Real quick... few questions about cloning.

1) when I cut a branch off from the mom, does the mom grow a replacement branch in the same spot?

2) If so is there a best way to cut a clone to ensure replacement branch growth?

3) how many clones can I safely cut off each mom; 33% of the branches, 50% of the branches, 75% of the branches etc?

4) how soon can i start using nutes on my clones?

thanks
T

When you cut one off it will grow 2 back such is the idea of pruning. And I am not sure exactly what is safe but you do not want to take too many branches off, but I am not sure on exact %. Once you know they have rooted and grown a little you can proceed to feed.

1) new shoots (branches) will come out of any nodes left

2) get our momma big and bushy so that you have a lot of thin shoots. One of my personal rules of cloning is to not cut branches that have grown 'woody', take clones from branches that are still bendy.

3) get her bushy enough so that taking clones thins her out a bit, I doubt 50% of the branches are clone worthy, and cutting/pruning a plant that much will cause more shock than cutting less off.

4) I start feeding them 'root juice' (insert your favorite brand name here) as soon as I put the rooted clones in soil, and start giving them carbo/grow (low strength, increase as they get bigger till I reach what I consider 'veg amounts') at the end of week one after being planted in soil.

thanks for the replies.

ommp: My moms are only about a month old so the branches are not woody at all yet.

1) is it best to take clone cuttings from the bottom or the top?

please advise
T

It's best to take clones from the bottom as these are the most established branches.

^Exactly. It's best to remove the lower branches, and leave the upper ones that receive the most light intensity. As long as you leave a decent amount of foliage at the top of them, they'll be fine. Those, are the plants main source of energy.

Thanks!

does anyone know what % of the branches i can safely cut from the moms?

That percentage could vary depending on the size of the mom. How many times have you clipped it so far? Is it bushy yet?
I do use the tops too for clones, they do take a bit longer to root but they do root. I use whatever new growth is viable for the clone, at least 3 nodes.
I soak my rockwool in a Groyzyme mix before the clones go in. The feeding starts once they are rooted and into another medium. I also use rooting gel.

You could probably remove 75% if you leave the largest tops and fan leaves alone. The lower branches don't absorb much light anyway, so it doesn't hurt the plant much, when you remove them. Just don't butcher her too bad, and she'll be okay.lol

Thanks for the replies! great help. I got another Q:

When is the best time to clone? I read a long time ago that night is best so they start the root process right away as opposed to cloning during the day which causes more stress and is less efficient.

Is this true?
thanks
T