What to do with these moms?

[stinkyattic]

If they are just getting to the ropey look, but not showing other problems, I'd just regenerate with a fresh set of clones, and flower the moms in 5, 0r even 10 gallon pots if you can find any.
This is what I do. Whenever I do a run of clones, I take extras, so that I can keep the most vigorous cuttings and turn them into new mothers who can in turn donate cuttings within the month, and I train them out to give a short, wide canopy that exposes the most nodes to light (=lots of cuttings in a short time).
Personally I don't keep moms past the point where they are too big to flower in a 3-5 gallon container. I prefer moms to live in a quart container, or for a strain I run a LOT of, a gallon pot.
The reason behind this is that first off, were I ever to need to get the fuck outta Dodge, I could cram the bitches into a rubbermaid tote, toss them in the trunk, an get them to safety. Losing genetics is tragic. I have had to do this before. You CAN'T do it with a big mother for obvious reasons!
Second, I'm running too many strains to keep huge moms. They each get about a square foot of floor space, lol, and have to deal with it!
Third, prepping a smaller mother for cuttings is EASY!!! The cycle is: Feed with grow fert (high N) until vigorous new shoots are observed. Switch to a bloom fert+ superthrive to load up on P and thiamine for rooting (one week before taking cuts). Take cuts. FLUSH. REpeat.
The flushing step is a bitch if your moms are in giant homes.

[johneg]

Stinkyattic.You no ur shit undoubtedly!! But my friend has a colliseum! he needs 150 clones every 4 weeks,he fills half the colli at a time and crops every 4 weeks hes in the process of repotting clones but to replace the old ones but will take a few months.So cutting the roots,good or bad?

[stinkyattic]

I've no experience with root-pruning but know that bonsai artists use the technique. I think you should google it because I'm not sure what precautions to take.
If you want to go a simpler route, I'd buy a bottle of Cannazyme and use that. It frees up the nutrients bound up in old, dead root matter within the soil and buys a lot of time. It also effectively gives a bit of space. I use it on my Christmas cactus and they like it too.
Just a bit of caution, after applying Cannazyme, CUT BACK on your nutrients because there will be extra in the soil!!!
I still think that your moms need to be regenerated. My friend has a commercial-sized grow and also needs high numbers of clones on a tight schedule, but he keeps a bunch of mothers that are no more than 3' high and replaces them when they look scraggly. Having extra moms allows for a failed run of clones, and more time for the mothers to recover or get big enoug to use.

[johneg]

Thanks!He don use soil tho,perlite n vermiculite,Rockwool,Pebbles,Hes trying various mediums,should do same job tho.n then jus flush..yes??
P.S Sorry to hijack ur thread Testpilot!! Superthrive is good!

[stinkyattic]

I think this isn't really a hijack since you are in the same situation really.

Yeah cannazyme should work in any medium... maybe Rhizome will stop by with hints.

I don't really like the idea of keeping mothers in a soilless mix personally, but if your friend's experience is in hydro, more power to him for keeping them happy there!!! Even my friend who runs a big aero system keeps dirt moms.

[johneg]

thanks!