Punch ’N Gro

Punch ’N Gro® is a simple transplanting machine requiring no fuel, energy or electricity to operate. It is quite mobile so it can be used anywhere. It uses a specially designed “X-cut” plug tray that enables plugs to be “punched” from the plug tray to the finished flat.

Punch ’N Gro works on most species of bedding plants. We do not strongly recommend its use with fibrous begonias or coleus. However, we have customers who do use Punch ’N Gro for everything!

Several Plug Punchables® plug sizes are available. One of them will work in most 10 x 20-in. or 17 x 17-in. flat configurations.

Most likely — as long as you can easily push your finger into the mix, Punch ’N Gro will push the plug into the mix. With a heavy mix or one with larger bark pieces, it may be necessary to dibble the flat before transplanting.

Prices start at $4,280.00 and a complete system ready to use for a 10 x 20-in. flat punching Jumbo 606 cells is $4,515.00 (price subject to change). Contact Ball Seed for the most updated pricing at 800 879-BALL.

Most customers report at least a 50% increase in flats transplanted per hour using Punch ’N Gro versus hand transplanting. Many customers report doing 300 to 500 flats per hour with 5 to 6 people on the line. This includes transplanting, patching, labeling and setting the trays on a bench, rack or floor.

Punch ’N Gro can be operated by as little as one person. Generally, you can expect to transplant at least 50 flats per hour per person for up to five people.

The Punch ’N Gro system works best if the soil mix is on the dry side, but not completely dry. It is best to water the plugs after transplanting.

There are several, very simple adjustments to align the plugs. A 7/16-in. wrench is all that is needed to make these adjustments. Switching to a new flat configuration takes no more than 10 minutes.

The locator block on the front of the machine allows the plugs to be aligned properly for each punch. The pattern is different for each flat configuration. An operator can usually “learn” the pattern in a few minutes.

It is important that the plug tray be gently resting right on top of the finished flat when punched. If there is a gap between the two, it is likely the plugs will not go in straight.

Generally some of the plugs will not be centered in the cell. Growers find that this has no impact on the finished product. In fact, because the plugs are spaced exactly the same from each other and are planted to the exact same depth each time, the finished product is very uniform and attractive in the retail store.

Punch ’N Gro plugs are comparable in price to traditional plugs. The 324 Plug Punchables plug is almost the same price as the standard 288-plug.

You may buy Plug Punchables trays from Blackmore and grow your own plugs. The license agreement does not allow the resale of these plugs. Contact Blackmore at 800 874-8660 for more information.

The Plug Punchables plug tray is slightly more expensive than the cost of a traditional plug tray. There is a 10¢ to 15¢ premium on the tray.

Ball Seed is the exclusive distributor of Plug Punchables.

Ball Seed is the exclusive supplier of Plug Punchables. Currently, they are grown at 7 locations in the United States and Canada.

Blackmore sells the plug flats. They can be purchased directly from Blackmore Co.

The poles on the four corners of the machine can be raised and lowered to accommodate different finished flat heights. This is done by moving the cotter pins to the proper pre-drilled holes to get the desired height.

It is important to make sure all the settings are correct. If they are, it is possible the plugs are too mature or too soft. Contact Warren Ida at Tagawa for more information toll-free 877 864-0584.