cloning question

The more i look into cloning, the more complicated it seems to get. Ive read so much, and have concluded that everyone does it differently, but i want to understand the basic requirments b4 i chop up my plant. Hopefully you can shed light (pun intended) on these questions:
1- Speaking of light, what do clones need for light right after they are taken? Are fluros only best for rooting, or should they be used through vegitation?
2- How long should cuttings be? ive heard they can be as small as 3 inches... it makes sense to me that if a 3'' branch will grow roots, a 9'' branch will too
3- Since clones are technically as old as their mother, i would assume they should be ready for nutes as soon as they have roots. Are there any ferts that help root growth besides the rooting hormone and how early is it safe to fertilize clones? (ive heard superthrive works amazing)
Thanks for the help, hope we all can learn more, since i dont think people explain this topic good enogh. Thanks for the expected help

cut small, soft branches from bottom of plant, dip in cloning solution, drop in cup of water, put under cfl's for at least 16 hours a day, 2 weeks later you have 2 inch roots, pretty simple and works for me

Here and here are pretty basic explinations of cloning by mogie.

come_gr0w_with_us said:

The more i look into cloning, the more complicated it seems to get. Ive read so much, and have concluded that everyone does it differently, but i want to understand the basic requirments b4 i chop up my plant. Hopefully you can shed light (pun intended) on these questions:
1- Speaking of light, what do clones need for light right after they are taken? Are fluros only best for rooting, or should they be used through vegitation?
2- How long should cuttings be? ive heard they can be as small as 3 inches... it makes sense to me that if a 3'' branch will grow roots, a 9'' branch will too
3- Since clones are technically as old as their mother, i would assume they should be ready for nutes as soon as they have roots. Are there any ferts that help root growth besides the rooting hormone and how early is it safe to fertilize clones? (ive heard superthrive works amazing)
Thanks for the help, hope we all can learn more, since i dont think people explain this topic good enogh. Thanks for the expected help

Click to expand...

1 - Clones need 24h light, the reason why growers use fluoros its due to their low cost and also due to the fact that they produce far less heat so its easier to control temps and RH during the Clone Rooting Stage...I usually use fluoros in cloning and veging, this helps me to keep the power bill "soft"...although u can use fluoros to flower the final result won´t be as good as using HID (i´ve tried it and the yield dif made me switch to a 400w hps

2 - U can cut clones any size u want it really doesn´t matter as long as u perform the cloning process in any of the many ways there is, there are a few things u should consider b4 u take this job in to ur hands
a) The mother plant age (usually no less then 4 weeks...i usually go on 6 but that´s just me)
b) Mother plant condition (allways cut clones from the strongest, healthiest looking plant u can)
c) Cloning gear (scissors, rooting solution and so on...)
d) Housing (usually a dome and a couple of fluoros get the job done )

3 - As soon as the clones show roots u can start growing them in a "normal" veg cycle the advantage is that u wont need as much time to finish the cycle as u would if u were starting from seed (usually after 2 weeks in veg i throw them into the flower room )...Superthrive will do very well


Now the Job itself:


1. In a 5 gallon bucket, fill with 3 gallons of water

2. Add 13 drops of Superthrive per gallon (39 drops total)

3. Adjust PH level of water to 5.0

4. Add rockwool cubes to water and soak for 24 hours

5. Next day pull cubes out of water and extract 80% of the water from the cube

6. Put some of your cloning gel/powder into a clean small cup

7. Take some of the water you soaked the cubes in and put into a clean bowl

8. Cut clones and place cut end in the bowl of water for 20 minutes

9. Dip cuttings in gel/powder and insert cutting into cube

10. If hole provided in cube is not the right size, then make a new hole

11. Place cube with clone in it into humidity dome and put under 24 hours of light

12. Clean domes of moisture at least twice per day

13. In 4-5 days or when very dry, add small amount of water to each cube (dip cube in bowl of water about ½ way up)

If Superthrive is not available, Use another B1 product. (B52 / Vitamax / Thrive Alive)

Keep temps around 20ºc and RH around 85 (the higher u can the better)....Does this sound confusing???? Check out the Vids Sticky and watch how some dudes do it...home this helps...Peace

Thanks for the help. Good links & advice!

and one other thing, don't know if it was mentioned. you might want to get a warming mat. keep the soil warm to help root growth. don't use a heating mat, they don't regulate heat and could cuase a fire

wait... whats the difference between a heating mat and a warming mat..... I have a seed-starter heating mat that i planed on using on the clones

Is it designed to be used in a growroom or greenhouse...use it if it has temp control even better....just don´t use ur grannys electric blanket, u´ll prolly burn down the house....Peace

I actually think 18/6 is a better light schedule for clones becuase they need some darkness to focus on root growth. 24hr will not give the plant any time to rest.

I am with 18/6 if you use a heat mat watch moisture levels , they dry quick. I am using a capillary mat to spread a drip system. Works good