5 Proven Cloning Methods From Experienced Growers You Can Count On
Plus 4 Simple Ways to Avoid Years of Inconsistent Cloning Success
5 Proven Cloning Methods From Experienced Growers You Can Count On
During my short tenure as a hobby grower over the last three years, I've tried a variety of cloning methods from a variety of growers with a huge variety of success.
My first time cloning, I used aloe and honey, and had near perfect results (something I've never personally repeated).
Successive rounds of cloning have varied from high 90s to less than 25% success. For this reason, I'm always eager to hear about a new technique or approach to propagation that might increase my consistency, and confidence in my cloning efforts.
For many of us, counting on a single clone to have 100% success rate is a gamble we don't have the confidence to make, opting instead for multiple cuttings from the same genetic to hedge out bet.
The second a method starts to feel right, the lives of our plants decide to throw us a curve ball.
And then, boom. No survivors.
If you've never lost an entire batch of clones, only to realize you culled the mom, you're one of the lucky ones.
What I've learned since losing (and having to chase down) some of those sought-after cuts is:
1. Never count on one single process to be your silver bullet.
There are no such things as silver bullets in the grow. Depending on changes in your environment or workflow, switching up your approach to cloning may be a simple way to increase success.
2. Always be cloning.
Always. Even if you don't need to (especially if you're still having trouble). The more clones you take, and the more times you practice cloning, the better you will get at cloning.
3. "There are a million chili recipes," as Zac Ricciardi says, and everyone has their favorite.
Find what works for you and repeat that process until you dial it in, or until you find something better.
4. Beginners don't have the "secret sauce".
This is HUGE. And painfully hard to admit.
Most of us approach a new process and think:
"If I tweak these X things, then [in my super limited capacity of knowledge from experience] this will work better than if I just follow what the grower with 20 years of cloning history under his belt said I should do."
I'm as guilty of this as anyone.
Until you can confidently replicate your results at a 90%+ success rate using a proven method, I'd avoid trying your hand at tinkering with recipes.
5 Tried & True Cloning Methods To Get You Started
Below you'll find cloning methods for rockwool cubes, rapid rooter/peat plugs, and aerocloners. (And if that's not enough, you can also check out the Bucket Tek that I've consistently fallen back on when I need to count on my clones rooting).
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