It's much easier than people say it is. If you're starting out with no experience cloning, do yourself a favor and KISS. DO NOT start with DIY bubble cloners, like I did. I wasted money and time and hassle I wish I hadn't. I started with Rubbermaids, bubble sticks, air pumps, tubing, and lots of DIY labor drilling holes, etc. Then there was all the hair pulling over what the fuck kind of adhesive would actually stick the bubblers to the bottom of the tub and KEEP THEM THERE. I tried epoxy, superglue, seal-all, and tons of other shit and none of it worked.
Finally I read the thread on cloning in sphagnum moss (sp?) here and I couldn't be happier. I have like a 90-95%+ survival rate with much more simple methods. I don't use the moss, haven't tried it, but that thread got me to try cloning in rockwool cubes and my results are far better survival rates and far more consistent results with far less vigorous cuts. The only thing bubblers might improve on is speed. It takes me about 4 weeks to go from cut day to cubes with roots bursting out all over the place. But I don't see the problem with that - just take your cuts 2 weeks earlier or whatever.
The only tricks to cloning in rockwool or other moist media are 1 climate control and 2 watering. 2 does take a bit of experience to get the best results. I've had success following advice I found on another forum: find the right balance between soggy and dry. If you keep the cubes constantly soaked, you don't get the fastest root growth. And if you keep them too dry, they die. I like to wait until they're dry on the outside, but you can tell there's still just a bit of moisture in there by touch, before I wet the cubes again. The tricky part is that they need more frequent wettings as you go along because they're developing a root system and drinking more.
They start sprouting roots at 2 weeks, and by 4 weeks they're itching to be planted.
All you need for this is a propagation tray and rockwool cubes. 20 bucks + shipping at PLH.
No mojo during cutting. Drop the cubes in water. Take a cut (can be VERY skinny weak looking little cuts, too) and stick it in the hole. Make sure you use a wire or something to make the hole deep enough if you're using skinny cuts. Put the cube with the cut in it into the tray. Repeat until the tray is full and stick it under the lights.
No hormones or rooting agents. If your cuts are going into a room with decent temps and humidity levels, no need for a dome either. No worrying over the angle of the cut. No cutting under water. All that stuff is like a rain dance to me now. Pointless.
Actually, I think a 90-95% rate kinda sucks now. Once you get some experience, you should only be losing one or two out of a hundred.
KISS.
Finally I read the thread on cloning in sphagnum moss (sp?) here and I couldn't be happier. I have like a 90-95%+ survival rate with much more simple methods. I don't use the moss, haven't tried it, but that thread got me to try cloning in rockwool cubes and my results are far better survival rates and far more consistent results with far less vigorous cuts. The only thing bubblers might improve on is speed. It takes me about 4 weeks to go from cut day to cubes with roots bursting out all over the place. But I don't see the problem with that - just take your cuts 2 weeks earlier or whatever.
The only tricks to cloning in rockwool or other moist media are 1 climate control and 2 watering. 2 does take a bit of experience to get the best results. I've had success following advice I found on another forum: find the right balance between soggy and dry. If you keep the cubes constantly soaked, you don't get the fastest root growth. And if you keep them too dry, they die. I like to wait until they're dry on the outside, but you can tell there's still just a bit of moisture in there by touch, before I wet the cubes again. The tricky part is that they need more frequent wettings as you go along because they're developing a root system and drinking more.
They start sprouting roots at 2 weeks, and by 4 weeks they're itching to be planted.
All you need for this is a propagation tray and rockwool cubes. 20 bucks + shipping at PLH.
No mojo during cutting. Drop the cubes in water. Take a cut (can be VERY skinny weak looking little cuts, too) and stick it in the hole. Make sure you use a wire or something to make the hole deep enough if you're using skinny cuts. Put the cube with the cut in it into the tray. Repeat until the tray is full and stick it under the lights.
No hormones or rooting agents. If your cuts are going into a room with decent temps and humidity levels, no need for a dome either. No worrying over the angle of the cut. No cutting under water. All that stuff is like a rain dance to me now. Pointless.
Actually, I think a 90-95% rate kinda sucks now. Once you get some experience, you should only be losing one or two out of a hundred.
KISS.
