can i transplant clones from the water cloning method to rockwool

[dharmagirl]

after a couple of failures while trying to clone in rockwool i decided to try the water cloning method while i did some research on why i was failing with rockwool. I have now found out what my mistakes were and i was wondering if the clones that i currently have in water could be transfered to finish off their development in rockwool. They have only been in the water that i have added some cloning gel to for 4 days and i cant see any root growth yet but then i wouldnt expect to at this early stage.
I did try using rockwool on one of my new clones and i seem to have success so i have definetly sorted my probs out i think.

Also one more quick question which is better cloning gel or the powder in your experiences, like i said i would be hoping to use rockwool when cloning.

Thanks everyone
D

 

[edsthreads]

If you are cloning into Rockwool make sure you soak it in the ph'd water for 24 hours prior to transplanting - as for the rooting gel/powder i'm using gel & works well for me so far...

 

[dharmagirl]

i had soaked the rockwool so that wasnt the problem, what i think happened which i eventually sorted out was that the clones were too small for the hole that i made and so there was little contact with the rockwool itself and also i think the actual rockwool cubes i was using were too big i was using the 1 inch cubes were i should of been using the 1/2 inch cubes.
The new clones that i have include some blueberry which i dont want to lose because its supposed to be good for my pain so i really want to get them into rockwool from the water that i have them in now if possible so would it still be possible to transplant them into the rockwool?

 

[midgradeindasouth]

Yes.
Just make sure the rockwool envelops the stem and roots.

 

[babygro]

Also one more quick question which is better cloning gel or the powder in your experiences, like i said i would be hoping to use rockwool when cloning.

hiya dharmagirl

I doubt very much if it was the size of cubes or the hole that caused your first clones to fail. Personally I wouldn't bother with rockwool for clones, I think it's crap, if you're growing in soil and not hydro I'd be looking for some Fleximix cubes or some Root Riot cubes if you can get them where you are - far far better than nasty rockwool. You'd be better off just using seedling potting soil to be honest than rockwool.

I use Root Riot cubes and get 100% success rate with my clones.

There's a number of tips for clones:

1) make sure you take a 'meristem' growing tip as a clone source
2) make sure you drop it straight into water as soon as you've taken the clone
3) make sure you dip it into rooting hormone like Clonex before putting into the cubes
4) make sure you keep the soil/Fleximix cube/rockwool moist but not wet
5) make sure your clones are kept in a propagator with the lid on and mist them at least twice a day

Clones are delicate and need nurturing. They require a little light, warmth and moisture to keep them alive whilst they develop a root system for uptaking water and nutrients. IF you don't look after them carefully and watch them closely they'll die.

Regarding cloning hormones I don't think it matters, just select one that works for you. I use Clonex cloning gel, it works for me so I stick with it.

 

[dharmagirl]

i havent heard of these before and i hdn't read anything about anybody using them on this site before but i have had a look to see if i can get them in england which i can so when i run out of my current supply of rockwool i will try some i think. I had read somewhere that using jiffy cubes or anything like it isnt good for the plants but i suppose i have to try these things for myself.
I have planted my water clones in the rockwool this morning and hopefully they should take.

 

[beenthere donethat]

I've yet to see root riot cubes in the US...or flex mix...so i think you might be in luck if yer in the UK. Made by the same folks that make Ionic...which we *can* get...

over here the same company offer cubes with rooting gel already in em but I've never tried em.

good luck

bt dt

 

[dharmagirl]

And it has now all gone wrong!!!!!

I transplanted the clones that i put in water into the rockwool and all but 1 have died

When i transplanted them i was so very careful, i dipped them in some more cloning gel and very gently put them in some rockwool, 6 days later and the stalks had withered and died except the one that survived where there is no sign at all of withering, although i shouldnt hold my breath i suppose.

So where did i go wrong

 

[dharmagirl]

Its still going wrong!!!

When i checked the 1 remaining clone this morning i nticed that the leaves are turning muddy brown colour from the stem towards the tips, although it is not all the leaves yet, Thinking back i have noticed this happening on the other clones before they died, the leaves that are doing this seem to be the same as what happened to the stems of the other clones that died

I must be doing something so wrong for this to happen, so does anybody have any idea what is happening

 

[babygro]

I must be doing something so wrong for this to happen, so does anybody have any idea what is happening

What light are you using ?

 

[dharmagirl]

for my clones i am using a 11 watt cfl which is kept about 2ft away from the clones which are kept in a heated bottomed propagator which i have been keeping humid. The rockwool cubes have been lifted from the base of the propagator by about 1/2 inch.

The propagator is not kept in either my veg or flowering rooms so they are not getting any excess light

It is only the parts of the stalk that are in the rockwool and the leaves that this is happening to

 

[babygro]

for my clones i am using a 11 watt cfl which is kept about 2ft away from the clones

There's either 'the' problem or at least one of them.

I have mine under a 20w CFL which puts out about 1200 lumens and I have it about 2 or 3 inches from the prop dome. The light this close serves two functions (for me at least) 1) it provides sufficent light for the clones and 2) it provides a little heat to keep the humidity high in the propagator.

Your 11w CFL is probably only putting out about 6-700 lumens at 1 foot. At two feet it's putting out 700/2x2 = 175 lumens, which isn't enough and is probably one of the reasons your clones leaves are going brown - they're not getting enough light!

Move that light to an inch or two away from the prop dome surface, and/or switch it for a 20w one.

It's true that clones are still developing roots, but they still have to photosynthesise, as light is the only real 'food' they get to synthesise sugars from co2, light and water. Photosynthesis reduces for clones, but it still operates at a lower level.

 

[dharmagirl]

i had read somewhere that it was best to have a low light level and a low wattage bulb but i guess i took it to the extreme so i have now moved the light back down to just above the dome.

would it help the clones development any by having a co2 source in the propagator itself?

 

[nobody]

what kind of setup are the rockcubes in? how often are you adjusting the pH and watering them

 

[chris uk]

Can anybody help me ?.
I am trying to find the best way to start growing seeds in rockwool cubes i dont know what the best and safest way would be

 

[rezo]

start the seeds in a wash rag when the root pops out put them in rockwool in a dark warm place until leaves are present then introduce them to low light.
keep them moist not wet that is the key