Worst Cloner Ever

[hybridlove420]

well of my 4 clones, 1 survived, and another lived until about a week ago, when its leaves all began to turn brown and die immediately.

id take seeds over clones any day, just because if a seed doesnt sprout, its not like youve put days and days of care into planting it. who cares if the genetics arent perfect when you at least get the things to grow....

[Dreadscale]

My newest clones are 10 days from cuttings today, one has died so far.

Of my original clones, 2 more have made it and the remaining one died, this gives me a better average. 6 out of 8 survived but it is taking like a month to get them going.

I transplanted them all yesterday except the 2 minis

first photo is 4 NL clones 2 mini NL clones in center.
3 seedling from unknown indica.
also a McCoy in the front.

2nd photo are the 10 day old survivors.

Any help on a way to speed up the cloning process would be appreciated.

THANK YOU

[SimonMakus]

Sure, you can definitely speed up cloning! However, it would really help to know exactly what method(s) you're using here?

I recently cloned for the first time using two different techniques: hormone and peat, and a homemade bubble system.

Dip-n-Grow rooting concentrate was included in my first attempt using only two cuttings, jiffy pellets, a tray, and a humidity dome under one 23 watt CFL. These did well, but took a little over ten days to root.

The process involved soaking the peat pellets in a very weak bloom fert for an hour before taking the cuttings. Then with a sharp blade (I used an exacto knife) cut at 45 degree angle and keeping in mind at least one node should be buried in the medium as this is a default spot for root growth and will speed up the overall process. Quickly dip the 45 degree end in the hormone, usually for 30 seconds or less, then place inside a jiffy/peat pellet being careful not to poke through the bottom on the medium. I read somewhere (icmag, I think) that the pre-made holes contain less oxygen in the center, so the outter edges are the place to make your hole. I just used a small nail about the size of the cutting's diameter to poke a spot for my new baby. One thing I forgot to mention, the pellets should not be soaking wet when you go to insert the cutting, but they should be a little moist.

After you've got all your future clones in the peat, place them on your tray, put the humidity dome on, and place all in a safe spot under a low-wattage CFL (or tube) about 6 to 8 inches away, as clones only need enough light to know it's day, and not so much as to photosynthesize.

During the rooting time, remember to keep your temps in the mid 70s, and RH around 90%. If you see the RH is dropping or the cuts are wilting, check the medium and if it's dry, give her a good dip about half way up the pellet in plain water.

Besides all that, time is a factor in any of this cultivation stuff we're into. Just remember it takes time to do anything and to be patient. However, if you're impatient like me, you might try another method... (continued in next post because this is insanely long-winded and must take a break)

[SimonMakus]

The other method I mentioned, the bubbler bucket, appealed to me because of the speed of root growth. Over on icmag there's a commercial grower named Lougrew who has, in my opinion, the most simple hydroponic cloner I've come across. Here's a link: http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=68296
While he's no master of the English language, he does know his cultivation. Check that out and come on back for my interpretation.

I gathered all the supplies Lou called for: dual outlet airpump ($10), two four inch air stones ($5), air tubing ($2), 23 watt daylight CFL (already had, but about $4), small-ish cooking pot, and tin foil.

I started out with all the gear and hooked up the airtones to the lines then to the pump. Well actually, I first soaked the airstones for an hour or so per package instructions. I then took cuttings, see above post, and put them directly into a cup of water instead of pellet. Now with the air pump on and the stones bubbling, cut holes in the tin foil just big enough to allow that chunky node to get through. Make sure the cuts aren't so big that they're sitting too far in the water, an inch maximum should be submersed.

After a few temp readings on my metal pot reservoir, I discovered it was freezing! That'll happen though, winter here and the basement concrete floor is not conducive to cloning. Soooo I went out and bought a small 2-5 gallon aquarium heater and all is right with the world. My two oldest cuttings have very good roots forming and the third is bumpy but happy.

As you will learn eventually, if you haven't already, it's hard to keep things the same without attempting innovation in this plant game. The metal pot has turned into a 3 gallon plastic bucket and the entire setup is now enclosed in a rubbermaid (rubbermade?) tub.

If you need any pics or help, let me know.

[katyowns]

Why would anyone prefer seeds over cloning? Seeds just mean you're gonna have plants taking up light space and wasting veg nutes on males you're just gonna have to trash anyways. If you can be successful at cloning, you're golden!

I was lucky enough to be 100% successful with my 1st cloning attempt, I just made sure to read up on it VERY thoroughly before I took cuttings. Also, to everyone, listen to Stinkyattic, shes gonna be right 99.9% of the time.

[stinkyattic]

Lol Katy!
How ya been, stranger? One of these days we're gonna have to hit up Casa de N for lunch...

Dreadscale, you ARE using a dome, correct?

[katyowns]

Lol Katy!
How ya been, stranger? One of these days we're gonna have to hit up Casa de N for lunch...

I know right! I haven't been around much, been working my bum off and ignoring my cannabis forums family!

We'll grab lunch one of these days, if either of us ever get time to relax haha.

[fiddyonefiddy]

im a newb here so ill just say what i see from the picture and what ive read, that i dont see in your picture.
rooting is done in the dark, you have light right on your clones
defuse the light.just like seeds damp cool and dark. they look like they are growing new veg. so to much light.
secondly was no domes in your pics dont know if you used them or not. just didnt see them. i tried with out and my stuff dried up almost the first day, so i added a dome and it loved it.
just my two cents worth from a stump .
havent figured out that purple stem though
i got one on a clone from a friend like that cant get anyone to tell me what it is and cant find anything written about it either.
speedy

[SimonMakus]

Also, dude, your pics are like 3200x2400 lol :smokin:

Fiddy, I think the lil gals under the 4 CFLs are rooted, while the tray of peat pot things look to be under a relatively low wattage tube. You are absolutely correct that roots are light sensitive but most people go 24/0 when cloning, if that's what you meant??

Stinky asked if he had a dome, no response yet, but you're both dead on that he needs one!

[Rusty Trichome]

Aren't the 3500k CFL's for flowering? (shown in pix)
Was under the impression that 3500's and lower were better suited for flower, 6500's for veg.
Is it different for rooting clones?