Cuttings: to trim or not to trim?

[JacFlasche]

I have always trimmed the fan leaves on my cuttings for clones. Way back I read an article that showed how to trim them, apparently because cutting down on the total surface area kept the cuttings from drying out before they developed enough root to sustain more leaf. I made a half dozen or so cuttings of a cross between landrace Malawi and landrace punta rosa and I left all the leaf on that is above the level of the neophrene insert in the cups I use in a aero clone chamber. they seemed to root faster than they do when I trimmed them according to the method I have been using for decades. Anybody else ever do cuttings without trimming them? Some of the big fan leaves dried out some, some leaves became brittle on the end and dead, but the roots seemed to develop faster. My reasoning was that maybe the leaves provide more benefit to the plant by donating nutrients than they benefit because of less surface area. I guess relative humidity plays a role but not that much, my cuttings were uncovered in a relatively dry room 60%. Any other experiences on the matter?

 

[SnidleyBluntash]

New science says don’t cut.

 

[SnidleyBluntash]

ok there was a podcast I listened to and the guy did a real science experiment. Including as well ‘where’ on the plants cutting from, and size of the branch. I think it was tad hussy.

 

[Star Dog]

I used to cut them + add some half strength nutrients, I then read about the clones using mobile elements from the leafs and water being sufficient to root, I tried water only no cutting and it works fine.

 

[Southernontariogrower]

cutting them reduces respiration, big leaves, yes I do trim, small cuts no. I use tapwater for clones as reduces rot, roots before rot is a race. Some like trims some don't.

 

[Rozgreenburn]

I have always trimmed the fan leaves on my cuttings for clones. Way back I read an article that showed how to trim them, apparently because cutting down on the total surface area kept the cuttings from drying out before they developed enough root to sustain more leaf. I made a half dozen or so cuttings of a cross between landrace Malawi and landrace punta rosa and I left all the leaf on that is above the level of the neophrene insert in the cups I use in a aero clone chamber. they seemed to root faster than they do when I trimmed them according to the method I have been using for decades. Anybody else ever do cuttings without trimming them? Some of the big fan leaves dried out some, some leaves became brittle on the end and dead, but the roots seemed to develop faster. My reasoning was that maybe the leaves provide more benefit to the plant by donating nutrients than they benefit because of less surface area. I guess relative humidity plays a role but not that much, my cuttings were uncovered in a relatively dry room 60%. Any other experiences on the matter?

I like this idea! I did not think aero cloning could get any easier! 95% success and now I don't need to hack up my clones? I'm in.

 

[JacFlasche]

I used to cut them + add some half strength nutrients, I then read about the clones using mobile elements from the leafs and water being sufficient to root, I tried water only no cutting and it works fine.

In my present setup I cannot independently control the nutes for my cuttings because it is just one circuit of three aero chambers. Two for growing and one for rooting, and they all run off the same pump, and accumulator. I was kind of concerned that the nutes would be too strong for the cuttings, but it didn't seem to matter at all. Maybe it is the Malangi genetics in the hybrid I am using. It is ridiculously vigorous. I thought I was making some kind of discovery and you guys were doing it all along lol. On the other hand when I use to have a separate cloning chamber with it's own water I did only use water. For some reason I never even considered using nutes.

cutting them reduces respiration, big leaves, yes I do trim, small cuts no. I use tapwater for clones as reduces rot, roots before rot is a race. Some like trims some don't.

Roots before rot. Gotta get the tshirt on that one. Meaningful on several levels.