Lets Build a Clone Machine *Step by Step*

[brizoke]

Hi Rumple. I really appreciate the work you do helping others on here. I have a few question for you. I am growing White Widow and am having no luck using a bubble cloner.

1. Would an ecoplus 185 gph pump and a 3 gallon bucket work? I was thinking of trying to recreate the bucket cloner they sell on ebay.

2. You said you would have problems when the water temp dropped below 75. What problems?

3. Have you tried using plain water in the cloner?

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by brizoke

Hi Rumple. I really appreciate the work you do helping others on here. I have a few question for you. I am growing White Widow and am having no luck using a bubble cloner.

1. Would an ecoplus 185 gph pump and a 3 gallon bucket work? I was thinking of trying to recreate the bucket cloner they sell on ebay.

2. You said you would have problems when the water temp dropped below 75. What problems?

3. Have you tried using plain water in the cloner?

Remember some plants can take more then three weeks to grow roots and I have seens some sprout roots in a week. Every strain I try in the clone machine has a different time. My white widow starts to yellow a bit on some of the cuttings when the roots just start poping out. If I keep too many leaves on a cutting, the bottom ones tend to brown up in some cases. But all root if given enough time.

Temps play a big role when cloning. Between 80 and 85 degrees seems to be the sweet spot. When it goes below 75 degrees, they dont root, die, or do anything. They just sit forever suspend.
Right now my clone box is around 90 degrees. I can't do much to help it get any cooler because it's 90 outside. I can count on waiting a few extra days to see roots when temps get above 90, but they still root. I have cloned in temps above 95 degrees, it just takes longer.

I have not tried tap water. It might work, but if you are trying the machine for the first time, I would not take any chances. It's best to do tap water tests when you are not counting on the clones. But you never know until you try.

I have not tried any other pump, but a 185GPH pump should be just fine. I have a feeling the pump I am using is a bit over-kill. I bet a 3 gallon bucket will be the best size for a clone machine. Don't rise the mister base above the pump, screw it directly into the top.

[hydrotastey]

i can vouch for that i used just water and clean tools & working space, when i started my clones. i used a flowering mix for the first week, i read that it helps make it root faster dunno if it worked but i do have roots on one already.After the first week i switch to a veg nute.

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by hydrotastey

i can vouch for that i used just water and clean tools & working space, when i started my clones. i used a flowering mix for the first week, i read that it helps make it root faster dunno if it worked but i do have roots on one already.After the first week i switch to a veg nute.

I don't know about uning flowering strength nutrients while cloning. Does not sound like a good idea to me. Even if it was, pure water is simple, easy and effective

[Murdoch]

Hey Rumple!
Thank you for another great thread
I have only one question, do you keep the pump constantly on or is it on a timer?

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by Murdoch

Hey Rumple!
Thank you for another great thread
I have only one question, do you keep the pump constantly on or is it on a timer?

It never goes off.

[BioloGyMaJor]

your root porn is amazing
i stand corrected

[SouthrnSmoke]

Great thread as always rumple. I always enjoy reading a DIY from you, your setups are always clean and professional quality.

To answer the leaf cutting question, its all a matter of evaporation.

Your cutting does not have roots to supply it with water. This is why some cutting wilt for the first few days during cloning. So until our babies have new roots to supply themselves with water, we do all we can to make sure the plant does not evaporate off water faster than it can take it in through its open stem at the bottom.
we know plants transpire water through pores on its leaves. The greater the surface area on a leaf, the more pores there are for water to evaporate from. Cutting the leaves is a simple measure taken to reduce surface area, thus reducing the amount of pores on the leaf that can evaporate water. Which in turn leads to less wilting and greater success.

I have heard of people using sprayed on wax to seal the leaves from losing water, however it has the added drawback of not allowing your plant to transpire AT ALL.

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by SouthrnSmoke

Great thread as always rumple. I always enjoy reading a DIY from you, your setups are always clean and professional quality.

To answer the leaf cutting question, its all a matter of evaporation.

Your cutting does not have roots to supply it with water. This is why some cutting wilt for the first few days during cloning. So until our babies have new roots to supply themselves with water, we do all we can to make sure the plant does not evaporate off water faster than it can take it in through its open stem at the bottom.
we know plants transpire water through pores on its leaves. The greater the surface area on a leaf, the more pores there are for water to evaporate from. Cutting the leaves is a simple measure taken to reduce surface area, thus reducing the amount of pores on the leaf that can evaporate water. Which in turn leads to less wilting and greater success.

I have heard of people using sprayed on wax to seal the leaves from losing water, however it has the added drawback of not allowing your plant to transpire AT ALL.

Yeah, that sounds like the answer I got years ago. Seems to work every time.

[ralex999]

Originally Posted by Rumpleforeskin

Yeah, that sounds like the answer I got years ago. Seems to work every time.

I finally was able to finish a Rump's thread. Wow. I am a medical grower and had no idea of where I was going or what I was doing until I stumbled accross the original thread on building a Bubble Bucket which led me here to a cloning machine.
To say I am inspired is a gross misrepresentation. To say we owe a debt of graditude for all the time, patience and understanding given to us by Rump is also a gross misrepresentation of the facts. But the above statement paints a clear picture of the true reason behind this; Someone helped Rump years ago and taught him a few tricks of the trade. He's returnng the favor that maybe Lucas, or Neville or some ghost from the past shared with him. I think he is doing this because he has too. There is so much mis-information out there that I think Rump just want's to get it right and show someone that doesn't have a clue, how to succeed in growing a thing of beauty.
So with that being said, I just wanted to come in from the shadows and state for the record, Thank you. You have done a service that is far greater than you will ever imagine.

[Rumpleforeskin]

Ralex999, it never gets old hearing that. Thanks for taking the time to say the kind words. If you read my other thread, you would know how I feel about growing weed. Growing weed is amazing but extremely lonely. Without this outlet I doubt I would still grow my own bud. I know enough folks growing medical weed now, that getting some would be as simple as a phone call. I dig the unique fellowship and contacts I have pulled out of the pages in this forum. A few new life long friends and some killer times online is more payback then a guy could ask for.
No need to thank me, I have got more then I have gave.
R.

[Gr8ful4thedead]

beautiful craftsmanship. can't wait to build one on my own. question, though, will i be able to find misters in hardware stores or do i need to buy them from a hydroponic store?

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by Gr8ful4thedead

beautiful craftsmanship. can't wait to build one on my own. question, though, will i be able to find misters in hardware stores or do i need to buy them from a hydroponic store?

I talked about that in the first post in this thread. The answer is yes you can find mister heads at most hardware stores or nurseries. But.... You will have to find a way to thread them into the PVC pipe. They have fine threads that are not self tapping. I have done it, but I have a killer tap and die set (made for making threads in metal). Perhaps you can find a good way to tap threads that will allow us to use other mister heads, but I needed a way to install them without special tools. Let us know if you can do it another way, it will give folks more options.

We need to tap the hole with a matching thread to your mister heads. The EZ-Clone sprayer heads have about the same threads as a number 10 wood screw. It is one of the reasons we are using that brand. If you use a mister head from Lowes, Homedepot or any other hardware store, you may need to find another way to tap that hole correct.

Screw the number 10 wood screw into the drilled holes. Make sure you don’t poke through to the bottom of the pipe. A 3/4" screw is perfect, it wont go through the bottom and makes a nice thread.
Install the screw into each hole and then remove it. It will leave the hole with a slight thread:

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Rumple - You Da Man!!
I swear if I wasn't laid off Id be building a bubble bucket and a cloner next weekend!! You just have the best layouts and easiest hookups Ive seen. I mean your setups are practacally idiot proof!! Props man...Props

[cray1000]

wow awesome!

what do you use the shelve strips in your grow room for???

doesnt a aeroponics system also add air to the spray? is this done some how by this system?