Cloning the hard way

[journeyquest]

Its hard to keep these clones alive while they root. Overwatering, underwatering. These peet pellets dry up fast. I almost need to tend to these 3 times a day. The canopy made them too wet. Then i opened it and they dryed out fast. Thier barely hanging on. I almost think i should have just planted them in a pot to begin with. Like the seedlings.

 

[shushslo]

I almost think i should have just planted them in a pot to begin with. Like the seedlings.

I also think this would be best idea if you have this kind of problems....

 

[Hash Man]

well lets explore some possibilities... can you explain your environment... cloning is very simple... but easy to overthink as a beginner.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Hang in there, dude. Took me months to get a single survivor. Now, I can't remember the last time I lost one. I your present method doesn't work, try a new one: Perlite, bubbler, coco ...

 

[Phillthy]

Take the peat pellets and place them in a container like a baking pan. pour jsut enough water to line the bottom of the pan. if the pellets were moist to start they will only soak up the water as needed leaving you to tend to other things for a day or so. hope that helps!

 

[purpdaddy]

RW always works the best for me.It holds water and plenty o2

 

[EvilTwin]

JQ,
Everyone has their own favorite technique. Mine is to use a humidity dome and peat or rockwool. That keeps humidity up and wilting down. And it's inexpensive.

You should describe your whole technique so we can spot where you might be going wrong.
ET

 

[journeyquest]

2 of the 4 clones are alive for sure the other 2 im not sure. Will transplant in the next couple days and start flowering 12/12 for the moms. Will have to isolate the clones and set under 18hr veg for now. Will a single CFL keep the 2 clones alive for a couple months?

 

[Nughit]

The plants wont get big but you might be able to nurse them along for a couple of months with a CFL.

 

[EvilTwin]

Cloning with dome

Cloning with dome

Hi JQ,
I'm currently re-starting from seed and choosing clone Mommas and such, so I've been cloning alot lately. I'll tell you how I clone, so that you can see one technique that works.

Choosing the cutting can make a difference. The soft top growing shoot is more vulnerable to wilting. Lower stiffer branches seem to do better,

With rockwool, I don't bother with the whole conditioning routine. I just soak them overnight in ph 6 RO water. Then a good wrist flick to remove some of the water before using. With peat pucks...once hydrated, I'll squeeze gently to ensure they aren't sopping wet.

Once I take the cutting, I place in a bowl of cold water. That shocks the cutting and slows metablolism. If I'm making multiple cuttings off one clone Momma, I do it all at once and they will stay viable in the water. Never leave cuttings laying around otherwise.

I scrape the stem gently using a clean scalpel and make a few gentle cuts around the circumference (scarification) which allows easy absorption of the rooting hormones.

Final move is to slice the bottom at a 45 degree angle, roll in rooting powder and immediately into the rockwool cube and under the dome.

I think never giving them a chance to wilt is the key. I leave them under the dome (airing daily) for 4 or 5 days and start removing the dome for awhile to help them get used to life outside the dome. I don't spray clones directly, but I do mist the inside of the dome to add humidity. Generally the cubes won't dry out enough to need watering, but if they do, I just use my sprayer set for a water stream. I find overcrowding in the dome can cause problems (mildew). See attached picture for my usual clone density in tray.

Soon as roots pop out the bottom of the cube (5-10 days), then they're ok to go into dirt or coco or whatever. The first full day out can be critical so I keep watch on them. If they show signs of wilting a bit, I'll give them a fine misting.

Hope that helps some...
ET

PS: I normally prefer the 1.5" cubes, but I had these 2" ones that needed to be used.

 

[journeyquest]

3 of my 4 clones didnt make it, the 4th looks alive but no roots after 17 days. What a big waste of time.

 

[Sativa_Grows]

3 of my 4 clones didnt make it, the 4th looks alive but no roots after 17 days. What a big waste of time.

Aero cloning is the way to go man

 

[MobbDeep]

these are 2 very simple methods iv used..

1.fill pot with about a couple inches of wet perlite

2.put rockwool,peat pellet,etc ( i use rapid rooters) "dug" into the perlite

3.mist water in the pot,then cover the pot with plastic cling wrap ( i use glad cling wrap)

4.hang cfl over the pot and keep the inside humid,and warm


you can also use this method,but with a clear container with a top..i buy some sweet bread that comes with a big round clear conatiner with a lid..this wrks PERFECTLY for me..

 

[SaltyBalls]

i have a friend who couldnt root anything for the life of him so after months of dead end roads i showed him this link http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=787 and hes a champ now check it out

 

[chytil151]

I made 1 of those ez cloners from this thread here http://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=40055 and just use regular R/O water temped at 75 to 78f w/ a little olivia's liquid and in 4 to 5 days there is roots coming from everywhere and it only cost me about $30.00 for the pump,misters,and pvc pipe i had the tote lying around. Try all different ways experiment see which way work's best for u and run w/ it .

 

[tintala]

100% succes with DIY aero cloner/ ALso get good succes with rockwool /dome.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydaSi6raugQ

remember the finer th mist the more hairs ,finer roots will develop. The more stronger the stream the longer the roots.

 

[headiez247]

When in doubt, go old school method. Simple rapid rooters + dome. Cheap and reliable. 100% success rate for me and I take 25 cuttings every day, 7 days a week.

10 days later I have crazy roots. Could probably plant them at day 8 but I like to see the explosion.