First time cloning....any pointers?!

[SeaLevelGrower]

Okay...I finished my veg/clone room today. I bought a little kit that comes with the rock wool, tray, clone-X, and humidity dome. Im gonna light them with some cool white CFL's. I picked up some Superthrive...not sure exactly how to use it or when...? This is the first time I have ever attempted to take cuttings. Tomorrow morning I am taking cuttings off of some outdoor Diesel clones that are about 4 ft tall. I will probably take a few cuttings off of my girls that are already 5 weeks into flower as well...just for the hell of it!

Any pointers....
1-time of day to get clones?
2-where on plant to get clones?
3-how much light until they root?
4-how can I use the Superthrive?
5-What to spray humidity dome with...plain neutral pH water?
6-24 hour lights?

Any info you have before tomorrow morning would be sooo great!

Thanks....this site has made life much easier this first time around!

SeaLevelGrower

SeaLevelGrower Reviewed by SeaLevelGrower on 07-26-2009. First time cloning....any pointers?! Okay...I finished my veg/clone room today. I bought a little kit that comes with the rock wool, tray, clone-X, and humidity dome. Im gonna light them with some cool white CFL's. I picked up some Superthrive...not sure exactly how to use it or when...? This is the first time I have ever attempted to take cuttings. Tomorrow morning I am taking cuttings off of some outdoor Diesel clones that are about 4 ft tall. I will probably take a few cuttings off of my girls that are already 5 weeks Rating: 5

[Rusty Trichome]

Any pointers....
1-time of day to get clones?
2-where on plant to get clones?
3-how much light until they root?
4-how can I use the Superthrive?
5-What to spray humidity dome with...plain neutral pH water?
6-24 hour lights?

The whole idea is to get the roots to grow, not the foliage.

1) I usually wait till I'm awake. But If daytime temps are hot, I'll take them at lights-out. (let her heal overnight before it get's hot again)
2) Depends on how many you want to take, and when you plan on flowering her. I usually try and take the cuttings from the top, down...from the center, out. Kind of a bowl-shaped mom when done.
3)I go with 18/6, some go with 24/0. I have a 6-light seedling fixture that holds 6 - 23w CFL's. I unscrew 4 of the lights, and keep the remaining two within 4-6 inches. (low light) Remember, you're forcing the roots to grow, not the leaves.
4) I used to water with the 1 drop a gallon dilution. But I stopped using the stuff. Superthrive Myth
5) Yes. Do not spray the leaves, just the dome. Do not forget to give fresh air a couple of times a day, minimum. (but keep the enviornment humid)
6) See #3.

When taking cuttings, I immediatelly place (severred end down) in a cup of ph'd water. This prevents an air bubble from forming at the injury. I take all cutting necessary, and put mom back.

From there, I take the cutting and a sharp knife, and lightly scrape down the side of the stem, to the cambric layer, (the layer under the surface layer) from about 1 inch from the cut, down to the cut. (then replace in water for the time being) This is supposedly the layer the roots will form from, and contact with the rooting hormone promotes the root growth and development. (the rooting hormone doesn't have to penetrate the outer layer before starting to work) If uncomfortable doing the scraping...you can practice on celery, lol.

From there I prep the new soil cups (or rockwool, or peat pucks) by rinsing well with properly ph'd water, dip the severed end of the clone in the rooting hormone (powder or gel) tap or scrape off all excess, (yes, you can overdo it with the hormone stuff...it becomes a gunky inpenetrable barrier between new roots and the soil) and gently transplant it to it's new home.

[Zenergy]

When taking cuttings, I immediatelly place (severred end down) in a cup of ph'd water.

When you say "ph'd water", do you mean ph tested, ph equalized... at the 6.7?

Thanks!!
Zenergy