CLONING CANNABIS
vIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Hi, I’m your prof from Indica Institute, and this is my advanced cannabis growing course entitled “Growing Cannabis 201: Advanced Grow Tips” I’ve designed this course to help and instruct people on how to grow cannabis plants to obtain better results in terms of overall plant health, yield, taste and more. The course covers a variety of topics including best practices for germination techniques, cloning, transplanting, grow medium, grow environment and nutrients.
Visit me at Indica Institute or my YouTube channel for a list of cannabis related courses, tips and more. I hope you find the video useful, and please like and subscribe so I can continue making more videos like these!
Hi and welcome to my lesson on creating and caring for cannabis plant clones. The objective of this lesson is to explain what clones are, provide steps for making a clone, how to properly care for a clone, and provide some professional tips to ensure your first cloning experience is a successful one.
All links mentioned in this video can be found in the video description, along with a link to Indica Institute where you can find a growing list of cannabis related courses and recommendations on the best products for purchase.
What exactly is cloning? It’s the technique of creating a genetic copy of an existing plant by taking a “clipping” or small piece of it, and allowing it to root, in effect turning into its own plant. Clones are genetically identical to the donor plant, so the clone will be the same strain and sex as the donor.
There are a ton of benefits to cloning plants. The first and most obvious is that you no longer need to pay for seeds! Basically creating clones allows for a free and steady flow of harvests if done correctly. Other advantages include the fact that you have already cared for the donor plant to the point of clipping, so you are familiar with its growth patterns already. This makes for an easier grow and less trial and error in terms of feeding and environmental conditions. Clones can be taken from donor plants all the way up to a few weeks before harvest, so it is a great way to create a conveyor belt like situation with your harvests. Also because the clone already has some vegetation, all it needs is to root, making for a faster grow compared to growing from seed. This is also beneficial for those planning to use a sea of green technique for growing. Also, as the plants are a exact copy of the donor plant, there is never any need to worry about male plants.
In order to clone make sure you are prepared with the proper tools before chopping away at your plants. The basic tools you will need are scissors or a razor, starting cubes, cloning gel or powder, a grow Light, a propagation humidity chamber (recommended) and a temperature control heat mat (not necessary but recommended).
The first step to cloning is making sure that your donor plant is mature enough to take clippings. Too young and the clippings will take longer to root, or may not root at all. Typically around 2-3 months into the vegetative stage is a good time, allowing you to take dozens of clones if desired.
Secondly, clean every tool you plan to use in the cloning process. Consider clipping and cloning like plant surgery. You would not want your doctor to operate on you with dirty tools, as this could cause some serious infections. The same applies to your plants and clones.
Third, prepare all your tools and equipment so your clones will have a quick and easy transition from plant to cloning station. Soak your starter cubes in water, a few minutes should do. Have your cloning gel open and ready and a glass of water poured to place the clippings in once they’re cut. Set up your lighting ahead of time and if you’re using a cloning propagation chamber have it ready as well.
Next, find a new branching with a new top a take a clipping from here. Cut just below the new branching at a 45 degree angle. Clippings should be around 5-10 inches in length. Taking a clipping from the lower half of the plant is more beneficial for rooting, as it tends to have more rooting hormones geared toward this cause. Pick a branching that looks healthy and full, which suggests it is full of hormones and will root quicker than the rest.
Fifth, scrape the skin off the bottom of the branch where the cut was made. This allows for easier root growth. Roots typically grow from the area on the plant that is exposed and not protected by a layer of skin, so doing this promotes faster and easier root growth for the clone.
Step 6, once you’ve scraped the bottom of the clone, place in directly in water to avoid bubbles forming in the base of the stem.
Step 7, trim off the larger leaves, any fan leaves and any node points. This helps the clone to focus on growing roots rather than absorbing light in an attempt to make food.
Lastly, you can technically leave the clone in the water to grow its roots, though they tend to grow much faster and stronger when using a cloning gel and starter cubes. When using a cloning gel, take your clipping and place it directly in the gel making sure to cover the entire area that you scraped. Then place it in your starter cube, making sure that gel is covering the entire area that will be inside the cube.
Follow these 8 easy steps and you will have successfully made your first clone! Congratulations!
Now that you have your clones all set up and under your light, it’s important that you provide the right environment for their healthy growth. The main things to consider here is temperature, water and light.
When thinking about how to care for your clones, remember that spring like conditions always provide the best conditions for seedling growth. This means warm and wet. So as far as temperature, 22-24 degrees is perfect.
For water, this is a bit more tricky and why a cloning propagation chamber is a good investment. Because your clones do not yet have roots, they must be watered through their leaves. A cloning chamber is good because it keeps moisture inside, allowing water to build up on plant leaves. It is a good idea to mist the inside of your cloning chamber to get the humidity levels started though. Also be sure to keep an eye out in case of any mold or mildew issues that could arise. If not using a cloning chamber, it will be necessary to mist your clones a few times a day so they don’t dry out.
As far as lighting, a CFL bulb will do to start with, or an LED light at a 20-24” distance from the plants. If you’re using an LED light be sure to check the user manual for recommended distances from your plants. Use the same distance you would use for seedlings, and if there is a switch for vegetative lighting, use it. For those using CFL lighting, keep the bulbs about 8-10 inches from the plant. Keep the light on an 18-6 cycle, and avoid 24 hours of light because it can slow the rooting process.
Your clones are ready to be transplanted once you are able to see the roots sticking out from the bottom of the starter cubes. Be careful when transplanting as the clones are still weak. Treat them like a seedling when transplanting.
Note that some roots will grow quite quickly, like within a few days, while others can take up to two weeks depending on growing conditions and environment. A typical clone will root within a week.
Generally cloning is pretty foolproof. Roots grow on most clippings given enough time, although there are some things you can do to speed up the process and ensure you are maximizing your chances of success.
Firstly, make sure the leaves on your clones stay moist. Even if you’re not using a proper cloning chamber it may be a good idea to use a plastic container and mist the inside of it with water before leaving the clones for prolonged periods, like going to work for instance.
Using a watered down flowering nutrient solution when misting the plants can be beneficial as well. It can help boost growth, though only use up to half of what would typically be recommended for a seedling.
Try to use a rooting gel whenever possible, as this contains hormones that speed up root growth and strengthens the plant base.
Depending on your harvest goals consider where you are taking your clipping from on the donor plant. Taking a clipping from the bottom generally has more rooting based hormones and will therefore root faster, while clippings near the top of the plant are more primed from flowering and therefore tend to flower faster.
When possible try to prep the donor plant in advance. Begin using a flowering nutrient solution about a week or two before clipping so the clippings have been flushed of excess nitrogen.
Lastly, take more clones than needed. Especially if it is your first attempt at cloning. When first starting it is common to lose a few clones, and accidents do happen. Also be sure to label your clones based on date and strain.
So in review, be sure that your donor plant is ripe for clipping before going ahead with cloning. It should be around 2-3 months old, and alternatively not too close to harvest time.
Make sure everything is sterile before starting, prepare the tools and equipment, and follow the 8 steps laid out in this video for successful cloning.
Once your clones are all ready, make sure they are getting the right amount of light and water, and the temperature is warm enough for them to thrive.
Try to use supplements when possible to speed up root and plant growth, such as diluted flowering nutrients and rooting gels.
Be patient, as most if not all your clones will sprout roots given time. Once they do, you are off to the races. Happy growing!
I hope you found this installment of my course “Growing Cannabis 201: Advanced Grow Tips” useful. For more cannabis related courses or recommendations on the best grow products out there, visit me at Indica Institute or subscribe to my YouTube channel. If you have any comments or suggestions for a new video, be sure to join the discussion in the comment feed below.
Please like and share this video, and as always, thank you for listening!
Visit me at Indica Institute or my YouTube channel for a list of cannabis related courses, tips and more. I hope you find the video useful, and please like and subscribe so I can continue making more videos like these!
Hi and welcome to my lesson on creating and caring for cannabis plant clones. The objective of this lesson is to explain what clones are, provide steps for making a clone, how to properly care for a clone, and provide some professional tips to ensure your first cloning experience is a successful one.
All links mentioned in this video can be found in the video description, along with a link to Indica Institute where you can find a growing list of cannabis related courses and recommendations on the best products for purchase.
What exactly is cloning? It’s the technique of creating a genetic copy of an existing plant by taking a “clipping” or small piece of it, and allowing it to root, in effect turning into its own plant. Clones are genetically identical to the donor plant, so the clone will be the same strain and sex as the donor.
There are a ton of benefits to cloning plants. The first and most obvious is that you no longer need to pay for seeds! Basically creating clones allows for a free and steady flow of harvests if done correctly. Other advantages include the fact that you have already cared for the donor plant to the point of clipping, so you are familiar with its growth patterns already. This makes for an easier grow and less trial and error in terms of feeding and environmental conditions. Clones can be taken from donor plants all the way up to a few weeks before harvest, so it is a great way to create a conveyor belt like situation with your harvests. Also because the clone already has some vegetation, all it needs is to root, making for a faster grow compared to growing from seed. This is also beneficial for those planning to use a sea of green technique for growing. Also, as the plants are a exact copy of the donor plant, there is never any need to worry about male plants.
In order to clone make sure you are prepared with the proper tools before chopping away at your plants. The basic tools you will need are scissors or a razor, starting cubes, cloning gel or powder, a grow Light, a propagation humidity chamber (recommended) and a temperature control heat mat (not necessary but recommended).
The first step to cloning is making sure that your donor plant is mature enough to take clippings. Too young and the clippings will take longer to root, or may not root at all. Typically around 2-3 months into the vegetative stage is a good time, allowing you to take dozens of clones if desired.
Secondly, clean every tool you plan to use in the cloning process. Consider clipping and cloning like plant surgery. You would not want your doctor to operate on you with dirty tools, as this could cause some serious infections. The same applies to your plants and clones.
Third, prepare all your tools and equipment so your clones will have a quick and easy transition from plant to cloning station. Soak your starter cubes in water, a few minutes should do. Have your cloning gel open and ready and a glass of water poured to place the clippings in once they’re cut. Set up your lighting ahead of time and if you’re using a cloning propagation chamber have it ready as well.
Next, find a new branching with a new top a take a clipping from here. Cut just below the new branching at a 45 degree angle. Clippings should be around 5-10 inches in length. Taking a clipping from the lower half of the plant is more beneficial for rooting, as it tends to have more rooting hormones geared toward this cause. Pick a branching that looks healthy and full, which suggests it is full of hormones and will root quicker than the rest.
Fifth, scrape the skin off the bottom of the branch where the cut was made. This allows for easier root growth. Roots typically grow from the area on the plant that is exposed and not protected by a layer of skin, so doing this promotes faster and easier root growth for the clone.
Step 6, once you’ve scraped the bottom of the clone, place in directly in water to avoid bubbles forming in the base of the stem.
Step 7, trim off the larger leaves, any fan leaves and any node points. This helps the clone to focus on growing roots rather than absorbing light in an attempt to make food.
Lastly, you can technically leave the clone in the water to grow its roots, though they tend to grow much faster and stronger when using a cloning gel and starter cubes. When using a cloning gel, take your clipping and place it directly in the gel making sure to cover the entire area that you scraped. Then place it in your starter cube, making sure that gel is covering the entire area that will be inside the cube.
Follow these 8 easy steps and you will have successfully made your first clone! Congratulations!
Now that you have your clones all set up and under your light, it’s important that you provide the right environment for their healthy growth. The main things to consider here is temperature, water and light.
When thinking about how to care for your clones, remember that spring like conditions always provide the best conditions for seedling growth. This means warm and wet. So as far as temperature, 22-24 degrees is perfect.
For water, this is a bit more tricky and why a cloning propagation chamber is a good investment. Because your clones do not yet have roots, they must be watered through their leaves. A cloning chamber is good because it keeps moisture inside, allowing water to build up on plant leaves. It is a good idea to mist the inside of your cloning chamber to get the humidity levels started though. Also be sure to keep an eye out in case of any mold or mildew issues that could arise. If not using a cloning chamber, it will be necessary to mist your clones a few times a day so they don’t dry out.
As far as lighting, a CFL bulb will do to start with, or an LED light at a 20-24” distance from the plants. If you’re using an LED light be sure to check the user manual for recommended distances from your plants. Use the same distance you would use for seedlings, and if there is a switch for vegetative lighting, use it. For those using CFL lighting, keep the bulbs about 8-10 inches from the plant. Keep the light on an 18-6 cycle, and avoid 24 hours of light because it can slow the rooting process.
Your clones are ready to be transplanted once you are able to see the roots sticking out from the bottom of the starter cubes. Be careful when transplanting as the clones are still weak. Treat them like a seedling when transplanting.
Note that some roots will grow quite quickly, like within a few days, while others can take up to two weeks depending on growing conditions and environment. A typical clone will root within a week.
Generally cloning is pretty foolproof. Roots grow on most clippings given enough time, although there are some things you can do to speed up the process and ensure you are maximizing your chances of success.
Firstly, make sure the leaves on your clones stay moist. Even if you’re not using a proper cloning chamber it may be a good idea to use a plastic container and mist the inside of it with water before leaving the clones for prolonged periods, like going to work for instance.
Using a watered down flowering nutrient solution when misting the plants can be beneficial as well. It can help boost growth, though only use up to half of what would typically be recommended for a seedling.
Try to use a rooting gel whenever possible, as this contains hormones that speed up root growth and strengthens the plant base.
Depending on your harvest goals consider where you are taking your clipping from on the donor plant. Taking a clipping from the bottom generally has more rooting based hormones and will therefore root faster, while clippings near the top of the plant are more primed from flowering and therefore tend to flower faster.
When possible try to prep the donor plant in advance. Begin using a flowering nutrient solution about a week or two before clipping so the clippings have been flushed of excess nitrogen.
Lastly, take more clones than needed. Especially if it is your first attempt at cloning. When first starting it is common to lose a few clones, and accidents do happen. Also be sure to label your clones based on date and strain.
So in review, be sure that your donor plant is ripe for clipping before going ahead with cloning. It should be around 2-3 months old, and alternatively not too close to harvest time.
Make sure everything is sterile before starting, prepare the tools and equipment, and follow the 8 steps laid out in this video for successful cloning.
Once your clones are all ready, make sure they are getting the right amount of light and water, and the temperature is warm enough for them to thrive.
Try to use supplements when possible to speed up root and plant growth, such as diluted flowering nutrients and rooting gels.
Be patient, as most if not all your clones will sprout roots given time. Once they do, you are off to the races. Happy growing!
I hope you found this installment of my course “Growing Cannabis 201: Advanced Grow Tips” useful. For more cannabis related courses or recommendations on the best grow products out there, visit me at Indica Institute or subscribe to my YouTube channel. If you have any comments or suggestions for a new video, be sure to join the discussion in the comment feed below.
Please like and share this video, and as always, thank you for listening!
