Clone rooting issues

[obijohn]

Never had an issue with clones rooting and growing well - until the past few years. I basically ended up with bonsai or just dead plants. When transplanting or simply emptying the pot I noticed the root system was not very well developed.

For context. I've always put clones under lights first few weeks to get them going, then move them outdoors in the sun in pots. In the past I've gotten 6 foot tall bushes.

I'm guessing the difference might be past few years I've gotten premium cuts versus seedlings, but not sure why that would be. Both come in cubes which I pop into Ocean Forest or Happy Frog. Whether the premium cuts or seedling, there's always some roots I can see growing out of the cubes.

I got my cuts the other day and put them in soil, and don't want the same thing to happen this year. Any recommendations for something to kickstart rooting, or any other tips?

 

[Herb & Suds]

My experience has been overwatering causes poor root development
Not sure if that is your issue but it could be
Reducing lighting can help boost root development as well

 

[obijohn]

Thanks. I typically wait until just before wilting starts to water. Would seedling grow roots any differently than premium cuts?

 

[Herb & Suds]

Thanks. I typically wait until just before wilting starts to water. Would seedling grow roots any differently than premium cuts?

Not really
Although first run plants tend to be more productive

 

[xtsho]

From what I've seen there's nothing premium about the cuts many people get. Most clones I've seen people get from some shop are unhealthy spindly looking clones. They look nothing like the healthy clones with a robust root system that I end up with when cloning or many of the clones I see people taking themselves. Then there is the potential for bugs and PM that seems to be quite common with commercial clones. I would go back to seeds myself.

 

[Herb & Suds]

From what I've seen there's nothing premium about the cuts many people get. Most clones I've seen people get from some shop are unhealthy spindly looking clones. They look nothing like the healthy clones with a robust root system that I end up with when cloning or many of the clones I see people taking themselves. Then there is the potential for bugs and PM that seems to be quite common with commercial clones. I would go back to seeds myself.

That’s funny
Every club I took cuts to
They raved about the condition
I always had them well rooted, green and pest free
I couldn’t understand the big deal till I saw others

 

[obijohn]

Just to clarify, at least with the clones I get that are called "premium" are like almost a branch, big with a fair amount of leaves and solid stem, versus the common, smaller clones or seedlings. They are more pricey but farther along, but I just have had issues with the roots developing. If these don't seem to be doing well in an few more weeks I may go back to the smaller ones

 

[xtsho]

Just to clarify, at least with the clones I get that are called "premium" are like almost a branch, big with a fair amount of leaves and solid stem, versus the common, smaller clones or seedlings. They are more pricey but farther along, but I just have had issues with the roots developing. If these don't seem to be doing well in an few more weeks I may go back to the smaller ones

You should just be able to plant them in soil, coco, or put them in a hydro system and grow.

 

[twentyeight.threefive]

Never had an issue with clones rooting and growing well - until the past few years. I basically ended up with bonsai or just dead plants. When transplanting or simply emptying the pot I noticed the root system was not very well developed.

For context. I've always put clones under lights first few weeks to get them going, then move them outdoors in the sun in pots. In the past I've gotten 6 foot tall bushes.

I'm guessing the difference might be past few years I've gotten premium cuts versus seedlings, but not sure why that would be. Both come in cubes which I pop into Ocean Forest or Happy Frog. Whether the premium cuts or seedling, there's always some roots I can see growing out of the cubes.

I got my cuts the other day and put them in soil, and don't want the same thing to happen this year. Any recommendations for something to kickstart rooting, or any other tips?

Proper care is your best bet for a healthy root system. If you are waiting to the point where they are almost wilting that may be too dry for them.

There's no difference in the root systems of premium or not cuts, just depends on how they were cared for.

My roots of recently rooted clones look like this before transplant.

 

[myke]

You use some sort of Myko product on the roots before transplant.Theirs cheap versions and expensive ones.I use the cheap ones.

 

[obijohn]

Nice! All my cubes have roots starting to grow out of them. It is possible I overwatered last year since they didnt seem to be growing and sometimes wilted., but when I went to transplant into a larger pot, the roots hadn't gotten close to filling up the current pot, but no signs of root rot. I think the wilting wasn't overwatering at that point, but since there were so many leaves letting out moisture that was why. I probably rushed them into direct sun too fast (like within a few days)

 

[obijohn]

I put them out in partial sun today for 4 hours or so (overcast so not a lot of direct sun) and they began wilting, especially one. Temp was in the 60's so not hot at all. The soil in the small pots is wet enough I know that can't be the issue. Put them back under the LED in the dayroom and misted heavily, although the wilted one isn't perking up much. I'm thinking that since the roots haven't grown from the cube into the soil yet, maybe they are losing moisture through the leaves. Should i keep doing this and hope for the best? They are only a few days old, got them Saturday and popped into soil when I got home

 

[calvin.m16]

What light are you using?
What are you putting the cuttings in? (e.g root riot, rapid rooter, foam plug)
What is your environment in the clone area, temps & humidity?
What water are you using, tap, well, RO?
Are you giving them plain water or nutrients?

Use the search feature and look up "Fox Farms problem" or "Fox Farms Issue" their quality is not so great man. That could be part of your problem but I'm not sure if you mean they die post-transplant from rooted cuttings or if you mean that your cuttings aren't rooting period.

Lots of missing information that we could use to help ya out.

Personally I get 100% success rate with my cuttings using a T5 6500k bulb above my tray & humidity dome, Root Riot plugs, Clonex Gel, PURE WATER, I mist foliage daily with plain water and spray cubes a little so they stay moist, within 7-14 days (depending on strain, cutting, etc) I have roots blasting out and the plant is ready for transplant.

Cold temperatures, low humidity and or too intense or weak of lighting can cause issues, spectrum is another thing to consider. I get the best results with 6500k spectrum T5, I've ran LUXX Clone LEDs, Mars Hydro LEDs and even a more recent light the NEXTLIGHT VEG8 and the plants did not like it even with vpd in check. Too intense and I feel like not the right spectrum.

 

[twentyeight.threefive]

I put them out in partial sun today for 4 hours or so (overcast so not a lot of direct sun) and they began wilting, especially one. Temp was in the 60's so not hot at all. The soil in the small pots is wet enough I know that can't be the issue. Put them back under the LED in the dayroom and misted heavily, although the wilted one isn't perking up much. I'm thinking that since the roots haven't grown from the cube into the soil yet, maybe they are losing moisture through the leaves. Should i keep doing this and hope for the best? They are only a few days old, got them Saturday and popped into soil when I got home

If you just transplanted them from cubes to soil why would you put them outside already. I would have gave them a little to form roots inside first.

Also even an overcast day is putting more light out than your grow light. You need to leave them in the shade for a few hours first to harden them off. Slowly add more time in the shade each day, then move to partial full light.

The cold temperatures aren't helping them any either.

 

[obijohn]

Never had any issues with Fox farms. I use an LED light. Clones came in the cubes, which I popped into a Happy Frog/Ocean Forest mix and dampened with tap water. No nutes yet since they haven't had time to (hopefully) develop roots. I don't really want to add more water, soil is still damp. It's rained a little on and off past week so I'd think there is humidity in the air, and misted last night and this morning, but the leaves are droopy looking on all the clones still.

I've always started putting my clones out a few hours in the sun over a few weeks period to get them used to it and never had any issues or burning. As I mentioned before, it's seems like they aren't getting enough moisture via the roots yet and are losing it through the leaves, since they are big and plentiful. I;ve grown this way successfully for years, just the past few years has this been an issue.

 

[Puff_Dragon]

One issue I had, with rooting clones, was transplanting them before enough root was growing out the block.
Now, I make sure I have at least about 5 roots growing out the block. And a couple, at least an inch long.
I had transplanted when only a few 'nibs' are poking out ..then, I found the fail rate was higher. And, easier to then overwater.
Leading to slow growth and sometimes plant death

Adding Myco products (for a fungal root network) at transplant, is great idea too.

 

[obijohn]

One issue I had, with rooting clones, was transplanting them before enough root was growing out the block.
Now, I make sure I have at least about 5 roots growing out the block. And a couple, at least an inch long.
I had transplanted when only a few 'nibs' are poking out ..then, I found the fail rate was higher. And, easier to then overwater.
Leading to slow growth and sometimes plant death

Adding Myco products (for a fungal root network) at transplant, is great idea too.

That may be why I possibly overwatered past few years. Last year and previous there were a lot of roots growing out of the cubes, just barely poking out this time around - although myself and the budtender did hold up the tray the clones were in to find the ones who seemed to have the best roots. I never thought about keeping them in cubes in a wet tray to let the roots grow more before putting in soil, may be thought