Califlower
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Suppose I'll jump in also with some thoughts / personal experience.
I believe the main reason that "classic cutting methods" recommend high RH is to reduce transpiration and thus moisture uptake during a time which a plant cannot uptake efficiently on its' own. As well, low light augments this by reducing photosynthesis, which will slow usage of stored nutrients within the plant. An interesting thing to consider with stored nutrients is mobile vs. immobile elements. One could theorize that immobile elements cannot be used in any great degree during this stage; as they cannot be relocated nor can new be absorbed without roots.
Now as to whether a cutting requires special high RH and low light; is more dependent on the method used for rooting. I've done most all methods over the years, I suppose and only certain cases would require a humidity controlled enclosure. If you are doing "old school" type cuttings where you put a cut into moist potting soil alone; then you will probably need to keep the environment around the plant high RH by an enclosure or dome. In situations like this; I've used sealable acrylic cases along with a moistened pea gravel floor in cases like this with 100% survival. However, this old school system is probably the most prone to issues and requires the longest time for rooting (2 weeks +/-). An easy way to tell if you have 100% humidity in any enclosure or dome is by having condensation apparent on walls / lid.
More modern types of cuts used in this industry are typically variations of some form of hydro (continual supply of moisture). In many of these scenarios, it is possible to not require any enclosure or lid and still maintain a "localized high RH area". The net result of any auto-watering method in root stage results in a higher moisture content in the medium (as opposed to a hand watered once cup). This moisture is continually evaporating into the air right around the cut foliage itself; thus augmenting RH in that zone. As well, certain auto-watering methods like DWC will further exacerbate this high RH area as a result of constant air exchange out of the water holding chamber. In cases like this, no dome or any enclosure can be utilized.
I guess a last note on light. Ultimately, light level is going to be related to how long your cuts take to root. The longer you typically wait for roots; the less light you should have. However, you can judge by watching your cut as it roots (more color loss by rooting point could use a bit less light). I don't imagine you need HID lighting during this stage, but outside of this; I've never had issues with various lighting methods. Typically I run around 1000 lumens per square foot for cuts.
Hope this helps.
It's how I do my clones. Perlite in a cup, set in a tray (no fucking dome, I hate the domes), put feed/water in the tray, et voila.yeah it does. I made a ez cloner. went back to old school....lol
Motz, what do you know about bottom feeding
Sorry to resurrect an old thread if its considered gauche, but Im searching on cloning to see if theres faster, easier ways. Im lazy.
That said, sorry to hear your struggles Califlower, and I want to help.
Every time I did the heat mat, rockwool, dome way my clones all got pythium and died. Hate that method. Got maybe 2 clones, ever.
Now I use a DIY cheap homemade cloner, bleach between rounds, use GH cloning liquid in cloner, keep cloner on cold stone floor but run pump 24/7 to keep temp at least 65. Small t5 light, small fan, no dome.
Change water at 1 week, keep eye on pH throughout.
100% success by the end of week 2. Considering running one of these through flower since the plants love it and take off.
Keep the good bacteria happy with low temps, no dome ever. You can't fail.
Also, most people dont know their municpality uses chloramine in water, not chlorine. You cant offgas it, its too stable. Thats why they use it in city water, right?
You break the chlorine and amine bond easily by dropping a vitamin c tablet in your water, then aerate it a day. I always do this.
Let me know if you need any help, brother. Cloning is maybe the hardest part, but a cheap DIY ez cloner solves everything and clones have santa claus beard roots by 2.5 weeks and grow toward the light.
Pythium sucks, and thrives in warm anaerobic environments. Low rez temps are infinitely higher in dissolved oxygen, which makes your good bacteria happy and also your precious baby girls.
Im even thinking of converting my home depot tote with the grid lid into a cloner after I saw a guy here do that. Clever.
Also, run your drill in reverse when you cut holes and be careful not to bore them out or the neoprene circle inserts like to fall in.
How are your clones now?
Great thread, and fantastic info from Seamaiden (as always) and brilliant post by Protaide. Glad I found this thread.
So rockwool and sterilization is your thing? Cool. I think with any method sterilization is key. I've been using rubbing alcohol to clean the X-Acto knife I use. Gloves, etc. I will have to use bleach solution too. Thanks!You guys make this seem like it's rocket science,the extremes that some go thru! Just mind boggling,wtf. It's not that hard for petes sake. Some of you are your own worst enemies. Do it old school heat,wool, and rooting hormone along with STERILIZATION!!!!!! Use that bleach solution and keep it tight people. 100% success/100%of the time The easiest and cheapest way to do it. Oh and 24 hours of light.. Even spray the clones to be with water directly 3 x's a day some spray the dome. Humidity is key for the first week.
Jiffy squares, 50% perlite-50% vermiculite, distilled water-soak the jiffy squares thoroughly (I do this by spraying jiffy square til saturated and prewatering the mix), set small utility knife in 70% alcohol for 5 minutes and let blade air dry, scuff up stem area - make cut and roll in rooting hormone and while rolling cut in hormone cut off bottom 1/4" of cutting's stem and stick in hole made in mix....
Place cuttings under clear dome and place dome beneath t12 light....in 7-8 days you have this....
View attachment 435308
And once you have that you end up with these......View attachment 435309
One huge tip - singing Paul Simon's Diamonds on The Soles of Her Shoes throughout the above process guarantees no stress to Mama plant.
This is Byrne Burnham and I approve of this message. ....
Admittedly some steps were omitted due to space and time constraints. ....
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