A few weeks ago I read a post from another member here about cloning using your existing hydro equipment. I apologize that I have failed to find that original thread, so in laziness, I have started a new one.

My system: I have a 4'x6'x7' high room with one 1kW switchable light for growing. I use recirculating DWC "bio-buckets" as invented by Hurtback on OG. I'm not entirely sure if my hydro system is responsible for how easy it is for me to clone, but I'm so happy with it that I'm not willing to rule it out. I have no digital camera, so unfortunately, I have no pics, but I don't believe pictures are necessary for this post.

Previously, I had used an aerocloner (details for how to build also on OG) with great success, but I was intrigued by an IC member's claim that is was possible to place clones directly into your hydro system, so I decided to give it a try.

I have a nasty habit of over-caring for my beloved plants; usually when a problem develops, it is due to over-maintainence. So I decided to cut 6 clones prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and just let them be. The clones I took all had two nodes on them, the upper node I left intact (on three I trimmed the leaves, but noticed no benefit or detriment) and the lower node I trimmed flush with the "stem". Approximately 1/4" below the 2nd node i cut the "stem" at an angle with a sterilized razor blade and also shaved off the outer layer of the "stem" in two to four spots to allow for extra spots for root growth. I then placed the cutting in powder rooting hormone, then directly into an oasis cube and then into my bio-buckets. The oasis cube was placed in lava rocks just above water level, but in an area where the lava rocks were still moist. Within five minutes under the 1000w MH lamp, all clones were horribly wilted, and I assumed this test to be an absolute failure. My nute levels (I use GH Lucas formula) were at 650 @.5 . Four days later I returned to six healthy clones.

Sunday, I decided to repeat the experiment and this time I was around to watch how fast the clones recovered. Please keep in mind that I am using WAY too much light, far too high of a concentration of nutrients, and no humidity dome. This is simply a fire and forget method of cloning. After 24 hours at 18/6, all signs of shock and wilting were gone from the clones. But it took all the willpower I have to prevent me from turning off the 1000w MH and throwing in some flourescents. Now, two days later, all seems well, even though my nute level is still far too high for typical cloning operations. All clones look healthy, in a week I should see roots poking out of the oasis cubes.

Like I said before, I'm not sure if this experience is due to the inherent benefits of bio-buckets, or if it would work equally well in other hydro systems. I intentionally stacked the cards against this experiment, but I still had 100% success, where I was happy to get 80% using my aerocloner. I am particularly interested to know if this will work with NFT and E&F hydro systems as well as DWC systems that don't incorporate beneficial bacteria.

As a footnote, if anyone is interested in bio-buckets, please search for Bigtoke's thread here on IC or look for Hurtback's thread on OG. Basically, bio-buckets are recirculating DWC buckets that promote the growth of "beneficial bacteria" to maintain nutrient resevoir health rather than sterilizing and periodically replacing the nutrient solution. I have been running my buckets for seven months now and have yet to drain and replace the nutrient solution. Plant growth is unreal, roots are healthy, and I couldn't be happier. Please feel free to ask any question you may have about this system, it isn't cheap, nor easy to set up, but it is extremely easy to run and performs quite well.

[Hooked-On-Grown]

sounds good ntstephenson! Although I have always stuck with the old tray and dome method. It fits into my busy garden schedule better.

Thanks HOG for the reply. I tried tray and dome first, but like I said, I have a tendency to over-do things. I'm pretty sure I over watered the clones in that method. After failing miserably (I got around 20% success), I switched to the aerocloner and was happy with it for quite some time with around 80% success. But this time I have had 100% success with two runs and absolutely no effort on my part other than the initial cloning process.

I am curious if my experience is just a side benefit of the bio-bucket system or if this could be replicated in all hydro systems. Either way, it is quite significant, because I have found in my limited experience that cloning is one of the most difficult parts of sustained growing. I will search for the IC member that first brought up this topic and give him or her the recognition that is deserved.

ntstephenshon I have found the aerocloner with doc's cloning jell works 1200% for me. The original thread was from OG JapanFreak's simple aerocloner. Works great. I amde two. One for cloning and the second is placed on the fringe of my veg chamber until they are ready for full light again. usually aboaut a week. Congrats on your cloning. I hope they all work out.

Avid

[Hooked-On-Grown]

yes ....I remember that thread. Thats why I have learned to love the tray and dome. I just mist the lids only once a day.....other then that.....I leave them alone and get 95% success rate.

Curious to see if it is the system that helps them clone better. Like you said....cloning is one of the tuffest things to do....... no matter what the method...if you can get it to root, your in business.

[So Quick]

Nice post NT I'm wit hog on this also, as i use the tray and dome wit 100%, but your experiment sounds pretty interesting...when I get a lil bit of room in my place I'll give these bio buckets a whirl!!

SQ

Well, it's been a week, so time for an update. All six clones are still alive and kicking, although one of the girls is starting to look like she may not make it another week. New growth is visible (I think, or it may just be wishful thinking). No signs of roots poking out of the oasis cubes yet though.

I still have done nothing to the clones since cutting and placing them in the oasis cubes.

If this does happen to work, I am thinking of converting my aero-cloner into a hybrid bio-bucket tubbler type of thing. I'll just fill the rubbermaid container with lava rocks and plumb it up to the same resevoir as my moms. This way I can fit it under my home-made 6x20W flourescent lamp in the mother/cloning room and stop worring about baking clones under the 1000w MH. I'll just place the oasis cubes on top of the lava rocks and leave them there until roots emerge, then transfer to my growing room.

Maybe if I had applied this much thought and effort to getting the tray and dome method to work, I wouldn't need to be constantly rethinking my cloning procedures...

[GratefulPhish]

I use that same method with diced rockwool in tubblers and I've yet to lose a clone-- maybe I work with easy cloning strains iono though

Final update:

Two weeks in, all six clones show new growth and roots coming out of oasis cubes. The girl I thought might not make it lost her set of fan leaves, but seems to have pulled through.

I perfomed no maintenance on these clones, I just cut them and put them in the system. I am planning on making a miniature bio-bucket out of a large tupperware container filled with rocks that will fit in my clone room in place of my aerocloner. This will allow my to keep the clones under 120w of floros instead of 1000w of MH until they root.

I'm so happy, I hope I never have to worry about clones again!

[Hooked-On-Grown]

congrats ntstephenson!!

Nice to always be able to keep a cut of a great strain!!