100% Perlite Cloning Question ? ? ?

[Squeeky]

Well after I killed 8 of 8 clones in my DIY aerocloner I'm thinking of trying 100% Perlite. Now I want to say I think the cloner will work, as they died before I could check my pH, at 8.5-9 I'm sure the planet hated it. Now I have ph down and ready to try again.

As I am new to growing I want to practice the tech, prior to attempting on strain. I have roughly 5 seedlings going and I would like to bonsai them to sex early. I would like to also keep each clone separate in order to keep things organized.

I like the KISS tech of Dr.Bud so I am planning on air tight containers with 3oz cups. However how much perlite should I use in each cup. I also realize they leave nute solution at the bottom, how much?

My goal is to clone early, sex, and keep up to 3 females for future clones. I hope to get cloning down, move to SOG, and if all goes well get some good seeds and start a real grow.

 

[roughnice420]

I did exactly what Dr Bud said and I've had 100% success with 3 separate batches. I didn't put any cups inside the container. I bought a clear shoebox sized container and filled with perlite, and then put a 1/2" of water with superthrive in the bottom. Just look up his thread and follow his method exactly and it should work great.

peace

 

[bostrom155]

Look for the perlite wick system, its the only one that worked for me..and its easy

 

[cork144]

I did exactly what Dr Bud said and I've had 100% success with 3 separate batches. I didn't put any cups inside the container. I bought a clear shoebox sized container and filled with perlite, and then put a 1/2" of water with superthrive in the bottom. Just look up his thread and follow his method exactly and it should work great.

peace

also had good success with perlite cloner, my first attempt using it i had 4/6 rooted at 4 days

 

[brider8122]

i also done that plastic shoebox thing with ph water on the bottom with a wick system and FFOS and perlite on top and all 16 clones rooted in a couple of weeks.also a air stone in the bottom.

 

[Quazi]

Check out Grat3fulH3ad's thread:
Super Cheap Mass Cloner

Should also help to get you started.

-Q

 

[petemoss]

I tried it exactly as DrBud described and it works, but it took me three attempts before I got over 50% survival rate. This is what I think is important with this method:

1. Fill your airtight container with about 2"-2.5" of perlite and soak with water. Let it stand for an hour or so until the perlite is thoroughly soaked, then pour off excess water, leaving 1/2" of water at the bottom of the container.

2. Press down on the perlite to pack it tight and eliminate pockets of air. This will help the perlite wick up water.

3. Pack the perlite around the stem. You want maximum stem-to-media contact with no big empty spaces, especially at the bottom of the stem. I use a wooden golf tee.

4. Use a root warming mat to keep root zone temps about 75-85 def F. A cookie sheet with a lightbulb underneath will work if you don't have a heating mat. Keep clones under weak diffused lighting.

5. Close the container and leave it alone for about a week at 100% humidity. Then start to "burp" the clones by lifting the lid every day for about an hour then replace the cover.

6. After 10-14 days, you should see some yellowing of the clones, indicating that they have rooted.

 

[FreezerBoy]

I tried it exactly as DrBud described and it works, but it took me three attempts before I got over 50% survival rate.

This is the most important thing to remember. DON"T GIVE UP! Persevere. Keep trying different things. It took me half a dozen cracks to get a single survivor. Now, with a 100% success rate, I'm still trying new ways.

 

[raiders420]

I know this thread is a month old, but I have searched for hours and this thread has helped the most.

If there is 2 inches of perlite and a half inch of water there is 1.5 inches of space.

How far into the perlite does the clone go, do you want the stem of the clone touching the water, just above the water level, or 1 inch above the water level?

 

[Squeeky]

Hey I originally started this thread and attempted with little to no success for me. I then tried the walmart ice cube tray / 100% Verm setup . 10 days later all but 1 of 10 clones rooted well. I will continue to use this method.

 

[spaceghost22]

Very nice thread Squeeky! This will help get many growers to the next level! I myself have tried a couple things but nothing seemed to work (I wasn't serious about cloning). Now I have my two bonsai ladies flowering and plan on a reveg then it's CLONE TIME for spring/summer/fall.

 

[roughnice420]

I know this thread is a month old, but I have searched for hours and this thread has helped the most.

If there is 2 inches of perlite and a half inch of water there is 1.5 inches of space.

How far into the perlite does the clone go, do you want the stem of the clone touching the water, just above the water level, or 1 inch above the water level?

You want the bottom of the cut to be just above the 1/2" layer of water, not in it. Also, I'd recommend start burping after 2 days. I burp after 2 days and every day thereafter, I usually have a few rooted after 4 days, and 100% by about day 10 or 11.