40/40 QPlug 50 Ct Bags

What the 40/40 QPlug Is

The iHort 40/40 QPlug is a square, stabilized propagation plug designed specifically for rooting cuttings and germinating seeds in commercial propagation trays. The '40/40' designation refers to the plug format: a 1¼-inch top dimension by 1⅝-inch depth — the most widely referenced and replicated plug profile in the industry.

Each plug is formed from iHort's proprietary blend of Coco Coir, Sphagnum Peat Moss, and Coconut Shell Bio Char. The blend is fully biodegradable and contains no perlite or vermiculite. This combination is engineered to hit the target air-to-water ratio that supports fast, uniform rooting — enough moisture retention to keep the stem base hydrated, enough air porosity to prevent root suffocation in the early stages of establishment.

Every plug arrives pre-drilled with a center hole sized for stem or seed insertion, ensuring consistent stem-to-media contact without the variability that comes from hand-poking loose media.

Who This Format Is For

The 50-count bag (SKU BQ162SSUP50) is the right format for operations running smaller propagation cycles or those that want to test the plug in their workflow before committing to full-case volume. It ships in cases of 30 bags — 1,500 plugs per case — and palletizes at 40 cases for large-volume procurement.

Commercial cannabis and hemp propagation rooms that run automated or semi-automated tray handling will find the 40/40 QPlug's structural integrity especially relevant. The stabilized media holds its shape through handling, counting, transplanting, and even light automation without slumping or breaking apart — which matters when you're moving thousands of plugs a week and can't afford damaged clones or fouled tray sensors.

Operations transplanting into soil, coco, or rockwool block systems will find the plug transitions cleanly into all three. It is also compatible with hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic systems for downstream transplanting.

Key Technical Attributes

Air porosity is the defining performance characteristic of the 40/40 QPlug. The coco-peat-biochar blend creates a flexible, open pore structure that promotes lateral root development — roots push outward through the plug rather than circling at the base. This translates directly to stronger transplant establishment and more uniform grade across a propagation batch.

The plug's structural integrity is a documented operational advantage. iHort engineers the media matrix to maintain shape throughout handling and the early crop life cycle, with minimal material sloughing. In facilities running recirculating hydroponic systems, media breakdown is a real cost driver — clogged filters, line maintenance, and lost run time. The QPlug's minimal particulate shedding keeps filtration cleaner over time.

The pre-drilled hole accommodates both seed-drop and cutting insertion. Stem-to-media contact is consistent plug to plug, which matters for uniformity in commercial propagation where variable contact depth leads to uneven root strike rates and uneven canopy development downstream.

How It Fits a Commercial Propagation Build

The 40/40 QPlug fits standard 50-cell propagation trays, making it compatible with the carrier tray and cell tray systems already in use at most commercial facilities. There is no tray retooling required to integrate the plug into an existing propagation line.

For transplanting, the plug moves cleanly into loose soil mix, coco block, rockwool slabs and cubes, and most hydroponic or aeroponic net pot configurations. The plug does not require removal before transplant — it goes in as-is, and the biodegradable media integrates into the root zone without leaving inert material behind.

Pre-soaking in purified water or a propagation solution for up to 24 hours before use is the standard iHort protocol. This pre-conditions the media moisture level and ensures the plug is at the correct water activity before cuttings or seeds are introduced. Case ordering through Hydro Supply Co. is available for single-case quantities up to full pallet (40 cases) — request a quote for volume pricing.