vtm760
Active Member
im still a pretty noob grower but i have been cloning long enough that i've got it down to a science. with this method not only will your roots be showing usually within 1 week but also your clone will root like never before, you will have 10 - 15 roots blasting through on your 2nd day of roots showing. i dont use a heat mat because its about 75 - 80 where my clones are and the mat isnt necessary, for you using one might work better, try it if you'd like but i found that it isnt necessary.
preperation of rapid rooters / RW cubes:
this method of cloning is just like any other except prior to cloning you will need to soak your Rockwool / rapid rooters in 50% ewc tea and 50% ph 6 - 6.5 non chlorinated water. let the medium soak and absorb water / tea then give it a little squeze to remove excess water (this is key you do not want your RR / RW too wet it will greatly hinder your rooting)
i personally have used RW, and RR and i think the rapid rooters are a little superior.
they are certainly a little more expensive but worth it.
preparation of earth worm casting tea:
1 bucket or container
1 cup Earth Worm Casting (EWC)
1 gallon distilled or non-chlorinated water
1 dual outlet air pump with airstones on the end.
directions for making: put your EWC in a stalking or panty hose or w/e you can use as a "tea bag". put 1 air stone in your tea bag w/ EWC. put one air stone at bottom of bucket or container turn on air pump and let run for 48 hours. remove equipment and "tea bag". store in refrigerator for up to 9 - 10 days (if it smells throw it out.)
preparation of clones / cuttings:
first make your cuts with a 45 degree angle. remove all unnecessary branches/leaves except the top set. cut your remaining leaves in 1/2 to reduce transpiration (and so you can easily fit more in your prop tray.) next place your cutting in a cup of water (or something similar - i usually fit about 10 cuts per cup) and set aside until ready to move on.
finishing steps for your clones:
after you have all your cuts made and sitting in water grab your prep'd RR/RW and grab your cuts 1 at a time and using a razor blade scarify the top 1/2 inch above the 45 degree cut to make more surface area for rooting (if you are not familiar with this i suggest you google scarification of clones before trying). after you have scarified next dip your cutting in rooting gel or powder - i like clonex gel but powders work good too. after dipping in solution slide it into your cube, you want to make sure it is in securely and not make sure the stem isn't poking out anywhere. after that put the clone in your prop tray, repeat until all your clones are made. then mist leaves with your spray bottle and cover with prop lid and put under florescent lighting. take cover off atleast once a day for a few minutes and blow on plants to get some fresh CO2 to them every day.
TIP: ALWAYS USE SPACERS IN YOUR PROP TRAY - I USE A 72 COUNT PROP TRAY THAT DOESNT LET MY RR SIT ALL THE WAY INSIDE THE HOLE, THE TOP 1/2 INCH OF THE RR STICKS UP OUT OF THE SPACER SO THE CLONE IS EASY TO REMOVE LATER FOR RE-WATERING OR TO CHECK FOR ROOTS, THIS IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE YOU DONT WANT TO TRY TO PULL YOUR CLONE OUT BY THE STEM AND HAVE IT SLIDE OUT OF YOUR CUBE AND FORCE YOU TO START THE PROCESS OVER AGAIN. ALSO I DONT PUT CLONES IN THE OUTER HOLES OF THE PROP TRAY. THE PROP TRAY IS 6 X 12 HOLES AND I USE THE INNER 4 X 10. THIS ISN'T ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY BUT IT REALLY MAKES GETTING THE LID ON AND OFF A LOT EASIER.
watering your clones:
ok after 2 or 3 days after you started your clones your RR should start to get pretty dry. when you go to water your clones use the 50/50 EWC tea / ph 6 - 6.5 water. i do them 1 by 1 and i pull them out of the spacers dip them in the EWC solution for a couple seconds and then squeeze a little bit of water back out of the RR (until its not dripping on its own) and then put it back in the spacer. you will probably need to repeat this watering every 2/3 days until roots are showing.
FEEL FREE TO POST ANY COMMENTS QUESTIONS OR ANY OTHER HELPFUL ADVICE OR CORRECTIONS BELOW AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CLONING EVERYONE!!
preperation of rapid rooters / RW cubes:
this method of cloning is just like any other except prior to cloning you will need to soak your Rockwool / rapid rooters in 50% ewc tea and 50% ph 6 - 6.5 non chlorinated water. let the medium soak and absorb water / tea then give it a little squeze to remove excess water (this is key you do not want your RR / RW too wet it will greatly hinder your rooting)
i personally have used RW, and RR and i think the rapid rooters are a little superior.
they are certainly a little more expensive but worth it.
preparation of earth worm casting tea:
1 bucket or container
1 cup Earth Worm Casting (EWC)
1 gallon distilled or non-chlorinated water
1 dual outlet air pump with airstones on the end.
directions for making: put your EWC in a stalking or panty hose or w/e you can use as a "tea bag". put 1 air stone in your tea bag w/ EWC. put one air stone at bottom of bucket or container turn on air pump and let run for 48 hours. remove equipment and "tea bag". store in refrigerator for up to 9 - 10 days (if it smells throw it out.)
preparation of clones / cuttings:
first make your cuts with a 45 degree angle. remove all unnecessary branches/leaves except the top set. cut your remaining leaves in 1/2 to reduce transpiration (and so you can easily fit more in your prop tray.) next place your cutting in a cup of water (or something similar - i usually fit about 10 cuts per cup) and set aside until ready to move on.
finishing steps for your clones:
after you have all your cuts made and sitting in water grab your prep'd RR/RW and grab your cuts 1 at a time and using a razor blade scarify the top 1/2 inch above the 45 degree cut to make more surface area for rooting (if you are not familiar with this i suggest you google scarification of clones before trying). after you have scarified next dip your cutting in rooting gel or powder - i like clonex gel but powders work good too. after dipping in solution slide it into your cube, you want to make sure it is in securely and not make sure the stem isn't poking out anywhere. after that put the clone in your prop tray, repeat until all your clones are made. then mist leaves with your spray bottle and cover with prop lid and put under florescent lighting. take cover off atleast once a day for a few minutes and blow on plants to get some fresh CO2 to them every day.
TIP: ALWAYS USE SPACERS IN YOUR PROP TRAY - I USE A 72 COUNT PROP TRAY THAT DOESNT LET MY RR SIT ALL THE WAY INSIDE THE HOLE, THE TOP 1/2 INCH OF THE RR STICKS UP OUT OF THE SPACER SO THE CLONE IS EASY TO REMOVE LATER FOR RE-WATERING OR TO CHECK FOR ROOTS, THIS IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE YOU DONT WANT TO TRY TO PULL YOUR CLONE OUT BY THE STEM AND HAVE IT SLIDE OUT OF YOUR CUBE AND FORCE YOU TO START THE PROCESS OVER AGAIN. ALSO I DONT PUT CLONES IN THE OUTER HOLES OF THE PROP TRAY. THE PROP TRAY IS 6 X 12 HOLES AND I USE THE INNER 4 X 10. THIS ISN'T ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY BUT IT REALLY MAKES GETTING THE LID ON AND OFF A LOT EASIER.
watering your clones:
ok after 2 or 3 days after you started your clones your RR should start to get pretty dry. when you go to water your clones use the 50/50 EWC tea / ph 6 - 6.5 water. i do them 1 by 1 and i pull them out of the spacers dip them in the EWC solution for a couple seconds and then squeeze a little bit of water back out of the RR (until its not dripping on its own) and then put it back in the spacer. you will probably need to repeat this watering every 2/3 days until roots are showing.
FEEL FREE TO POST ANY COMMENTS QUESTIONS OR ANY OTHER HELPFUL ADVICE OR CORRECTIONS BELOW AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CLONING EVERYONE!!
