germination chamber until the seedlings develop. Note: if using and ebb & flood , aeroponic or DWC system, the GyroCups can go straight onto the main growing system without the need for a propagation chamber, as long as the seed tape can be kept moist by your irrigation technology.

STEP 3 - Transfer seedlings to main growing system

Place the GyroCup with seedling onto the indoor growing system. For DWC, ebb & flow and Aeroponic systems, you can (if preferred) place the seeded GyroCups straight onto system without placing in propagation area first.