How to Clone Cannabis Plants Successfully

Materials Required​

To successfully clone plants, you will need the following materials:

• Fluorescent light
• Plastic tub
• Liquid rooting hormone
• Sharp knife/scalpel
• Superthrive
• pH tester and adjuster

Cloning Process​

Step 1: Selecting and Preparing Cuttings​

1. Choose cuttings from clean, disease-free stock. Healthy cuttings should have equal length foliage and consistent color, without any deformities in leaf growth patterns.
2. Select cuttings from the most vigorously growing portion of the plant, where auxins (growth hormones) are most concentrated.
3. Opt for green barked cuttings without woody bark, as this indicates age. The finished cutting should be around 4-5 inches in length.
4. Leave three or four small, well-formed leaves intact on the cutting.

Step 2: Preparing the Propagation Area​

1. Clean the propagation area and all containers to reduce infection risks.
2. Fill a plastic tub or suitable container with clean water, without any fertilizer.
3. Adjust the pH of the water to 6.4 (a range of 6.2 to 6.6 is acceptable).
4. Add Superthrive at a ratio of 10 drops per U.S. gallon.
5. Maintain the water temperature at 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).

Step 3: Cutting and Submerging the Cuttings​

1. Cut the selected cutting at least 1 inch longer than the desired final length, using a sharp knife.
2. Immediately place the entire cutting into the pH-adjusted water.
3. While submerged, cut the cutting to its final length at a 45-degree angle to the stem. If an internode is present at the cut point, cut directly below it.
4. With the cutting still submerged, remove any excess leaves.
5. If there are no internodes at the cut, make three or four shallow vertical slits (no deeper than the outer bark) upward from the cut along the stem, about 1/2 inch.
6. Ensure all secondary cuts are made underwater to prevent air embolisms, which can slow the rooting process or even cause death.

Step 4: Applying Rooting Hormone​

1. Remove the cutting from the water and submerge the cut end in a liquid rooting hormone.
2. Ensure at least 1 inch of the cutting is placed in the hormone.

Reducing Cutting Stress​

To minimize stress on the cutting and promote root development, control light levels, humidity, and temperature:

1. Keep humidity as close to 100 percent as possible.
2. Maintain water and substrate temperatures between 70 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit (21-29 degrees Celsius).
3. Avoid extreme light and temperature levels.

By following these steps, you can successfully clone plants and ensure healthy root development.