If you are growing marijuana, it could be a smart decision to make clones of some of your plants. This strategy can act as an efficient way to start a new strain from scratch.
Cloning plants requires a strong and healthy mother plant as well as some cuttings. You may use either a cloner or tray with a humidity dome to keep the clones humidified.
How to
Planting cannabis clones directly in soil can be a challenging task. It requires proper care and handling, so make sure you’re ready to do it correctly the first time around.
Before you begin cloning, select a mother plant with several leaves and healthy-looking nodes. Doing this will guarantee that your cuttings grow into full plants with flowers.
Before cutting your plant, ensure it has been in the vegetative phase for at least two months. Doing this helps avoid an excess of nitrogen in its leaves and stems which could make rooting difficult for clones.
Once your mother plant is healthy and robust, cut a 4- to 6-inch piece off at each node. Be sure to leave some stem tissue on the cutting so it can root successfully.
To start, you will need a small pail, water, your chosen growing medium (such as soil or Rockwool pellets), and some rooting hormone. Dip the end of your cutting in the rooting hormone and tap off any excess.
Next, place your clone in a pail and fill it with room-temperature water (if you live in an especially hot climate, add some ice cubes). Place the clone vertically into the water at the bottom of the pail so its roots can grow out into the growing medium.
Your clone should root within 3-14 days, though some can take longer. Once ready, transplant into a pot of your choice with high drainage and soil that contains high nitrogen levels and has a pH level of 6.
After transplanting your clone into its new home, it is essential to keep it well-watered so that the roots can develop strong strength. Check on your clone daily to make sure there is enough water and that its roots do not dry out.
No matter your level of experience or knowledge, the most efficient way to clone cannabis is in a sterile environment with gloves and disinfected tools. Doing this reduces the risk of transplant shock, which could cause your clone to wither and die.
Preparation
Before planting your cannabis clones, there are a few essential steps you should take. These include prepping the clone properly for transplanting and providing it with clean water to encourage strong roots growth.
First, sterilize all your tools and supplies. Doing this helps prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses that could harm your plant, while keeping your workspace sanitary. The most effective way to sanitize tools is by wiping them down with some alcohol or using cotton pads soaked in organic Rose Water.
Once your clones have been cleaned and disinfected, it’s time to cut them at an angle of 45 degrees or so. This allows the rooting hormone to reach the stem better than if you cut straight down. Doing this gives your plants the best chance for growing roots.
The next step is to submerge your cuttings in water or a rooting medium such as Rockwool cubes. This will prevent air bubbles from forming in the stem and also encourage more moisture absorption by the clone’s roots.
Once your clone has been planted, you may wish to add a small amount of water. Be careful not to overwater as this could cause stress and damage the plant. Ideally, the water should have a pH level between five and six so that it promotes rooting hormone growth within its stem.
Fast cloning allows the clone not to lose all its moisture due to air bubbles, which can be an issue with large clones. That is why many growers invest in cloners: to expedite root development.
After a couple of days, you should start to see your clones beginning to develop roots. This depends on the strain and environment; typically, they take around two weeks for this process to fully take hold. If you don’t have time for that wait, place them in a tray with a humidity dome over them for quick results.
Cuttings
Cannabis clones are an efficient way to produce healthy plants that are genetically identical to their mother plant, saving time and space in the process.
Before you can begin cloning cannabis, you’ll need a healthy mother plant and the appropriate rooting medium for your climate. Common choices include soil, potting mix, and starter cubes. The ideal growing medium should provide excellent airflow while retaining moisture.
Before planting your cuttings in their growing medium, take a moment to clip away any extra leaves from them. This creates an optimal environment for photosynthesis and allows roots to absorb essential nutrients.
Another option is to use a rooting hormone powder or gel to seal off any air bubbles present in the cutting. Doing this will provide your clone with essential nutrients so it can begin rooting faster.
Once you’ve scraped the bottom of the cutting, dip it immediately into rooting hormone to seal off any air bubbles and prepare it for further processing. Place it into a moistened starter cube and press down on both sides until all areas on the bottom are coated in gel-like substance from rooting hormone.
After one to two weeks, a cannabis clone should start showing vegetative growth. At this point, it’s ideal to transplant it into a larger container.
When planting a cannabis clone, it’s essential that it receives sufficient light. You can gradually lower the lighting over time so that your plant does not burn or shock.
Some growers opt to place their cannabis clones directly into soil for rooting. This method requires placing your cuttings into a healthy soil mixture with adequate nutrient levels. It’s essential to water frequently during this stage and maintain high humidity levels so that your clones can easily absorb necessary nutrients.
Some growers opt to use a soil mixture with nutrients, such as fish fertilizer or bone meal. This is an efficient method for rooting cuttings, but it can be challenging to monitor and maintain the correct nutrient level for your cannabis clones – particularly when you have multiple growing areas where it’s hard to know which plants are getting enough nutrition.
Transplanting
Cannabis clones offer an economical and practical way to ensure an endless supply of plants genetically identical to their parent plant. They’re ideal for those who wish to preserve a favorite strain.
Cannabis clones can be grown directly in soil or hydroponic systems. Both methods allow you to transplant the cuttings into larger pots or outdoor spaces after they have established roots.
Before transplanting your clones into the soil, you must ensure they are healthy and ready for transplanting. Furthermore, ensure the environment is sterile and that cuttings have not been exposed to pests or diseases.
Sterilizing the environment and using clean equipment are essential to prevent disease or infection from spreading to cuttings. Make sure your X-acto knife, hands, and any nearby tools or bench surfaces are sterilized with isopropyl alcohol before beginning this task.
When planting your clones in soil, ensure to select a well-drained, pH balanced medium that won’t burn the cuttings. Generally speaking, using a potting mix consisting of 25% to 50% perlite is ideal.
Hydroponic systems can be utilized with either a domed incubation tray and rockwool cubes to root cuttings or even mist propagation systems. However, it’s best to leave the clones in smaller containers until their roots have grown sufficiently for transplant.
Once your clones are in the soil, you can transplant them into a 1-gallon pot or larger to begin growing them out. After several weeks have passed, they should have developed a strong root ball.
Maintain the health of your marijuana clones by watering them regularly. They absorb more nutrients when the soil isn’t too dry, so using a soil moisture reader to determine when you should water again is ideal.
You can also place your clones under lights to stimulate growth. Providing them with gentle illumination helps stimulate root formation while keeping their temperature consistent.
Cloning your favorite strains allows you to have a lush garden for however long desired without having to purchase new seeds. Furthermore, this saves time, money and space compared to growing from seed.
