Hey all! I have never cloned before and I just have a question about where to cut the clone? Do I need to have an internode below the growing medium for a clone to take? Or will cutting it at a 45-degree angle and scraping off the stem until the cambium shows be enough? Any input would be appreciated thanks guys and gals.
You cut just below the node, on a 45 degree angle with a razor blade, (do not scrape them its not necessary) ... that node and preferably other nodes will be below the cloning media. (which you watered beforehand)
Your clone material should be older/ mature semi hardwood and the stems firm, not soft, dont take clones from new or soft growth.
Place your clone deep in the growing media after applying rooting hormone, slightly firm in place into the cloning media.
You clones should be approximately 15cm
Mist only once with water.
after cloning place clones in the dark in a cool area for 12 hours.
Do not water or mist again until rooted.
after coming out of the dark cool room after 12 hours, place in a fairly cool area, with only filtered light, (think low light that comes through a window that has blinds semi closed.
Once you have roots out the bottom you can apply more light, increasing it to normal veg intensity over 2 days.
Pumice sand or perlite is a good media to use when cloning, store purchased seed raising mix works fine too.
But you must not mist or water until you have roots.
Do not use clone domes
Again do not mist or water your clones until they have roots, this will delay rooting.
Keep them cool and low light until they root.
It is a good idea to give your mother plants potassium silicate 4-5 days prior to cloning , this helps firm the stems.
If your cloning stems are firm/ semi hard when using this method above you should get 100% strike rate.
Cut your clone leaves in half with scissors to reduce transpiration loss.
The lower branches of your mother plant make better clones than the top part of the plant.
This is because they are older firmer, and not as soft as the rapidly fast growing top part of the plant.
