Abstract: Plantlets from a bare-root, cutting or tissue culture condition are automatically planted into a nursery container. The apparatus creates a continuous supply of V-shaped notches in planting substrate, into which plantlets are placed and then the substrate is closed about the roots, creating a "sandwich" or "book" effect. The resulting plug members with the substrate closed around the plants roots or stem are automatically transplanted into a nursery container for subsequent growing. Plantlets with small roots are quickly and efficiently placed in the substrate without injury or transplant shock. The apparatus is particularly useful for small plantlets or early stage germinants that have both roots and shoots (such as tissue culture material derived from either micropropagation or somatic embryogenesis) but it can also be used with rooted or unrooted cuttings, true or synthetic seed or naked embryos.