So, I would like to take several clones today. I am fairly new but have been taking clones with moderate success. I like using clonex gel for the dip and then watering with olivia'scloning solution while they're in the tray. If you have any thought's on this system let me know. My more important question is this. I am doing some LST as well as pinching and bending. This being said I have a few branches that have grown to form an even canopy. I am wondering if I can take larger clones, say 9", and what the difference in rooting time will be as well as likely hood of success vs. a smaller softer cutting. It seems to me that most people tend to take smaller clones 2"-5" rather than larger ones. I realize that the battle of clone survival lies within the water uptake vs. transpiration. It is my hypothesis that a larger clone may have a more difficult time supplying water to all parts of itself due to it's lack of root system. Is this accurate??
The reason most clones are smaller, is that the grow tip of the cutting has the most vitality, and the further from the tip, the harder it is for the cutting to grow roots. Also, a larger clone means a larger plant, which usually creates problems when growing indoors with limited space.
Yeah it true in "therory" but it all boils down to how your paticular strain is going to react to your process. back when we all had to use soil to clone we always cut the way you are explaining.heres the steps I would take with what you have to work with. 1 water mother plant very well 20-30 minutes before cutting 2 mix some cloning solution and add a little B1 if you have it 3 make your cut at a 45 degree angle and use the edge of your CLEAN razor to rough up the botom of the stalk by dragging the blade in a scrapeing motion all around the bottom 2 inches of the stalk 4 put the cut in to the solution and while it is under the surface cut the bottom of the stem again about 3/4 of an inch from bottom ( this prevents air bubbles in the stem) 5 let the cuts soak for about 1/2 hour then dip them in the gel and put them in your cloning medium as usual In my expierience the longer stalks on the cut arent a problem but if you have a lot of leaf you'll get some die back. maybe cutting the bigger leafs is a good idea. and this method is a lot more sucessfull if you build an areo cloner and use the small ROCKWOOL cubes. you'll have roots in 10-14 days even on the tougher strains also a Ph of 5.5-6.0 is VERY important as well as LOWER levels of light as the clone cant process the light as well without roots