Clones Drying and Dying upon Transplant..... Your thought requested.

[twilight12]

Heya everyone need some assistance on this one.

I have a number of clones that continue to die upon transplanting.

Currrently the clones have been going for 3.5 weeks.
They have an extensive established root system. Each has a mass of roots 3+ inches outside of rockwoold plug. All of them are still within their humidomes.

The issue is when I take them out of the humidome in the fluro room the leaves turn brown/black and they die. When I transplant them to another room with 2 1000 hps lamps they simply dry up and die a quick death. This has happened more than once. I have found some help by taking them out of the humidome lose 1/2 of the clones in the fluro room, the ones that make it I transplant to 4*4 blocks, and when they start to grow new leaves in the fluro room I know they can be transplanted saftely

Has anyone else had similar problems, I'd be interested to hear your solutions.

twilight12 Reviewed by twilight12 on 02-08-2008. Clones Drying and Dying upon Transplant..... Your thought requested. Heya everyone need some assistance on this one. I have a number of clones that continue to die upon transplanting. Currrently the clones have been going for 3.5 weeks. They have an extensive established root system. Each has a mass of roots 3+ inches outside of rockwoold plug. All of them are still within their humidomes. The issue is when I take them out of the humidome in the fluro room the leaves turn brown/black and they die. When I transplant them to another room with 2 1000 Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

Yup! I have had those problems. Hell, I've just got PROBLEMS lol.
Here's the issue. As you've noticed, clones are delicate even after they develop roots.
The solution is to gradually get them used to outside conditions.
Lose the HPS for the first 2 weeks out from under the dome.
When you remove the dome for the first time, do it under WEAK flourescent light. Leave it off only a little while, until you notice the plants looking a little curled, stressed, or wilty.
Mist the inside of the dome (not the plants) lightly and return the dome to the propagation tray.
Repeat this again several hours later.
After a couple days you will notice that the clones take longer to show any signs of wilt.
What has happened is that they now are relying on their new root system for moisture, and have 'learned' how to close their stomata so they don't lose water through the leaves and dry out.
It's worst in winter when the air is dry.

[basementbotany]

how close do you have your two 1k's from your newly transplanted clones? Another thing, are you taking them straight from your humidome to the HPS's? Chances are, you are killing them with too much light. I'm no expert, but in my opinion you are providing them with too much light and their small root systems can't supply that much water to them to keep them alive under 2k watts of HPS light. Someone please correct me if i'm wrong here, don't want to pass bad info.

[basementbotany]

Yeah, what stinky said. I'd listen to her......W.W.S.D

[twilight12]

Holly Cow Stinky what a great idea.

that makes complete sense, since were on the topic may I share with you my current clone setup and get your advice.

1. Clone -24 hours of light for the first 10-14 days
- Using Hydrofarm heat matts
- Opening and misting plants and hood twice daily

2. After 10-14 days I go to 18 hour and continue to mist the same way.

3. Open vents in hood at days 21-24 for some reasons some clones begin to have shriveled heads like they are midigits... it's strange....

4. Burn out of 200 burn 150 to get the 50 i need.

I just lost a whole run so your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated

Please feel free to be long winded Im taking it all in

[stinkyattic]

I'd keep a consistent light schedule through the cloning process personally.
I only use heat mats in winter if room temp is low, otherwise the possibility of fungus increases
CLEAN your tray and dome with foaming cleanser before use too
Mist only the hood, not the plants
Only open the vent a little ways -just a CRACK- at first

Another thing to think about is treating with wilt-pruf. You can even wilt-pruf your moms BEFORE you take cuttings off them. Or you can mist the clones. The point is to make them less prone to losing water through the leaves. I cut my leaves down to 1" as well. Don't over do the wilt-pruf; it can suffocate the plants if overapplied.

[Weedhound]

Yup! I have had those problems. Hell, I've just got PROBLEMS lol.
Here's the issue. As you've noticed, clones are delicate even after they develop roots.
The solution is to gradually get them used to outside conditions.
Lose the HPS for the first 2 weeks out from under the dome.
When you remove the dome for the first time, do it under WEAK flourescent light. Leave it off only a little while, until you notice the plants looking a little curled, stressed, or wilty.
Mist the inside of the dome (not the plants) lightly and return the dome to the propagation tray.
Repeat this again several hours later.
After a couple days you will notice that the clones take longer to show any signs of wilt.
What has happened is that they now are relying on their new root system for moisture, and have 'learned' how to close their stomata so they don't lose water through the leaves and dry out.
It's worst in winter when the air is dry.

God I love getting information like this.....what else have you got Stinky? Like when should you start nutes? Should I be using superthrives? Give it up!!! :thumbsup:

[stinkyattic]

Okay but if I get carpal tunnel...
I don't use thrives at all any more. They are great for transplanting but I've seen too much trouble with people ODing on their N and making a royal mess. Remember new growth is tender and susceptible to whatever problems you have so encouraging it during cloning is not good. Plus N during cloning, including giving the mother too much 'grow' before cuttings, inhibits root growth.
Start nutes AFTER you are certain that the new plants are acclimated to their environment, and start WEAK.

[Weedhound]

so when are you certain the plants have acclimated to their enviroment? I'm way at the beginning of my first one here......and not doing well.....so anything helps......and smoke a doobie for your carpal tunnel.

I notice the cloning liquid has N in it as well.....

[stinkyattic]

cloning liquid? Are you running a bubble cloner? I never had much luck with those. I think I was using water at the wrong pH.
Now I just use the rapidrooters, NO additional water necessary, just misting the dome. Did you check out the growing da dankness sticky? I think there's a tutorial in there? And then that other cloning log one that's a sticky- that's a good thread.