Taking cuttings is an essential tool for any indoor gardener to have in their arsenal because the ability to clone an existing plant and continue the genetics can reap massive rewards when done properly. If you’re starting a batch of seeds, taking a couple of cuttings from each one before switching to the flowering cycle will enable you to replicate the best performing plants at a later date.

Equipment you will need for taking cuttings:

-       propagator,

-       scalpel,

-       clonex,

-       measuring cup,

-       seed cubes,

-       propagation light, and

-       sprayer.

This example features Fleximix Root Riot Cubes, pre soaked with water and ready for use. We recommend getting a new scalpel and measuring cup every time you take cuttings to avoid the risk of contamination.

As you will always find, being prepared matters a great deal. If the propagator is not a new one, conduct a thorough cleaning of the item with a product like RoomClean. Pour some Clonex into the measuring cup so that the cutting can be immediately placed into it.

The first necessary task involves identifying a healthy growing tip and removing some of the lower leaves. Areas exposed through removing of the leaves are called nodal intersections – these can be recognised by a slight bulge in the stem of the plant.

Using the scalpel, make a diagonal cut at this intersection, leaving the largest possible area for the Clonex to aid root growth. Once the cutting has been removed from the mother plant, quickly place it into the measuring cup containing the Clonex and leave for about two minutes.

While the cutting is in the Clonex, the cubes can be prepared. Here four cubes were cut off the main pack and labelled up with the plant variety.

The need to have accurate labelling often gets overlooked when taking cuttings. This simple measure allows you to know exactly what plant the cutting was taken from – common sense really! We are only taking cuttings from one plant, but for numerous plants it is recommended that you label both the cuttings and the mother.

Once the cutting has rested in the Clonex for around two minutes, transfer to the seed cube (each Fleximix cube comes with a pre made hole). Gently insert the cutting into the hole until it is held secure. Repeat the process for all the cuttings you need, plus a few spares. We required four cuttings so eight were taken. As a general rule, always take twice the amount of cuttings you actually need – this allows for one or two failures and also increases your choice when reviewing the best performing cuttings to then focus on.

Position the seed cubes in your propagator and lightly mist the cuttings with water using the sprayer. It is crucial that the cuttings are not sat in water, but equally important that the cubes do not dry out either. Next place the lid on the propagator, close the vents and pop underneath the propagation light.

After a few hours there should be a light misting of moisture in the propagator. At this point open the vents slightly to try and maintain a humidity level of between 73 – 83%.

Every couple of days wipe away the moisture on the lid, mist with water, replace the lid and gradually open the vents. The temperature should be between 21 and 26 degrees. During the winter months a heated propagator helps maintain this ideal temperature and increases success rates.

10 to 20 days later roots will start to emerge from each seed cube. The cutting can then be transplanted into the main pot or system used for the rest of the cycle.

Two main points to remember are:

1.) All of the equipment must be clean to prevent the risk of contamination, and

2.) The cuttings should be regularly misted and the propagator wiped to maintain optimum conditions.