Quick Cloning Question

I cloned today for the first time and was wondering how much light to give the clones right away. I have them in a 35 gallon storage bin with 3 75 watt fluorescent grow lights (75 watts of light output according to the box) but I'm currently only running two of them. The top light is around 12 inches from the clones and the two side lights are about 6-7 inches away. I'm using regular printer paper as a reflector. I soaked the rockwool, used Olivia's Cloning Gel, and misted them immediately after then put the lid on. How many of the fluorescents should be on? Also how often should I mist them? Pics attached, thanks in advance.

i generally keep light on them for 24 hours a day for 2 weeks. once i see a healthy root system, i turn it to 18/6. i mist mine in the morning afternoon (if I am able to) and night

Thanks for the advice, but what about the amount of light they require. I read in a post by Rollitup titled "Cloning Marijuana Plants" that direct light may burn them in the early stages, has anyone else experienced this? I do have direct light on them as you can see from the pictures.

mo_sizzly said:

Thanks for the advice, but what about the amount of light they require. I read in a post by Rollitup titled "Cloning Marijuana Plants" that direct light may burn them in the early stages, has anyone else experienced this? I do have direct light on them as you can see from the pictures.

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They need about 500 lumens per sq foot in clone and seedling stage. How many lumens are your lights putting out? You can work it out from that. If one of your 75w lights is outputting say 5,000 lumens at 1 foot, at 2 foot it will output 5,000/2x2=1,250 lumens per sq foot, at 3 foot 5,000/3x3=555. So about 3 feet away for the first week.

I put my two little clones in a propagator under a 20w energy saver which outputs 1200 lumens at about 12 inches, at about 18 inches away from them.

You should mist them once or twice a day and keep the humidity dome on for the first couple of weeks at least or until you see roots forming.

The high humidity environment allows the little clones to retain as much moisture as possible by transpiring as little water as possible because as they haven't yet formed roots, they have no way of taking water into their system via the roots. This allows them to put as much energy as possible into root formation.

Also, use a 18/6 hour light cycle, not 24, as most of the root development occurs during lights off.

those lights wont burn those plants. And if you use a humidity dome you can't get those lights close enough to burn them.

VictorVIcious said:

those lights wont burn those plants. And if you use a humidity dome you can't get those lights close enough to burn them.

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Vv, it's not a question of 'burning them' it's a question of giving them far too much light than they can handle at such a young age. Clones and seedlings are very delicate whilst they're developing their root system and need lower levels of light so their roots can keep up with the nutrient and water uptake to supply leaves and foliage for photosynthesis and growth. If the plant receives too much light, itll try and produce more green foliage than the roots can supply water and nutrients to and growth will slow down and the plant can become stunted.

Great advice Babygro. I only have one of the lights on now, and it's the one that's 12 inchesa from the clones.