How To Clone Cannabis Plants
This article is likely to be your first step in the exciting journey of becoming a cannabis cultivation expert.Â
Learning how to clone cannabis is a great place to start for novice growers. Growing cannabis indoors or outdoors is always a rewarding endeavor. You will have a blast cultivating cannabis, whether you’re using it for medical purposes or for fun.Â
Although many plants take a long time to grow, cannabis plants, when properly cultivated, grow very quickly. Furthermore, the best part about cannabis cultivation is the amazing reward of getting your cannabis flower after harvest.Â
Growing from seed is one option, this is mostly for people who have experience growing other plants from seed or for those who have enough time to get the seeds to germinate. Once it has sprouted, it can then be transplanted. However, the best way to speed up this process is to use a cannabis clone. It’s also a more efficient way to ensure the plant is female.Â
How To Clone Cannabis Plants: Defining What A Clone Is
A cannabis “clone”, for those new to cannabis cultivation, is a cutting of a plant that is genetically identical from its parent plants.Â
The process involves carefully taking a tiny branch from an established cannabis plant. This allows it to form its own roots and then become a full grown cannabis plant with the same genetics as it’s parent plant. This ensures consistent genetics and also that the plant is a female. When growing from seed, it is not a 100% guarantee that the seed will be feminized. Growing from clones ensures consistency in the sex and genetics of the plant and eliminates a lot of wasted time on male plants.Â
Another benefit of clones is that you are going to have the exact same genetics as the parent plant. If the parent plant is healthy, strong, and produces high yields of potent flower, this is an excellent plant to clone from. When it comes to seeds, the genetics can sometimes be altered depending on the environment that the parent plant was grown in. Â
It is essential for novice cannabis growers to understand the process of cloning cannabis plants. It is also an excellent way to share cannabis genes. Cloning cannabis seeds allows you to keep the cannabis cultivar that you love, and it can be enjoyed again and again.
How To Clone Cannabis Plants:Â The Cloning Process
The first step of the cannabis cloning process involves finding a healthy parent plant. Please note that you can only take clones that have been taken from the vegetative stage of the mother plant, and not the flowering phase.Â
Next, find a branch of the cannabis plant that is suitable to clone. Look for a new branch with at least some sub-branches, and new growth. It is best to avoid cutting branches that are too big or well established as they will not grow into rooted clones. Remember that when it comes to cloning, a small branch is better than a big one.Â
Although you don’t want the branch to be too small either. You want your rooted clone strong enough to grow into a healthy, large plant. You should look for branch segments between 8-10 inches in size. Make sure that the cut is straight with the larger branch. Otherwise, the original plant may suffer from branch rot or go into shock.Â
Next, trim the base of the clone at a 45 degree angle. This will increase surface area in the clone’s base. Following this, the next step should be to dip your clone into a rooting hormone. A variety of rooting hormones are available, including a cloning liquid, a rooting powder, or a mixture. You should read all directions and cover the plant tissue with powder or gel as much as possible. The rooting hormone should speed up its growth and allow for the clone to root faster and healthier.
Final Steps For Cloning Your Cannabis PlantÂ
Once the clone is ready, place it in a suitable medium. Next, you can place it under low intensity grow lights (that use CFL bulbs) until it develops a strong root base. Note that if you are growing your cloned plant outdoors, it is recommended to put covering over it after a 12 hour period. Regardless of location, it should take between 1-3 weeks to develop its root-base. The most common medium is rockwool cubes, but there are many other options as well. This includes organic soils or even ” super soil“.
The Importance Of Humidity
It is vital that new cannabis clones, often referred to simply as “root cuttings”, are kept in an environment that is both humid and warm. A simple humidity dome will help to ensure your clones thrive in a favorable environment for rooting. You can find humidity domes in most major retailers and garden shops. They usually come with a tray on which the clones can rest, and small vents that can open or close as required.Â
The humidity dome should be checked daily to ensure that there is sufficient moisture in the mini-ecosystem. If you don’t notice condensation on the dome’s walls, it’s likely that the dome needs to be sprayed with standard water spray bottles.
Consider buying a clone-box if your budget allows. Clone boxes can keep the bottoms and roots of the cuttings moist with the help of an automated sprayer that continually administers root hormones. While they aren’t cheap or necessary to create cannabis-clones, clone boxes can take a lot off the labor load.Â
Once the clone has established a healthy root structure, it can now be transplanted into larger containers. After that, the plant can be grown as any other cannabis plant.
Furthering Your Education
Growing cannabis is an ongoing learning experience.Â
Even the most skilled cannabis cultivators can tell you they are constantly learning new cultivation techniques.Â
Sativa University’s Cannabis Cultivation Certificate Course provides a great opportunity to learn more about cannabis cultivation. The program is delivered by industry experts in cannabis cultivation and contains valuable course material. This program is perfect for those who want to expand their cultivation knowledge and start a new job.
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