Cloning Question

[scagster]

This isn't a question so much as a pondering, and I'd like someone elses's thoughts.

I've had a batch of clones (15 of em to be exact) that are in RR's in a humidity dome, and they have a 26w CFL above them. Now, it's been 13 days, and I still have no roots. Usually, I see roots in 6-7 days with this strain. The clones still all look healthy, but no roots at all. I use botanicare's cloning gel, and it's always worked good for me. I typically get my plugs ready by soaking them in a gallon of water with a drop or so of SuperThrive, and a couple ml of Liquid Karma.

I've got the clone dome in a cabinet with 9 mother plants in veg. The mothers are on the left side, lit by 3x44W CFLS, and a 70w MH. the clone dome is on the far right side. Is all of the extra light reaching the clones, and causing them to not root? I don't think it is, because I've successfully rooted batches in my flowering room when I had a lack of space, and a good deal of light from that got into the dome and they still rooted in less than a week. Seems to me like the lumens would diminish greatly from across the cabinet, its like 6 feet wide. Anyways, my theory is that it's a temperature issue. At night the temperature drops down to around 60 degrees Farenheit in there, so I'm thinking maybe all i need to do is get a heating mat for under the clone tray.

Am I thinking the right thing? Because I've never had them take this long to root. Or could my cloning gel have gone bad? I keep it in the fridge, so I have no idea, haven't had this bottle for more than 3 months. Thanks in advance!

scagster Reviewed by scagster on 12-19-2007. Cloning Question This isn't a question so much as a pondering, and I'd like someone elses's thoughts. I've had a batch of clones (15 of em to be exact) that are in RR's in a humidity dome, and they have a 26w CFL above them. Now, it's been 13 days, and I still have no roots. Usually, I see roots in 6-7 days with this strain. The clones still all look healthy, but no roots at all. I use botanicare's cloning gel, and it's always worked good for me. I typically get my plugs ready by soaking them in a Rating: 5

[scagster]

Or think maybe just raising them off the ground a bit would do?

[Bongojaz]

you gotta keep the temp. up. 60 is too low and will slow root formation. get a heat mat of some kind. i use one of those sore muscle heat pads.

[twoguysupnorth]

heat probably is the issue, they should be around 70's at least. if they are still heathy that is good but longer times might lead to rot before roots. mine generally take 2 weeks and that isnt a problem for me but later and i start worrying.

[scagster]

That's what I figured. I was planning on getting one tomorrow after I cash my paycheck. Figured this coincided with the recent temperature drop we've had in the area. Thanks guys. :jointsmile:

[PharmaCan]

Thirteen days is kind of a long time, but ... Feel the stems right above where they go into the RR. If they are firm, the cutting is ok; any mushy ones, toss them. Getting back to your original question, if you are 6' away from the lights, that shouldn't be a problem.

PC :smokin:

[scagster]

Fixed the temperature problem. Roots are poking through today. Merry Christmas! Good timing plants!