Taking Cuttings – A Step-by-Step Cloning Guide

Taking Cuttings – A Step-by-Step Cloning Guide

Taking cuttings allows you to clone plants with the exact same genetics as the parent, preserving growth rates, aromas, and yields. With the right method, you can create healthy, fast-rooting clones that set the stage for productive harvests.

Mother Plant Maintenance

• Take cuttings during the vegetative stage from plants raised from seed.
• Clearly label cuttings and parent plants for easy identification.
• Ensure mother plants are free from pests, disease, or nutrient stress.
• Keep mother plants under a blue CFL or small full spectrum LED for 18 hours daily.
• Water only with dechlorinated water for the first 3–4 weeks. Use neutralise to instantly dechlorinate water
• Add a grow feed every 5th watering once established.
• Dedicate a separate area (such as a BAY6 tent) for mother plant care.

Identifying Suitable Cuttings

• Never remove more than 50% of the plant’s foliage at once.
• Focus on the lower third of the mother plant with healthy tips of 3–4 leaves.
• Select cuttings 7–8cm long.
• Strip off leaves and new shoots from the lower half of the cutting.
• Spray mother plants with Nitrozyme beforehand to increase cutting material.

Step-by-Step: Taking Cuttings

1. Soak Jiffy Plugs: Pre-soak in dechlorinated water until expanded.
2. Prepare rooting gel: Pour a small amount of Clonex into a sterile measuring cup.
3. Choose your cutting: Identify a healthy stem following the guidelines above.
4. Cut diagonally: Use a clean scalpel to cut just below a node at a 45° angle.
5. Recut under water: Helps ensure the uptake of rooting gel.
6. Dip in gel: Place the exposed cut into Clonex to stimulate root growth.
7. Insert into plugs: Place cuttings into hydrated Jiffy Plugs with a pipette-made hole.
8. Place in propagator: Arrange cuttings, mist sides and lid, and close vents.
9. Maintain environment: Keep temps at 22–26°C with 4°C max swing. Open vents gradually as roots form.

Aftercare

Cuttings typically root within 7–14 days. Mist regularly and remove the propagator lid every 1–2 days to refresh air. Once roots emerge, move cuttings into Grodan cubes or pots with your chosen media.

Summary

By maintaining a healthy mother plant, selecting the right cuttings, and following clean rooting practices, you’ll produce strong, uniform clones ready to thrive in your grow system.