How big do you want a Mother?

I'd like to keep some mothers, lets say 3-4, each of a different strain, and plan to take any where from 10-20 clones from each one every 1-2 months depending on how things go. The Question is: How big do they need to be to support this, and whats the smallest I can keep them? I dont want to use a 5 gallon bucket because I know they can become pretty F#$%ing big, will a 3 gallon container be big enough? I plan on using an organic soil mixed with hydroton.

I would say you need to wait at least 6 weeks of vegetation to be able to take 20 cuttings per month but i might be wrong. As for the size.. just let them grow and get bigger.. you will be able to take more cuttings over time..

Yeah, I'd like for them to bet bigger, but I'd like to keep them withing the constraints of a closet or grow tent, so as you can see, that really wouldnt work for me, besides bigger plants need more light, something else I dont want to do, should I just make fresh mothers out of subsequent clones, or will I just speed up the degradation of my genetics by cloning more often?

Make new mothers every 6 months to a year if you need to. I just replaced my moms with healthier ones. Yes you can keep them on the smaller side and bushy. Heres a good link

https://www.rollitup.org/advanced-marijuana-cultivation/19634-bonsai-mothers-going-distance.html

Nice! thx alot!