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In the realm of agriculture, the practice of vegetative propagation, colloquially referred to as “cloning”, holds a remarkable significance. Its absence would render several crops commercially non-viable, including but not limited to bananas, apples, grapes, and sugarcane. The method of cloning ascends to a pivotal role within the cannabis industry, fostering uniform growth and maintaining distinct attributes such as flavor and effect.
It is an indubitable fact that cloning serves as a cornerstone in various forms of commercial agriculture, encompassing a diverse range of crops such as cannabis, apples, and bananas. The necessity of cloning is pronounced especially in plants like Salvia divinorum, which do not yield viable seeds. In the context of cannabis cultivation, cloning facilitates the reproduction of plants embodying optimal robustness, effects, and growth patterns.
Provided that the prevailing conditions permit, establishing a dedicated cloning chamber presents an invaluable strategy to preserve and enhance your genetic repository. Nevertheless, the foundation of a proficient cloning room infrastructure stands paramount to engendering healthy clones with consistent regularity.
What constitutes the process of cloning?
“Cloning” entails the meticulous procedure of severing a terminal branch, characterized by its terminal shoot or the presence of a new pair of leaves at its apex, from a burgeoning plant. Subsequently, this detached branch fragment is carefully induced to initiate root growth from the severed stem, thereby metamorphosing into an entirely distinct and self-sustaining plant organism.
This method ensures that all cuttings procured from a “mother” plant, when subjected to identical growth conditions, will exhibit uniform growth characteristics. This uniformity arises from the fact that these cuttings are genetic “clones” sharing an identical DNA profile. Within the domain of cannabis cultivation, this translates into a virtually assured attainment of the desired flavor and effect, a level of certainty that often exceeds what can be achieved through seed-based cultivation, even with the most stable strains.
Although the fundamental process remains consistent across various plant species, it is noteworthy that the term “cloning” appears to hold a cannabis-specific connotation. Consequently, when seeking supplies at your local garden center, it might be judicious to refer to these offspring as “cuttings” rather than “clones,” contingent upon the prevailing local regulations and sensitivities.
Selecting the Ideal Mother Plant
The process of choosing an optimal mother plant stands as a pivotal step in the realm of cloning and merits profound consideration. Immortalizing or significantly extending the natural lifespan of a genetic entity through cloning bears merit primarily when it possesses substantial value as a commercially viable strain.
Traditionally, growers and breeders embark on the selection of mother plants based on an array of crucial criteria. These encompass productivity, stature, growth rate, potency, flowering duration, flavor, and effect. In addition to these fundamental attributes, more specialized characteristics may warrant consideration, such as heightened CBD levels, which have garnered increasing popularity within the medical sphere, or resilience to cold climates, catering to growers in northern regions.
In the context of cultivating plants from seeds, the unpredictable nature of a potential mother plant’s characteristics, until it reaches the flowering stage, necessitates a strategic approach. Consequently, cuttings should be extracted from seed-grown plants after a few weeks within the vegetative phase. These cuttings are then subjected to root development and promptly exposed to a 12/12 light cycle to initiate the flowering phase. Subsequently, the selected mothers of the most promising cuttings can be perpetually maintained under vegetative growth conditions, thereby facilitating the ongoing generation of additional cuttings.
Key Considerations for Establishing Your Setup
The requirement for a substantial physical footprint to establish a clone room is not a necessity. In fact, with judicious planning, it is feasible to convert even compact spaces, such as wardrobes or cupboards, into efficient environments capable of yielding several hundred clones at regular intervals. Ideally, however, a spacious walk-in closet or a compact yet functional room, spanning a minimum of 2-3 square meters, represents an optimal starting point.
The effective utilization of available space can be maximized through the strategic installation of shelves. Clones, by their very nature, demand minimal vertical clearance and can be accommodated alongside trays and lighting systems within a mere 40 centimeters of height.
Before initiating operations within your clone room, it is imperative to establish a stringent regimen of cleanliness and sterility. Ideally, the walls should be adorned with washable paint, with white being the most optimal choice. Furthermore, meticulous attention should be devoted to the thorough cleansing of all surfaces within the room, while also ensuring their amenability to effortless cleaning in subsequent maintenance.
A crucial aspect of maintaining cleanliness is the strict exclusion of non-essential items from the room’s confines. This judicious practice not only simplifies the cleaning process but also upholds the room’s pristine conditions, facilitating seamless transitions between production runs.
Lights
A paramount consideration when selecting lighting systems for cloning purposes resides in their capacity to emit cool light. The conventional high-temperature, high-output lighting fixtures typically employed for vegetative and flowering growth phases prove excessively intense and warm for cuttings in the delicate rooting stage.
Hence, the prudent choice encompasses the utilization of cool fluorescent (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, bearing in mind the selection of blue-white, often referred to as “cool white,” light. This choice aligns with the natural progression of daylight during the spring season, which predominantly exhibits blue light wavelengths conducive to plant growth. Conversely, as the seasons transition towards late summer and autumn, daylight progressively shifts towards the red end of the spectrum, influencing the characteristic coloration of flowering lights, which tend to be more yellowish-red, and vegetative lights, which assume a bluer hue. For clone cultivation, the imperative objective centers on promoting vegetative growth, encompassing the development of leaves, stems, and roots, thus emphasizing the utmost importance of employing suitable lighting conditions.
Trays, tools, and cloning kits
Specialized cloning trays, readily accessible at the majority of garden supply establishments, serve as invaluable tools due to their capacity to furnish discrete compartments for each cutting. This strategic feature proves instrumental in averting the entanglement of roots emanating from distinct plants as they undergo growth.
Additionally, there exists an array of comprehensive hydroponic and aeroponic cloning systems on the market, encompassing lighting, trays, ventilation, and irrigation components seamlessly integrated into a single unit. While pre-fabricated setups may command a substantial price, it is entirely feasible to undertake a cost-effective, do-it-yourself approach.
Nevertheless, it is also viable to employ economical plastic trays or containers that lack designated compartments for individual cuttings. In the eventuality of root entanglement, it is noteworthy that trimming the roots does not inflict harm upon the cuttings. In fact, some cultivators hold the belief that such a rigorous intervention can stimulate the emergence of fresh roots with heightened branching, thereby fostering more robust growth.
Preparation of Your Cuttings
Essential Tools and Materials Required:
- A parent or mother plant.
- Scissors or secateurs; alternatively, a sharp and impeccably clean razor blade or scalpel.
- A designated cutting surface, such as a silicone baking sheet or ceramic dish.
- A receptacle, such as a cup or glass, filled to two-thirds capacity with lukewarm water.
- A growth substrate, such as rock wool cubes.
- Rooting gel or powder.
- A plastic spray mister bottle.
- A propagation chamber, preferably equipped with heating capabilities.
The Process of Extracting Cuttings and Cloning Cannabis
Initial Step: Commence by thoroughly immersing the rooting blocks in water, allowing them to saturate completely. This soaking process should extend for a duration of up to fifteen minutes to guarantee optimal saturation. It is strongly advised to modulate the water’s pH to a range of roughly 6.0-6.5 prior to submerging the cubes.
Cutting Acquisition: While the rooting medium undergoes saturation, employ either scissors or secateurs to procure cuttings from the mother plant. These cuttings should encompass the outer 3-4 leaf nodes of a terminal stem or branch.
Trimming Process: Using a razor blade or scalpel, meticulously eliminate all but the uppermost leaf nodes from the cutting, positioning the cuts as close to the stem as feasible. There exists a disparity of opinions among growers concerning the necessity of scraping away the outer bark layers to expose the inner stem, which serves as the locus for new root growth.
Rooting Hormone Application: Submerge the cutting into rooting hormone, ensuring thorough coverage of the lowermost 1cm or so of the stem.
Rooting Block Preparation: Retrieve the rooting blocks from the water and gently extract excess moisture, rendering them sufficiently wet but not dripping.
Insertion into Rooting Block: Insert the hormone-coated tip of the stem into the rooting block, submerging it to a depth of 3-4 cm. Position the prepared cutting within the propagator.
Maturation Period: Provided that the appropriate environmental conditions are meticulously upheld, the cuttings should exhibit visible roots protruding from the rooting blocks within a span of 2-3 weeks, signifying their readiness for transplantation.
Sustaining Cannabis Cuttings
In accordance with a general protocol, it is imperative to uphold a consistent temperature range spanning from 20°C to 26°C, coupled with a relative humidity level set within the range of 90% to 100%. Following the initial two or three days, a gradual reduction in relative humidity (RH) is permissible, yet it should always be maintained above the threshold of 60-70%.
It is essential to underscore that the successful cloning of cannabis hinges on the meticulous maintenance of specific environmental conditions. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the three primary cannabis subtypes, colloquially recognized as “sativa,” “indica,” and “ruderalis,” may exhibit nuanced variations in their requisites.
Given the widespread hybridization of commercial strains and the obscured genetic lineage of many, determining the precise needs of a particular variety may necessitate a degree of trial and error. It is prudent to anticipate potential losses among the clones. Until the specific requirements of a strain are definitively ascertained, the practice of generating a surplus of clones beyond immediate requirements is recommended.
Humidity, Temperature, and Mold Control
Cannabis is susceptible to the development of rot and mold, notably manifesting as powdery mildew and botrytis, commonly referred to as grey mold. Consequently, meticulous precautions must be exercised to mitigate the onset of mold while concurrently sustaining optimal moisture levels to ensure the adequate hydration of plant tissues and facilitate the rooting process.
Extended and direct exposure to water, as observed in instances of excessive moisture within the growing medium, can lead to the deterioration of stems. The onset of stem rot, whether triggered by fungal agents such as botrytis or induced by direct water exposure, typically culminates in the necessity to discard the affected clones.
It is noteworthy that the maintenance of consistently high humidity levels combined with a sustained low-to-moderate temperature creates an environment conducive to mold proliferation. To counteract this issue, establishing robust airflow, often achieved with the implementation of a small fan, proves instrumental. Such airflow functions by dissipating saturated air and introducing fresh, uncontaminated air to the delicate stems and leaves, thus curbing the mold growth potential.
Ventilation
Launching into the endeavor of propagating clones from your cannabis plants signifies a substantial degree of skill and acumen in the realm of cultivation. Nonetheless, the pivotal role of ventilation in this undertaking cannot be underscored enough, given its direct impact on the well-being of your clones. We invite you to ponder upon the following salient considerations, infused with a spirit of adventurism and unique insights:
At their nascent stage, clones mirror the characteristics of diminutive seedlings, boasting a delicate constitution. A surge in humidity could potentially foster an ideal breeding ground for airborne adversaries like fungus and mold. By championing robust ventilation strategies, one can modulate the humidity within the clone chambers to optimum levels, thereby thwarting the onset of such threats.
Diverging from mainstream notions, prioritizing “in-flow” ventilation – with the backing of recommended HEPA filters – over “out-flow” ventilation emerges as a cardinal rule in clone nurturing. Contrary to mature plants, clones exhibit minimal odor production, nullifying the necessity to extensively filter air exiting the room. The focus, thus, shifts to invigorating the room with a regular influx of fresh air, fostering a clean environment, and sustaining a balanced humidity spectrum.
While being ensconced in covered trays, it is essential to remember that your clones demand room to breathe and flourish. Endeavor to unveil the trays daily, granting them a fleeting yet vital window to rejuvenate and embrace fresh air. This gesture also paves the way for meticulous inspection, allowing for early detection of diseases or pest infestation.
Embarking upon the journey of cannabis cloning could be perceived as a daunting task for neophytes in the realm of cannabis cultivation. Moreover, the venture does not shed its intricate nuances even for seasoned cultivators, maintaining a lingering essence of capriciousness. However, by boldly embracing the guidelines delineated above, you are likely to witness favorable outcomes. Remember, a hands-on approach complemented by a cycle of trial and error remains the premier pathway to mastering the art of precise cuttings. Forge ahead with gusto and carve your niche in the exciting world of cannabis cultivation!
