10 Secrets to Successful Marijuana Cloning

There are two options for marijuana growers to take when growing new plants. The first is to use seed and the second is to apply the marijuana cloning.

Today, marijuana clones have become more popular, so buying them is no longer a problem especially when you are in some places such as Washington, Colorado or California. And there are some advantages when you use marijuana clones instead of using the seed to grow cannabis.

If you choose marijuana clones, it is certain that all of the plants are female. If you want to know the mother plant and the development process of clones, you can clone. However, before starting, you should consult some relevant information and tips. Below are 10 Secrets to Successful Marijuana Cloning.

#1: Take your cannabis cuttings from a healthy mother plant.

One thing you should know is that if you clone marijuana, clone care and research should be considered – you will obtain genetic versions, which are similar to the mother plant. So, choosing a vigorous and healthy mother plant plays an essential role in this method.

It will take a certain time for the cuttings’ roots to develop. Therefore, the clones will raise their new root systems by absorbing necessary nutrients from water and stored carbohydrates.

You are also advised not to choose a parent plant that is inclined to pests or sickness. If you want to keep the mother plant for a long time, it is necessary to fertilize regularly and appropriately. Another thing is that you need to keep an eye on her age and remember to store backup genetics because she can die at any time.

#2: Choosing and Removing Branches From the Donor Plant

You may think that all produced branches are the same, but they are not. I usually choose branches for cloning with 4 following characteristics:

• They are vibrant and healthy.
• The veins of leaves are both translucent and clean.
• Their structures include six nodes at least.
• The stems’ diameter should be the same or a little larger than the holes’ diameter in rockwool cubes.

#3: Use a Sharp Blade to Take Cuttings

Use a very clean and sharp knife to cut a good branch from the mother plant. It is compulsory that the branch is composed of one growth tip as a minimum. In other words, new shoot and leaves are likely to grow well from that branch.

You should choose the blade carefully before cutting because it may have an impact on the branch. The sharp blade can make the cut clean, so the number of damaged tissues will reduce significantly, and the branch can develop healthily, too.

#4: Cut at an Angle

Source: growweedeasy.com

You should cut the branch at an angle so that the surface of the cut is largest. Such cut will help the branch absorb more water as well as encourage the development of successful rooting.

#5: Wrap the End of the Cutting in Tape

Wind the bottom of the cuttings with the tape and keep a part of it in the dark. This process is known as the etiolation, of which purpose is to imitate the characteristics of the soil and to boost the rooting process from the cuttings.

#6: Make a Second Cut Under Running Water

If your strain is difficult for cloning, this way may be helpful. In case the cut stem is put into the air, the capillary activities may be stopped and affect the flow of water absorbed into plants.

Therefore, after making the second cut under running water, you should put the cutting into the rooting solution so that it can’t be exposed to the air.

#7: Cleanliness

Make sure that everything is always kept clean because such conditions can ensure the development and health of the rooted cuttings. If the breeding environment is moist and warm, it will create favorable conditions for some diseases, such as stem rot, to develop.

By cleaning all things carefully during the process of cloning, some harmful fungi or bacteria can’t intrude into the cuttings through dirty fingers or tools. Therefore, it is important to rinse, scrub and cleanse all relevant materials while cutting.

#8: Use Gentle Lights

You have to remember that it is very easy for clones to burn, so using fluorescent lighting is truly ideal for them to grow instead of using HID lights, which are so intense and hot.

Besides, you can also put clones near the window so that they can receive sunlight directly. However, if you make use of a humidity dome, you have to be careful because it will become very hot in only a short time.

#9: Aeroponic Cloning: Next-Level Plant Propagation

If you are more interested in plant propagation, or you don’t want to wait when applying traditional methods or rooting clones, then the aeroponic cloning machine that can help you achieve results in a short time is what you are looking for.

As an efficient catalyst, aeroponic cloning exploits the oxygen boosts to accelerate the process of rooting.

In addition, aeroponics also supports for the diffusion of nutrient solution and contribute to expanding the surface for dissolved oxygen.

This can stop any funk and create an ideal environment for your plant to breathe, grow and root as well.

Nevertheless, the ventilating or breezing activities should be avoided in propagation area so as not to create moisture stress.

#10: Give Your Marijuana Clones Consistent Climate

Source: cannaconsultinggroup.com

In general, most of the cannabis clones are usually grown in conditions with a little bit higher temperature than the ideal temperature in the grow room. They may be affected if the temperature decreases at night. Therefore, to root the cuttings quickly, many growers keep them exposed to fluorescent lighting all day.

Unlike the best temperature ranges for many types of roots, you should maintain the temperature at 80°F to allow for the solution to work well. Such temperature is likely to promote the metabolism of your clone and encourage the root to develop. However, you have to make sure that everything is clean.

Remember that if the temperature is lower than that level, the root’s development may be halted or even no longer grow, especially if the temperature around the root area is under 69°F.

Therefore, you have to take notice of the temperature regularly, especially the temperature of the area containing the cuttings’ root. And you can increase the temperature with a propagation heating mat.

If you are using the method of hydroponics like aeroponics or deep water culture, you can raise the temperature of water by an aquarium heater.

If the temperature of the cuttings’ root area is over 79 °F, the risk that an overwhelmingly humid environment is created and your cuttings may be damaged by microorganisms is very high.

If you are in that situation, you should keep the temperature lower a little and check it regularly so that the temperature of the cuttings’ zone is always in ideal ranges.

Author Bio:

Leslie J. Shearer is the founder and owner of the blog colorgardening.com. Gardening is her passion and she has a deep relationship with nature. Growing plants and digging deep to germinate flowers and vegetables brings positivity in her life.