to dome or not to dome, that is the question...

[sero!]

hi people!



lately i was wondering about the use (or not) of humidity domes when it´s time to clone... and why so much wondering? Because when i started growing never doubted about this system, allways used domes, it´s written everywhere and all the people seems to like them, so why not? But after reading that freezerboy and some other members don´t use them, i decided to give a try, and compare results. So last sunday (09-20-09)i took 2 sets of clones from the same mother, and put them under the same lights that i usually use, one under a dome, the other one left uncover. That´s not gonna reveal us all the truth about this, it´s only a small test, but if it works for me i will be glad to save money and time on those! you?

It will be great to have your input, pls post here whether you use them or not, why and if you have ever tried wthouth them. I´ve just started, let´s hear you people and your dome experiences of any kinds...





* dome vs no dome day 1 (09-21-09)


no dome:

dome:

* dome vs no dome day 2 (09-22-09)



no dome:

dome:

* dome vs no dome day 3 (09-23-09)



no dome:

dome:

 

[LlamaSchool]

I go both ways. I don't think it makes a huge difference either way as I always have pretty good success regardless (at least 80% on a bad day).

With the dome, watch for mold growing on the surface of your medium but you don't have to worry so much about stuff drying out.

Without the dome, you simply have to keep an eye on moisture a little better.

In the humidity of the summer (right now) I definitely don't think it's necessary. Perhaps when we see 30% rh in the winter it would be more important.

 

[aceofspades]

Good question/test! I am using a dome as we speak as well as a bubble cloner....Pretty good results with the dome so far, going on round two as well....Let us know!

Ace

 

[sero!]

thank you guys for the feedback!


LlamaSchool: i´ve started this thread because I´m thinking that domes hurts more than helps, i´ve noticed that all is fine until starting to open them to let air in (ussually 3 or 4 days before taking them) then they start to yellow. But it works for you, and that´s the fun of it... as freezerboy says ¨cloning is voodoo¨ and yep, it seem to be true. Thank you for sharing your experience!


aceofspades: thank you for sharing!

 

[overmind1632]

thank you guys for the feedback!


LlamaSchool: i´ve started this thread because I´m thinking that domes hurts more than helps, i´ve noticed that all is fine until starting to open them to let air in (ussually 3 or 4 days before taking them) then they start to yellow. But it works for you, and that´s the fun of it... as freezerboy says ¨cloning is voodoo¨ and yep, it seem to be true. Thank you for sharing your experience!


aceofspades: thank you for sharing!

Agreed, domes do more harm then good. So don't use a dome when cloning.

I don't use one and have like over 95% success at cloning.

 

[JazzJazz]

No i never use a dome either...i may lose 1-2 clones at the most.
In my opinion you don't want to much moisture on the leafs as this slows down the clones necessity to develop a root. I use peat pucks and honey on the cut stem and once the puck is almost dry after 4-5 days ( sometimes yellowing takes 7-10 depending on strain )and the yellowing starts , i know the roots are starting to kick into gear.At this point i will light water the pucks again and were off to the races.
IMHO Dome = slow initial root development.

Peace,
Jazz

 

[EvilTwin]

Hi Sero!,
I'm interested in the results of your test. I use domes, but lately I've been re-thinking it. I agree that having no dome stresses to cutting to grow roots...but I also feel that losses can occur with no-dome unless you have decent humidity.

Maybe it does take a little longer with a dome. But if the cuttings survive and root but just a little slower...then what's the difference?

I very rarely lose a clone using a dome and I've recently discovered that the ones I do lose seem to be related to my scarification technique.

So I'm still using domes, but am keeping the vent holes open from day 1, and occasionally take off the dome to give them a little real-world stress.
ET

 

[krk]

Why did you cut the leaves? Next...

 

[Mr. Stinky]

i use a dome or cover the top for the first day or 2. the 100% humidity kills lots of bugs that might find there way in. in the winter, i leave the top partially on since the air gets very dry

 

[PuReKnOwLeDgE]

I just got my quickest roots ever with a dome. Dome, peat plugs, clonex, heating mat, got multiple long roots and already have fine oxygen hair roots in just under 6 days.

 

[nomaad]

Great thread. Not conclusive on the hypothesis (as you stated), but we have definitely learned something valid.

I always thought that the purpose of the dome was to help maintain moisture in the root zone in very small chunks of rooting medium. if you keep your medium hydrated, the ambient temp to the leaves doesn't matter. I am no cloning expert, this is just the way I have the whole thing understood. any science that contributes to a better understanding of this is appreciated.

 

[sero!]

yesterday pics

no dome:

no dome:

 

[sero!]

No i never use a dome either...i may lose 1-2 clones at the most.
In my opinion you don't want to much moisture on the leafs as this slows down the clones necessity to develop a root. I use peat pucks and honey on the cut stem and once the puck is almost dry after 4-5 days ( sometimes yellowing takes 7-10 depending on strain )and the yellowing starts , i know the roots are starting to kick into gear.At this point i will light water the pucks again and were off to the races.
IMHO Dome = slow initial root development.

Peace,
Jazz

i totally agree with you, i also think that domes slows root development, i noticed that they keep the plants happy until i start to open them, then they wilt, because they don´t have root enough. thank you for the input!

 

[sero!]

Hi Sero!,
I'm interested in the results of your test. I use domes, but lately I've been re-thinking it. I agree that having no dome stresses to cutting to grow roots...but I also feel that losses can occur with no-dome unless you have decent humidity.

Maybe it does take a little longer with a dome. But if the cuttings survive and root but just a little slower...then what's the difference?

I very rarely lose a clone using a dome and I've recently discovered that the ones I do lose seem to be related to my scarification technique.

So I'm still using domes, but am keeping the vent holes open from day 1, and occasionally take off the dome to give them a little real-world stress.
ET

hi et!

maybe the diference is that you leave the dome open, i keep mines closed for the first two oe three days, and when start to open a corner for ventilation is when the problem begins. Im tired of domes,that why i decided to try without them, i´ve notices that many people don´t use them, i think it´s posible, we´ll see...


thanks for sharing!

 

[sero!]

Mr. Stinky , PuReKnOwLeDgEm and nomaad thank you for the input, it´s very interesting to hear other people experience and thoughts, as this seems to be one of those things that gives different results to each grower.


come on people, let´s hear your experience!

 

[FreezerBoy]

but I also feel that losses can occur with no-dome unless you have decent humidity.

Maybe it does take a little longer with a dome. But if the cuttings survive and root but just a little slower...then what's the difference?

Such a loss would most likely come from dried out medium or cuts of excessive size. While my hygrometer bottoms out at 20%, according to the local airport I've cloned as low as 15% RH.

I've found no speed difference in dome/no-dome other than no-dome cuts need not be weaned and so start their veg stage as much as a week earlier. The cuts origin point makes a huge speed difference. Tops root in 3-5 days. Tips from the bottom shoots in 10-14.

Note: If your way works (whichever it is) KEEP IT! try experiments on the side but never surrender the proven method until another proves superior.

Why did you cut the leaves? Next...

Stems and leaves require support from the roots in the form of water. The more plant material above ground, the more the plant has to drink to support it. Why are we cloning? Because we have no roots, cannot drink and thus have no water to support large stems or leaves. Excessive plant material is a major cause for the need of domes.

i noticed that they keep the plants happy until i start to open them, then they wilt, because they don´t have root enough.

You have the same "weaning" problem I had. As much as 60% of my cuts died in the process. It could be excessive material/lack of roots or, it could be they've become acclimated to dangerously high humidity levels. Once they get used to it, They hate to give it up.

Because of your soil in the icecube setup, perhaps strips of kitchen plastic wrap between the cuts would keep moisture in the soil but, leave cuts in the air?

 

[habeeb]

in coco, dome for sure

 

[EvilTwin]

I always thought that the purpose of the dome was to help maintain moisture in the root zone in very small chunks of rooting medium. if you keep your medium hydrated, the ambient temp to the leaves doesn't matter.

nomaad,
My understanding is that the dome was to provide a high RH to the leaves. To minimize transpiration. Since with no roots, the uptake of moisture is very low...it's best to avoid losing much moisture.

With low relative humidity, the stem just can't keep up and so wilting occurs. This is the same reason we clip clone leaves...to minimize transpiration.

I suspect that it's a balancing act related to relative humidity, leaf surface area and the ability of the stem to take in water before roots form.
ET

 

[nomaad]

I suspect that it's a balancing act related to relative humidity, leaf surface area and the ability of the stem to take in water before roots form.
ET

makes sense.

 

[Vegan]

I just got my quickest roots ever with a dome. Dome, peat plugs, clonex, heating mat, got multiple long roots and already have fine oxygen hair roots in just under 6 days.

nice