Best Clone set up for soil ?

ApexseasOG

Well-Known Member
Hello everyone. I don't know if this is the right forum to put this but what is the best "out of the box" cloning kit for soil? I've seen the ezclone and the clone king but these seem to be for transferring clones into a hydro set up afterwards. I realize that a DIY would be more cost efficient but is there a complete out of the box kit out there that would be worth it? What do you guys use for soil clones? Or can the above mentioned be also used to transplant into soil? Any input will be appreciated, thanks everyone. HAPPY 4TH!
 

spek9

Well-Known Member
I've used a Clone King for years for soil, and my medium of choice, Sunshine #4. They are not designed specifically for water-based hydro systems only.

Once the clones are rooted, I put them in pots with the medium.

I wouldn't go back to cloning any other way. It's just so simple, efficient and effective.
 

ApexseasOG

Well-Known Member
I've used a Clone King for years for soil, and my medium of choice, Sunshine #4. They are not designed specifically for water-based hydro systems only.

Once the clones are rooted, I put them in pots with the medium.

I wouldn't go back to cloning any other way. It's just so simple, efficient and effective.
Great info thank you! Im new to cloning so just gathering info before I even try it; wasn't sure if you could plant those "naked" roots into soil. I imagine you would have to be very careful and transplant them as soon as they start showing roots to lessen the trauma? With the clone king do you just transplant the plant with the puck and all or do you remove the puck?
 

spek9

Well-Known Member
Great info thank you! Im new to cloning so just gathering info before I even try it; wasn't sure if you could plant those "naked" roots into soil. I imagine you would have to be very careful and transplant them as soon as they start showing roots to lessen the trauma? With the clone king do you just transplant the plant with the puck and all or do you remove the puck?
You remove the neoprene sleeves (pucks), yes. Once roots start forming well, it's hard to damage them unless you're really forceful.

I plant when the roots are about as long as depicted below. It was taken on day 12. It's pretty consistent that I plant between day 12-14.

12_days.jpg
 

ApexseasOG

Well-Known Member
You remove the neoprene sleeves (pucks), yes. Once roots start forming well, it's hard to damage them unless you're really forceful.

I plant when the roots are about as long as depicted below. It was taken on day 12. It's pretty consistent that I plant between day 12-14.
That looks like a really healthy root system. Great picture too. Do you use a dome? For the light I was looking at a HLG 65w; is that overkill? If so what t5 fixture would you recommend? Mind you that funds aren't a concern as much as quality, performance and appearance.
 

spek9

Well-Known Member
That looks like a really healthy root system. Great picture too. Do you use a dome? For the light I was looking at a HLG 65w; is that overkill? If so what t5 fixture would you recommend? Mind you that funds aren't a concern as much as quality, performance and appearance.
I have my cloner in a 2x3x3' tent. I keep the reservoir temperature at 78F using a 50W fish tank heater. I keep the ambient air temperature in the tent lower than the reservoir temperature (68F). I use a 23W CFL for light, hanging not above the cloner, but off to the side. All three of these tactics force root growth and prevent leaf growth which greatly reduces or eliminates the discolouration of the leaves because if the foliage isn't growing, the plant isn't using the nutrients stored in the leaves.

See how the light is more beside the cloner than above it (the pots in the pictures is where I usually start seeds. In this case, I'm starting basil):

clone_light.jpg

As far as a dome, I don't normally use one, but see those screws with the clear tape around the rim of the cloner? In the summer, my humidity goes way down, so that tape is there so that I can lay a piece of clear vapour barrier plastic on top to keep humidity in and the plastic won't touch the plants.
 

BobBitchen

Well-Known Member
Great info thank you! Im new to cloning so just gathering info before I even try it; wasn't sure if you could plant those "naked" roots into soil. I imagine you would have to be very careful and transplant them as soon as they start showing roots to lessen the trauma? With the clone king do you just transplant the plant with the puck and all or do you remove the puck?
I am also a Clone King user, 100% satisfied. As to transplanting from cloner to medium, I wait 14 days or so, then into cups, you really don't have to worry about breaking roots, they will be pretty hardy.
IMG_0072 copy.jpg

most reliable piece of grow equipment I own.

good luck
bob
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
You don't need a kit. Small nursery pots or dixie cups and coco. I have a water cloner I made and used for years. They work great. I just find it's easier to just take a clone and stick it in coco. You don't have to dedicate space and can move the clones around and let them root anywhere you want. If I ever go back to flood and drain using hydroton then I would probably start using the cloner again.

 

Gardenator

Well-Known Member
Rapid rooters and or aeroponic cloner are your two best options, i have a 32 site and a 16 site Ezcloner and an aeropnic cloner is almost fool proof you can practically root a popsickle stick in it lol, the rapid rooters or pete plugs are also another very soild choice. I personally grow in soil, dont use my cloner because its bulky and i have the same success rate in root plugs (i use rapid rooters) and i never use anything but plain water on them. After they spit roots i pot them up. If you use soil you will probly find your preference will not be the aeropnic cloner and if i was you id get a tray and dome and practice with plugs.
 

DaFreak

Well-Known Member
Just got 100% Dixie cups filled with pro-mix and I didn't have any hormone around so I used some old chunky honey and added some warm water to it get it back to liquid. If your mothers are healthy any style will do. 18 Dixie cups takes up a lot more room than a little ez-clone box as mentioned above.
 

ApexseasOG

Well-Known Member
Just got 100% Dixie cups filled with pro-mix and I didn't have any hormone around so I used some old chunky honey and added some warm water to it get it back to liquid. If your mothers are healthy any style will do. 18 Dixie cups takes up a lot more room than a little ez-clone box as mentioned above.
Speaking of pro mix ; has anyone tried their organic garden mix ? I was thinking of starting the seeds/clones in that before transferring to their final pots with super soil.
 

Gardenator

Well-Known Member
Speaking of pro mix ; has anyone tried their organic garden mix ? I was thinking of starting the seeds/clones in that before transferring to their final pots with super soil.
Its awesome stuff, i buy it instead if the hardware store is out of bxm or bx+. Really great start for the little ladies too, imo id amend supersoil into your seed start soil mix at 1/4 recommended strength and it gives them a very healthy rich start in life that is a noticeable difference to the ones who dont have it amended into their soil. Also feeding them microbes from the day you pot them only helps
 

ApexseasOG

Well-Known Member
Its awesome stuff, i buy it instead if the hardware store is out of bxm or bx+. Really great start for the little ladies too, imo id amend supersoil into your seed start soil mix at 1/4 recommended strength and it gives them a very healthy rich start in life that is a noticeable difference to the ones who dont have it amended into their soil. Also feeding them microbes from the day you pot them only helps
I was thinking just that since this pro mix doesn’t have any food per say. Thanks for the input! I also wanted the pro mix you mentioned but it’s also out around my area.
 

Gardenator

Well-Known Member
I was thinking just that since this pro mix doesn’t have any food per say. Thanks for the input! I also wanted the pro mix you mentioned but it’s also out around my area.
I was faced with the same thing and since all my amendments and food are organic i said what the hell its still promix, turned out great ladies loved it, and the little added boost of enrichment of course lol
 
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