1st time cloning problem

[darrenlayo]

I have just tried cloning for the first time on some white rhino. have no pictures yet. Using clonex and some riot root cubes.

After misting them for the first time i come back and everyone of them has fallen right over so the leaves are touching the propagator floor. All the stems seem to have gone soft.

Is this normal? will they pick themseves back up? Or have i just done something wrong?

darrenlayo Reviewed by darrenlayo on 09-25-2008. 1st time cloning problem I have just tried cloning for the first time on some white rhino. have no pictures yet. Using clonex and some riot root cubes. After misting them for the first time i come back and everyone of them has fallen right over so the leaves are touching the propagator floor. All the stems seem to have gone soft. Is this normal? will they pick themseves back up? Or have i just done something wrong? Rating: 5

[Rusty Trichome]

Sounds like too much heat or light....but...

1. Did you soak and rinse the cubes before use, with properly ph'd water?
2. Have you tried propping them up?
3. How warm/hot is it inside the propogator?
4. How close are the lights, and what kind are they? (CFL, MH...)
5. Are you misting with plain, ph'd water?
5. How large are the shoots you're trying to root?
6. Did you use the rooting hormone sparingly? (more isn't better)
7. Once cut from mother plant, did you work quickly to get 'em in the cubes?

Personally, I cut the clone a bit long, then just before dipping in the gel or powder, I'll make another cut while underwater, so any suction caused will uptake water, not an air bubble. (water is ok...air is not ok) Then I dip, plant (I clone into potting soil) cover and wait. I then mist the lid, not the clones. A few times a day. Some folks mist with a very weak solution of Superthrive, or other micronute after a few days, but I don't. Takes a week or so to start seeing new (pale green) growth.

[stinkyattic]

Are you actually using a dome?
Clones wilt fast if there is too much air flow/dry air or the light is too intense, or both.

Answer Rusty's list and we will see what the issue is.

[darrenlayo]

I think it was just to hot for them.

Rusty

1. Yes soaked the cubes with distilled water before use. PH was around 6.5
2. Havent tried propping them up. Have been working all day and think it is too late now. Will get a pic up asap.
3. Got up to 30 C in the dome. Had the same problem with heat before using 4 x 200w CFL's in one hood so turned 2 off as soon as i noticed.
4. Lights are about an inch from the dome
5. misting with distilled water. PH around 6.5
5. cant really tell from the pic i will put up the size of the shoots anymore but they were around 4 inches tall and each had a nice top.
6. Used the clonex according to the instruction sheet. Got quite a bit on but i wouldnt say it was over the top.
7. Cut from the mother straight into the clonex, straight into the cube, straight under the dome and misted.

Will get a picture up so you can see how sorry they looking. Dont think there is any chance for them now.

[darrenlayo]

pic taken about 3 hours after cutting

[stinkyattic]

WAY too mcuh light.
Go get a cheap clamp lamp and the SMALLEST CFL you can find, and stick your dome under that, in a spare closet or something- keep the light about a foot or 2 away.
Cloning is as simple as chop it, plop it in cloning goo, and stick it under a CLEAN dome in DIM light. Once you get it, whcih is going to be very soon, it will become second nature for you.

Also those cuts are really tiny- are you getting a tip, a fan, and a lower node which is then stripped-n-dipped?

[darrenlayo]

so 800w is a bit overkill then. never seen anything mentioned about how much light is needed for new cuttings so just assumed the more the better. what if i just run 1 of the 200w bulbs, still to much?

I found a branch with a good tip and counted back 2 branches which were fans then cut.

[stinkyattic]

Okay, your clone size is sufficient, although one more node would be nice.
The idea in cloning is to put the green, above-ground part of the plant into a sort of suspended animation and let it do its thing BELOW the soil surface. Light encourages photosynthesis, and also vertical growth, which uses up water and stored nutrients. You need the BARE MINIMUM amount of light for the plant to photosynthesize JUST ENOUGH to make energy and grow roots, but that's it. I clone under either a small tube flouro 1-2 feet away or a single 13w CFL. Not that my way is the ONLY way, but it is one way that definitely works!

[chongman420]

Hey this thread is really helping me out too. I've never had luck cloning and I think my problem may have been excessive light/heat also. Hey Stinky, when you clean your dome and prop tray what do you use? Dish soap? Dilluted bleach solution? Scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner? Thanks for the wisdom! Good thread:thumbsup:

[darrenlayo]

Thanks. Will pick up a lot smaller light the weekend and have another go. Shouldnt have tried so many at once on my 1st time really but the mothers are still looking strong. Will keep you updated with my next attempt