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Miracle grow fast root for cloning?

I have some miracle grow fast root powder from lowes, but after reading the label it says its for ornamental plants. whats up with that? can i still use it? ive searched and a few people use it but is it safe?
 

urbanfog

Member
I have not had good luck with it. I have taken several clones and where I know heat is an issue for me, I also have taken clones in the cooler part of the year and always seem to loose a lot, I am thinking its the powder
 

Skyrancher

Member
I have not had good luck with it. I have taken several clones and where I know heat is an issue for me, I also have taken clones in the cooler part of the year and always seem to loose a lot, I am thinking its the powder


What have you used since trying Miracle Grow? Any recommendations?
 

DevinsDad

Member
BTW my clone from plain water and no powder, gel or nute. Is doing superb! She does actually look a lot like the mom. But however she does look to be bushier.
 

anon0988

Member
I actually tried water only for a cutting because I read your post. I didn't change water every day, but after a week with no visible roots, I dipped it in powder and threw it in dirt. It's been slowly dying since 3-4 days into water only. I'm hoping it will recover because otherwise I'm going to have to use another seed from that strain to keep the genetics in my collection. I honestly don't get the point behind water only. Sure, maybe it works, but it's going to be slower and with a lower success rate overall than if you had just used powder from the beginning.
 

DevinsDad

Member
I actually tried water only for a cutting because I read your post. I didn't change water every day, but after a week with no visible roots, I dipped it in powder and threw it in dirt. It's been slowly dying since 3-4 days into water only. I'm hoping it will recover because otherwise I'm going to have to use another seed from that strain to keep the genetics in my collection. I honestly don't get the point behind water only. Sure, maybe it works, but it's going to be slower and with a lower success rate overall than if you had just used powder from the beginning.


Ill run the experiment a few more times this month. Na not really, did you see the success the other guy had who posted on my thread?

I forgot to mention things like changing the water daily because that was actually suggested on the thread. Seemed logical, so I changed the water.

But what kind of water you use? I used sink water that sat out for 24 hours to let bs evap out.

And what was your humidity like? did you give it a dome? Most clones want high humidity like in a dome.

Another little part I left out. I didnt use a dome because my clones room was 90 degrees with 70% humidity. And I kept the clone under 18/6 400w MH. What lighting did you use?
 

anon0988

Member
It was distilled water, I don't remember which brand it was, one of the brands I can buy locally has low ph ~4.5 and the other is high at ~7.5 ph. It sat with the stem in water and the top exposed out of a water bottle (the thin small kind). 18/6 light schedule and probably 50-60% RH. I didn't put it in a dome because I read that keeping the top in high humidity only matters when the base isn't completely submerged. I'm not saying that the method can't work or anything, I just don't get the appeal of using it over using rooting hormone. I'm not super concerned over it not begin organic or any of that stuff, I just want what works the best, and from my limited experience that means using the powder or gel.
 
C

CulturedHeathen

My current batch of 40 clones was taken using the miracle-grow powder and rapid rooters... 36/40 so far at 2 weeks. I think that medium, temperature and humidity play bigger roles than rooting accelerators, which are all based upon IBA. Look to other problems in your setup before trying new rooting accelerators. I have had great success with simply stabbing large cuttings into 4" pots of coco without ANY rooting hormones.
 

DevinsDad

Member
Well really im just lazy, I could have gone with gel or powder. But after finishing a Biology course in college which touched on plant anatomy, I just didn't grasp why people even bought it, Its not always about being optimal.

I told my one room mate when he said "blah, blah, blah, optimal room temp" I told him to shut the F up!

Optimal aint what im after here. Whats your optimal job? girlfriend? Life? If aint none of them optimal leave my shit alone.

I know that the usage of any growth hormone would work well, but I just think its an unnecessary purchase for people who are not trying to grow 100+ girls, that you can smell from a mile away.

Some of us want it hidden and are on a budget. There for I'm ok with smaller girls, and ones not as stinky. One day when I have the right house, I will invest more and get optimal things. But for now I'm just trying to do well while living within my means. And keep only 1-2 girls and keep em within certain sizes.

I mean really, If I had room to let them girls grow 12' tall and not worry about the smell, I would.

All im saying is Its not exactly that i am against using it, Just realized its not needed.


Also I think genetics have a huge part to play in the survival of clones. you may be right about the humidity with a dome not needed if submerged in water.
 

DevinsDad

Member
See this guy used no gel or powder, He is from here on ICmag.

She looks healthy and will soon green up , this method works slow but sure , the machines are not essential unless you need very uniform plants rooted at the same time or have a short timetable.

Have two small identical bubblers that sit on a heated mat , have tried many experiments as its so simple and fast to do.

A certain amount of damage speeds up rooting and produces more roots than cleancut , and multiple punctures pushing material into the stem is effective and repeatable , and does not create large wounds that may likely rot.

If you use a powder or gell rooting agent , apply it first and punch it in with a dull blade tip , bit of wire or a pinwheel if you have many to do.
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Suggest you experiment , much of the info online or repeated from ageing grow bibles does not prove true in practice , and simplest is often best.
 
I use a thing called Olivias Cloning gel... it cost me 8 bucks i have made over 200 clones succesfully and it has lasted me well over a year. so if you are on a budget. Olivias cloning gel is really really nice
 

DevinsDad

Member
I didnt exactly use on a budget a any argument, I said some of us want it hidden and are on a budget.

When you make clones you need to plant them, Then feed them, then they grow, which occupy space, and need more food, and in the end cutting 100 clones and all for me is not needed. So its more to cloning in the long haul than just $2.50 hormone.

My thing was that if its not needed why use.

Look at the success that we have had without it.

Now if you have a full 8' x 10' room, or a barn, Id say go for it. Id love to have me a mini forest of fine females.

I am in a limited space so I am not going for optimal growth, Like I said Im well aware that hormones help. Just not needed.

A sports pro, can be great without hormones, give him hormones, he hits a few extra home runs. But he can still be successful without the hormones.

I never said im the rooting hormone nazi, or that you shouldnt use it. And I never really said im on a budget and cannot afford $3. My problem is what to do with these hormone boosted clones that will out grow my box. Follow me? If I had a barn, Id be hormone using one all my clones just to make em get over 12' tall.
 

toastfighter2

Active member
I personally have been using the mg fast root for well over three years now(and have even done a side by side with olivia's gel-which has ZERO hormones in it btw). They put out roots faster than with plain water, and if you are using the correct amount(barely any on just the tip), it gets diluted to the point it won't give your plants "roid rage". I grew in a cab with less than 3 feet of head room for flowering, and only had the occasional few get to big.
 

Asslover

Member
Veteran
I use a thing called Olivias Cloning gel... it cost me 8 bucks i have made over 200 clones succesfully and it has lasted me well over a year. so if you are on a budget. Olivias cloning gel is really really nice

Olivia's does not contain any rooting hormones whatsoever. None.
It's nothing more than a weak NPK solution....
 

Asslover

Member
Veteran
Can't edit...
Meant to add to the above post; The stuff at HD/Lowes is cheaper than Olivia's and contains rooting hormones.
 
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