[dgr]

Cl- is very reactive. Simple life forms pretty much get destroyed by coming in contact with it. The Cl- should allow any reasonable res temps by preventing these organisms from multiplying in the reservoir. We try to keep the res temps cool to make the environment less inviting for them to multiply.

You have to keep adding it as it gets used up/dissipates and the life forms never cease their assault. We're not eliminating them, merely shifting the balance so that the plants have a chance to do what they need to do in a more sterile environment.

[Herborizer]

Originally Posted by dgr

Cl- is very reactive. Simple life forms pretty much get destroyed by coming in contact with it. The Cl- should allow any reasonable res temps by preventing these organisms from multiplying in the reservoir. We try to keep the res temps cool to make the environment less inviting for them to multiply.

You have to keep adding it as it gets used up/dissipates and the life forms never cease their assault. We're not eliminating them, merely shifting the balance so that the plants have a chance to do what they need to do in a more sterile environment.

Bingo!

[Mr Eckted]

Ahhh, that makes more sense. We kill the bugs when we clean in between runs, so why not during the runs too?

[Sgt.Stedenko]

FWIW, one gram of CaOCl is just shy of 1/4 teaspoon.
I mixed up a quart of solution for my clones using 1/4 gram of pool shock.
I tested it with my Taylor DPD titration kit, but since my kit is for bromine (spa) it didn't give an accurate reading.
UV light destroys Cl-, so keeping the solution in a light proof container should help.
I clone using a cup of water. I'm adding a couple of drops every third day to keep it clean and healthy.
K+ to the OP.

[CannaBunkerMan]

Here's another piece of anicdotal evidence, I can't clone to save my life. I've been getting about a 5% success rate. My water is well water with no chlorine added. I'll give this method a try, and report back later.

[Phaeton]

It's 4 days since this thread started when I tossed my pure and natural water and started using tap water on the clones. Yes indeed, compared to the last few clone trays and the first few days on this tray, the clones are perkier. Not a lot perkier, what took 12 days is taking 9 days. Looked at as saving 3 days it is not much, but looking at it as 25% faster it is a major change.

Little things like this keep making my grows better and better, thank you each and every poster.

[buddzy]

If this keeps me from hitting and missing and shaves daysoff i'll be throwin some rep your way for sure,Keeping fingers crossed.

[Herborizer]

FYI. I just put 48 oz of the chlorine solution in my aerocloner that only holds 2 gallons of water. I had two rooted clones in there. I ran it for two days. Clones looked great up top. Underneath, the roots curled a little but not bad. I bet they are completely fine.

Anyway, if that gives any idea about how much you could go up to if needed. Of course, you would never need to go to 48 oz per 2 gallons. This was just an experiment. Remember, the recommended dosage is 1oz per 5 gallons, or about 1/4 oz per gallon.

[Wise]

I found my problem to be temps being too high.

[mofeta]

I think you are on to something, Herborizer!

Although chlorine deficiency is very unusual in growing plants, one of the main symptoms that is always listed is stunted roots.

Chlorine is an essential nutrient in plants. It is used for a lot of different things by plants. One of the main roles it plays is in rapidly elongating tissues like roots and shoots. When plant tissues are analyzed in the lab, some of the highest concentration of chlorine is in the roots.

It would be good to test other sources of chlorine in your cloning water. If RO/distilled water with no/very little water (edit: this should say chlorine, not water) was used as the base, you could compare it with the same water to which a different chlorine source was added. Besides bleach and pool shock, common household sources of chlorine are table salt (NaCl), No-Salt brand table salt substitute (KCl), ice-melting salt (usually CaCl, but sometimes MgCl).

If you are right about this, and you have solved the "Why do some people have such a hard time rooting cuts?" mystery, people will be erecting statues in your honor and writing poetry and songs and stuff in praise of you.