** new clone clippings rotting **

Hey All, I have been having some problems with my new clone cuttings for a while now, and decided I would try to get some help here. I usually don't post my problems, cause to be honest with you, I usually don't get much/good advise,, More of people just kinda yelling out something they heard or read at one time, and not much in the way of Knowledgeable support, so I am hoping for better results this time around.

Anyway, I have been taking cuttings for a while now, and almost every time I take a few, I end up getting this rot on a few of them.

I originally thought it was Black/Gray Mold,, But my RH Humidity barely breaks 60% most of the time.. The dome helps keep the humidity up a bit, but I can tell you, that my clones are not staying too Humid or Wet.

I have experimented with both Misting the Leaves and NOT Misting the Leaves, and still get this rot.

I have good air exchange.

Temps stay in the High 70's most of the time

MOST of the Clones that get this Rot DO end up rooting, then into cups, and they end up Growing out just fine..

My process is as follows:

1. Clean scissors off with Alcohol.

2. Take Clipping and remove lower fan leaves

3. Dip stem into Rooting Gel

4. Place clone into Root Riot Cube

5. Moisten Cube (experimented with both RO water PH'd, and a Mix of Tap & RO without PH)

6. Mist Dome, Put dome ON with Vents Closed for 2 days (remove dome to air out a couple times per day)

7. Open Vents on Day 3

8. Remove Dome on Day 5 (have also experimented with Leaving dome on until rooted, but problem still persists)

I will then see the Rot start to form about day 5 or 6 on a few of the clones. This is where my Problem Starts!!!!!!

I have done my research on this one, and found other posts of people with the same problem, but they didn't really get a good answer either. They got the usual "Dont Mist your Leaves", "Humidity is TOO High", and basically most of what I have already checked, tried or altered.

At this point, I have run out of options.. I keep them from being too moist, I have watered with RO water as well as a Mix which gets to about 100ppm. I have tried Super Thrive, I have tried not PH'ing the Water, I have Tried Leaving the Dome on as well as Taking it off as soon as possible, I have tried Misting them, and Not Misting them, at this point I simply don't know what else to try.

If you have had any experience with this rot, please chime in and educate me!!!

Domes with wet rw cubes or jiffys in it are higher than 60% humidity bro. It has to be the dome or you watering the medium too much, only wet the cubes etc 50% . Learn to clone without domes or misting, just heat mats.

what are your humidity and temps INSIDE the dome?

I'd really look at providing more fresh air.

I suggest:
1. open the vents on the dome and leave them open. Do this from day 1.
2. Put some soiless media or root cubes or crumpled paper towels in the empty neighboring cells and keep them moist.
3. remove the dome a few times a day and LIGHTLY mist, and let them air for an hour or so before replacing the dome. Do this from day 1.
4. get a heat mat and set it to upper 70s (unless your night temps are above 75)

One thing that I do differently than you describe is, I only leave the dome on for 24 hrs, and I make damn sure I can be there at the 24th hour to pull it off. Like baking bread. Otherwise, I think your method is sound and shouldn't cause slime, goop, or mold. Also, be sure you're not mistaking excess cloning gel as slime, that tends to kinda float out the top. Change out the water in your tray every 4-5 days. There should also be just a touch of heat from under the tray, just a slight bit.

I'm somewhat surprised they actually survived 3 days under a humidity dome for you.