Cloning is a growing process of rooting marijuana cuttings, also referred as propagation. Cloning marijuana is a method of cannabis reproduction that results in a plant that is genetically similar to the parent plant from which the clone was derived. Cloning marijuana cuttings is intended to stimulate rapid and vigorous root development while retaining the plant's DNA. Seeds and marijuana tissue culture procedures are two more ways of propagation. Cloning is a type of asexual reproduction that reduces the risk of bad genetic changes that can arise when female and male plant pairings reproduce sexually. This is best done once you've discovered a superb strain in the crop that you'd like to reproduce over and over again.
A standard clone is around 6 inches long, and after being taken from the parent plant, it is placed in a medium like a root cube and supplied a hormone to promote root development. The clone will then put into a container or sown into the ground, where it will thrive like any other marijuana plant.
What You Need for Cloning
- To acquire your clones, you'll need a "parent" plant.
- Marijuana growers use sharp scissors or razors to take cuttings for clones, trimming and defoliation. Investing in sharp, high-quality scissors will allow you to focus more on the plants and assure perfect cuts.
- Starter cubes for the clones
- Powerful light, though not excessively so T5 grow lights, CFLs, Metal Halide from afar, and other sources of light Most T5 models were created with clones and seedlings in mind. If placed further away, other, stronger artificial light such as Metal Halide can be employed. The sun can do the job as well.
- Cloning powder or cloning gel (or both) – Optional
- Humidity domes for the clones or Aeroponic semi-automatic cloner- Optional
- Heating mat (particularly for cold climates)- Optional
Why clone marijuana plants?
Although they take some time to root out, cultivating cannabis from a clone saves time because you wouldn't have to germinate seeds, which cuts the growth period by a month or two. Clones also save room in the garden, as opposed to seeds, which require you to sow a large number of them and then sex them to identify and eliminate the males. In addition, certain seeds do not germinate. All such seeds will take up a lot of room, and some may not grow into mature plants. It is free if you take a cutting from a plant that you already have, so you'll save a lot of money. All you have to do is buy some materials. One can, however, purchase clones from a dispensary if they don't have access to them freely.
What is a mother plant?
Any marijuana plant from which you have taken a clone is referred to as a mother plant. Mother plants should be strong and healthy since their genes will be passed down to the clones. When clones are snipped off, mother plants remain in the vegetative state. It's crucial not to take clones from a blossoming cannabis plant since this might transform the clone into a hermaphrodite. Certain growers have specialized mother plants that are solely used for cuttings, however this setup requires a lot of room and materials because you'll need to maintain the mother plant alive, but you won't receive any buds from it as it will constantly remain in the vegetative state. This may not be the greatest option if your growing area is limited.
The other technique used by growers is to take clones from a group of mother plants before they blossom, then allow the plants into flowering phase. Once the next group of clones has grown large enough, clones will be removed from them before they are allowed to blossom. Every cycle will be an identical copy of the mother plant since clones are genetically similar. The genetic consistency of marijuana mother plants ensures that each new breed of clones has the same flavor, aroma, potency, and other traits. Clones will normally develop at almost the same pace as the mother, generate a similarly quality product, and thrive with the same vigor—though some believe that quality will deteriorate with time.
How to take a cutting from a mother plant
Go for plants that are robust, strong, and two months or more into the vegetative phase when choosing a cannabis mother plant to clone from. It is not a good idea to remove a clone from a plant after it has begun to blossom. For a couple of days before taking cuttings, don't fertilize mother plants. This will enable nitrogen to escape from the leaves. An oversupply of nitrogen can lure the clones into generating foliage rather than roots once you make cuttings. Make sure you're working in a sterile setting. Gloves should be used, and scissors and razors should be disinfected.
To take a cutting, cut just above a node on the mother plant with a pair of sharp scissors or a razor to remove the branch you'll be cloning. Once the cutting is done, use the razor for trimming the region underneath the node where the cutting was done at a 45 ° angle, which will assist the roots expand. Put the cutting in an inert rooting medium and dip the sliced section in a rooting hormone since it is not suited for soil yet. Trim the clone's leaves at the tip to aid with photosynthesis, as well as any small leaves near the base should be clipped off as well because they don't fare well under stress.
Caring for the cuttings
For any young cuttings, moisture and hygiene are essential. Multiple trims should typically be taken and put at the same time. A few clones may die, which is to be expected, and they should be evacuated as quickly as possible. To keep the proper quantity of moisture at all times, a spray bottle filled with water should be used many times a day. Lighting is also vital since they need to be exposed to light for 18 hours a day, although keeping the light at a safe distance from the clones will work. During this period, they are highly susceptible to illnesses and shock, so take extra measures while handling them.
Inspecting the clones
Most pests, illnesses, chemical residues, or gene mutations are not visible to the naked eye, so inspect the clones well before planting them. The clones won't develop healthily if they appear sickly or fragile. Make a thorough inspection of the clone for pests in all locations. Larger pests like spider mites and fungus gnats are quite easy to identify. Inspect underneath the leaves and the soil medium, for pests that may be present. Spider mites form webs and spots, other insects can also leave noticeable spots, among other things.
Most diseases in clones are hard to identify, however there are a few physical indications that can be spotted early on. Look for drooping leaves, uneven or mutant growth, and discoloration. Powdery mildew is a prevalent clone infection with mold spores that can spread to neighboring plants. Check for white substance on the leaves and stems. On a clone, it's nearly difficult to identify toxic fungicides or pesticides. The applications usually leave no trace and can remain on a plant for the rest of its life.
Transplanting cannabis clones
Check the bottom of the auto-cloner or tray every day to ensure sure the clones have sufficient water. Tiny white roots should start to emerge from the bottom of the cutting around 10 to 14 days, however some will root out faster than others. It's time to transfer the cuttings into a growth medium once the roots have grown to approximately an inch or two in length. When preparing for a transplant, make sure the surroundings is sterile. Start preparing the soil for the clones ahead of time with care. Ensure the soil is pre-watered so the rooted clones don't move about after they're planted, then carefully set them in a hole that's approximately one to two inches deep. Because they are still highly delicate, shock might occur here, therefore wear gloves when handling clones and don't add nutrients at this stage. They may be handled like a regular plant when they've adapted, which should take about a week.
In a nutshell, to transplant:
- First, fill your pots with soil.
- So that the soil doesn't shift around after the clone is transplanted, moisten the soil prior to transplantation.
- Once the water has been drained, use two fingers to dig a hole about an inch to two inches deep, or enough to cover all of the roots.
- Place the clone in the soil and carefully cover it.
Conclusion
Cloning is a fantastic approach to keep exceptional genes alive and well in coming generations while also extending the life of a crop. In the event that viable male and female marijuana plants are picked, interbreeding is another perfect approach to growing cannabis. Cloning, however, is difficult to beat in terms of consistency, budget and the easy of achieving the desired results as a grower has prior information on the strain the clone was obtained from.