I take my clones the night before the 12/12 cycle. Which really isn't a good thing to do because if for some unknown reason my clones should happen to die, i'm screwed. I only keep three mothers around, but that is only because they are rare strains that I have babied since the late 70's. Now days I veg my plants, then take clones (no mother plants except those stated bove). I have taken clones from male plants while in the 12/12 cycle and it took about two weeks longer than if they had come from the vegging cycle.
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