MINI Moms...Bonsai'd Mothers

I've been growing for a little while now and have learned most of it on boards like this, and through my own experience. My grow journal says last last harvest was my 138th...some have been lots better than others for certain. You read what people share, pick up things that seem to help and maybe keep the rest in the back of your mind for down the road. I for sure ain't no expert, but you do pick up things along the way and I'm always willing to share.

This thread will be about how to keep miniaturized mother plants (sometimes called bonsai). Again, this is what works for ME.

This pic is my mother cabinet, 16" x 18" x 70". 1 quart cups, each level can hold 4 moms. Passive air in, bathroom exhaust on a thermostat takes out the hot air, small 110 VAC fans to move air. Lights are twisty flo's in simple homemade fixtures. A couple of these moms are over 2 years old, but in this pic they're growing into the lights so time for a haircut. Varieties are Pure Power Plant, K2, OG Kush (2 plants) and Top 44. All mothers were originally from clones. Seed moms tend to get too stretchy for this.

 

Not a whole lot needed in the way of tools for this. I just use some regular rose type clippers and a small pair of spring loaded scissors. The spring-loaded scissors will always come in handy in your garden...it's good to have a couple pair around. These were from Ebay, cheap.

 

First I wanna check the roots. The roots on these examples look pretty good; the first one is full but not yet root bound. There's a little green on it from algae..this is caused by light leaking in the clear bottoms of my cups. Easily just scraped off. The other two look fine. This time I won't trim the roots, maybe next time. Just check each time you trim the tops. Root trimming on this is as easy as laying the rootball on a table top and slicing off about half of it. Repot in fresh soil and water thoroughly.

 

OK, roots are good, plants back in their pots, time to trim. If you're needing some clones this is a good time, so have a cup of water standing by. I'm taking 3 OG Kush clones this time. Using the rose pruners, I just cut the plants back to the height I want them at. I've done this numerous times so have a feel for what I want. You will too after a time or two. A tip from apple growers, open up the center of your plant to let light in. I cut the center leader out, aiming for the branches to form almost a bowl shape. Use the spring loaded scissors to clean up your trim job, remove yellow leaves, etc....

 

\t\t\t \t\t\tNeed a clone? I'm only keeping three this time. The rest is being tossed out. \t\t

 

And we're finished...ready to veg til next time. These will be ready to take more clones from within a week, and probably about 3 weeks will need to do this again. Any questions I'm happy to help best I can. Good luck

 

Thanks for looking...I need to root prune maybe every 6 or 8 weeks or so. I'll add that to this thread when I do next As far as feeding, I just use regular miracle grow 1 tsp per gallon every time I water. Alot of people will give you flack for using MG, but for this purpose its fine.