mother plant question

[scagster]

Hello all,

Currently raising some plants and was planning on keeping mother plants in constant vegetative state for continual clone cuttings, and was wondering what anyone recommended for the container size. These mother plants will be grown in soil. I was thinking a 5 gallon container would work about right. Figured I'd ask to see if anyone had any firsthand experience. Thanks

scagster Reviewed by scagster on 10-11-2007. mother plant question Hello all, Currently raising some plants and was planning on keeping mother plants in constant vegetative state for continual clone cuttings, and was wondering what anyone recommended for the container size. These mother plants will be grown in soil. I was thinking a 5 gallon container would work about right. Figured I'd ask to see if anyone had any firsthand experience. Thanks :cool: Rating: 5

[twoguysupnorth]

i dont know, but i would ask how many clones and how often would you be taking them?

[stinkyattic]

Figure a mother plant will probably stay around 6 months or so before you 'retire' her for a smaller and less scruffy one. A 3-5 gallon pail will do fine, and you can read up on bonsai mums and root pruning under I believe advanced techniques, search it.
My advice for keeping moms is to use even LIGHTER soil than you normally would. Since the plant will live in the same pot for a long time, and you may be cycling among different fertilizers (bloom for the week before taking cuts, grow for the weeks after) you'll be flushing regularly, and lighter soil will make that a LOT easier.

[Comatose]

I cannot believe that the reefer goddess, good ol' Stinky, didn't mention this one (maybe you do know, but I still feel special :-p).

Spray the inside of your containers (before planting, lol) with a product called Griffin's Spin-Out. It contains copper hydroxide, which keep the roots from growing into the side of the containers, they'll grow within an 1/8" of it. It works just like the FIM technique or topping. The roots are chemically "cut" when they reach the outside of the container. In return, you get twice the amounts of roots, and they will grow into the center of the pot.

This method doubles your root volume, but allows many more roots to grow in the center of the pot, instead of at the outside of the container. I would say that this method will give you another 4-6 months of clone time before you will need to replace it.

Ohh wait, Stinky said root pruning, which is what this is.... hahaha well there ya go Chemical root pruning, who would have thunk it?

[stinkyattic]

I just use Cannazyme on my mothers. It's great stuff, breaks down dead root matter and returns the nutrients to the soil, just lay off on N for a few days after you apply it.

[scagster]

Thank you for the information. I probably would be planning on taking clones every 5-6 weeks or so. Like the sound of the Spin-Out, never heard of that before. Where can you buy that stuff? Will definitely read up on bonsai mums :thumbsup:

[twoguysupnorth]

i knew i wouldnt be keeping the mother except to clone once, so i started a clone in a 2 gallon pot then grew it out for a little over a month and took clones. i then put her in a 3.75 gallon pot to flower it. starting one of her clones to have a mother the next time around.