I bought some cuttings (clones?)

Why the question mark? I wouldn't buy cuttings I wasn't sure were clones of females. Cuttings usually turn into clones, and clones are usually female.

To give an idea, ive spent about a grand, but on reflection i could have done it a lot cheaper.

I started out thinking I would spend a grand. By the time I'm done, to do it right, it will be 3 times that.

Surely i cant be the hydro shops ripping us off??

I hope you are being sarcastic here. The surely do, but they wouldn't be in business long if they didn't sell stuff for a profit.