A device for directionally placing a plant propagule (2) inside a hollow member (3), as exemplarily illustrated in Figures 4-7, comprising a platform element (20) arranged such that a foldable member (1) can be placed thereon； an actuating dispensing arrangement (90a, 90b, 100) for placing a foldable member (1) on the platform element (20)； an arrangement (40)/(40a)for placing a plant propagule (2) on a foldable member (1) placed on the platform element (20)； optionally, means (150) for identifying an imaginary line (9) on the foldable member (1) stretching through the root forming end (7) to the shoot forming end (8) of the propagule (2) being directionally placed during operation； an actuating folding arrangement (30, 80)/(120/80) for folding the foldable member (1) along said imaginary line (9) to form a folded foldable member (1a)； an actuating dispensing arrangement (180) for providing a hollow member (3) having a first open end (4)；and an actuating placing arrangement (30, 80)/(120/80) for placing said folded foldable member (1a) into the hollow member (3) through the first open end (4).Related methods for handling plant propagules, in particular somatic plant embryos.
