Cloning wax gives good results and is very reliable. Wetting agents can be used prior to the wax treatment to facilitate the wax's adherence to the plants surface.
1) Prepare the work area ensuring segregated areas of a bench for each
step, using clean utensils and a slender glass to pour the cloning wax into.
2) Soak rockwool propagator in treated water, or dehumidifier/air-
conditioning run-off, or bottled water, plus a root stimulator.
3) Try to take the cutting from as low down on the main stem as permitted.
Unless a mother plant is being used for quantity, a cutting of
approximately 10-15cm+ is adequate. Each cutting should have about 3 or
4 leaf sets
4) Place cutting stems straight into a glass of carbonated mineral water when removed
from the mother. This really gives them a lift, and counteracts the shock they suffer.
5) Now the cutting is ready for the final cut to the stem. Remove from the
glass, choose an area at least 3/4" from the original cut, and with scissors
gently scrape a 1/2" area until the rough surface is replaced with a silky
smooth, moist surface, rotating the stem to treat the full circumference of
the area. Then, in the center of the prepared surface, cut the stem at an
angle.
6) Place back into mineral water if using powder (if using gel dip - as soon as possible),
then roll the end through the rooting powder.
7) Cut each leaf in half, across the blades to improve transpiration*.
(*Transpiration is the evaporation of water from the aerial parts of
plants, especially leaves but also stems, flowers and roots.)
8) Holding the stem, dip each cutting into the glass of cloning wax, ensuring
full coverage of leaves. Leave for approximately 10 seconds.
9) Take the cutting from the from the wax, allowing the excess to run off
back into the container.
(Left over wax can be poured back into its container and reused until an
obvious long period has passed, or you run out.)
10) Place each cutting into a rockwool cube and place each cube in the
propagator tray.
No hood is required as the wax provides a personal hood for each cutting. No heat pad is required either, just a warm environment provided by a 24 hour light cycle (with fluorescent lights) for the first week, as this really helps their transition and offsets the shock.
Do not allow the cubes to dry out, but do not leave water on the floor of the propagator. For the first week, when the blocks need moistening, use bottled spring water (or water from dehumidifier/air-con runoff), and root sensitser. After the first week, start using a hydroponic nutrient, A + B, at a ratio of 1ml A to 1ml B to 1 litre water, plus root stimulator.
Use this flood and drain method to apply the feeds:
1) For the cuttings, use a double (inner and outer) propagator tray where the
inner tray has holes in the bottom.
2) Take a second, outer propagator tray and fill to approximately half way up
with the water, or nutrient, root stimulator mix.
3) Remove the inner tray that the cuttings sit on and lower into the second
outer tray until the liquid comes 1/3 - 1/2 the way up the cubes; leave for
about 10 minutes.
4) Lift the inner tray out, place back into the original outer tray and place
back under the florescents.
The cubes should be fine for 2-3 days before the next soak. No foliar feeding what so ever, and the roots should come through after 8-10 days, environment pending.
The above methods are copied from the great book; "The Good Bud Guide" by Abbie, full of mouthwatering photos and handy step-by-step guides.
1) Prepare the work area ensuring segregated areas of a bench for each
step, using clean utensils and a slender glass to pour the cloning wax into.
2) Soak rockwool propagator in treated water, or dehumidifier/air-
conditioning run-off, or bottled water, plus a root stimulator.
3) Try to take the cutting from as low down on the main stem as permitted.
Unless a mother plant is being used for quantity, a cutting of
approximately 10-15cm+ is adequate. Each cutting should have about 3 or
4 leaf sets
4) Place cutting stems straight into a glass of carbonated mineral water when removed
from the mother. This really gives them a lift, and counteracts the shock they suffer.
5) Now the cutting is ready for the final cut to the stem. Remove from the
glass, choose an area at least 3/4" from the original cut, and with scissors
gently scrape a 1/2" area until the rough surface is replaced with a silky
smooth, moist surface, rotating the stem to treat the full circumference of
the area. Then, in the center of the prepared surface, cut the stem at an
angle.
6) Place back into mineral water if using powder (if using gel dip - as soon as possible),
then roll the end through the rooting powder.
7) Cut each leaf in half, across the blades to improve transpiration*.
(*Transpiration is the evaporation of water from the aerial parts of
plants, especially leaves but also stems, flowers and roots.)
8) Holding the stem, dip each cutting into the glass of cloning wax, ensuring
full coverage of leaves. Leave for approximately 10 seconds.
9) Take the cutting from the from the wax, allowing the excess to run off
back into the container.
(Left over wax can be poured back into its container and reused until an
obvious long period has passed, or you run out.)
10) Place each cutting into a rockwool cube and place each cube in the
propagator tray.
No hood is required as the wax provides a personal hood for each cutting. No heat pad is required either, just a warm environment provided by a 24 hour light cycle (with fluorescent lights) for the first week, as this really helps their transition and offsets the shock.
Do not allow the cubes to dry out, but do not leave water on the floor of the propagator. For the first week, when the blocks need moistening, use bottled spring water (or water from dehumidifier/air-con runoff), and root sensitser. After the first week, start using a hydroponic nutrient, A + B, at a ratio of 1ml A to 1ml B to 1 litre water, plus root stimulator.
Use this flood and drain method to apply the feeds:
1) For the cuttings, use a double (inner and outer) propagator tray where the
inner tray has holes in the bottom.
2) Take a second, outer propagator tray and fill to approximately half way up
with the water, or nutrient, root stimulator mix.
3) Remove the inner tray that the cuttings sit on and lower into the second
outer tray until the liquid comes 1/3 - 1/2 the way up the cubes; leave for
about 10 minutes.
4) Lift the inner tray out, place back into the original outer tray and place
back under the florescents.
The cubes should be fine for 2-3 days before the next soak. No foliar feeding what so ever, and the roots should come through after 8-10 days, environment pending.
The above methods are copied from the great book; "The Good Bud Guide" by Abbie, full of mouthwatering photos and handy step-by-step guides.
