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You won’t get plants with the exact traits when growing from seed. They may develop into different phenotypes.
The cloning process is straightforward, inexpensive, and requires minimal effort. Discover the benefits and learn how to clone like a pro and care for your cuttings.
Cloning fundamentals
Cloning involves taking a cutting from a female plant and letting it form roots. This age-old process creates a replica of the mother’s genetics.
Marijuana clones look like their parent and produce the same quality buds. Cloning is a perfect way to grow your favorite stash with consistent results.
Benefits of cloning
There are many perks to cloning besides creating replicas of your preferred strain. Let’s explore the benefits below.
Marijuana clones are always female
Taking cuttings from a mother plant guarantees they’re female. There’s no risk of pollination from males. You don’t need to identify and remove the culprits. Feminized seeds offer similar results but may cost more in the long run. They also don’t produce plants with exact genetics.
Cultivating cuttings is cheaper than seeds
You can save money with a mother plant, as you don’t need to buy as many seeds for each season. A healthy mother plant potentially offers cuttings for an unquantifiable number of harvests.
Low risk of running out of supply
It’s possible that suppliers may run out of popular seeds, or the strain you like is rare. There’s no worse feeling than knowing you can’t grow the buds you savor. A mother plant ensures a steady supply of cuttings for your homegrown stash.
Faster harvests
You can harvest your buds earlier by using cannabis clones instead of seeds. Save 1–7 days by skipping the germination process. You also bypass the seedling stage, which takes 2–3 weeks. The shorter time to harvest allows you to enjoy multiple yields annually.
Predictable yields
It’s possible to estimate the yield size, as clones produce the same results as their mother. The yields from seed-grown plants are often less predictable. Their unique genetics mean they don’t develop identical crops.
Easy maintenance
Cultivation is more straightforward. You know the optimal conditions for your marijuana clones based on the mother plant. Controlling factors like temperature and humidity doesn’t involve trial and error.
Cloning step-by-step guide
Prepare the following items before cloning:
- A cloner device to help you develop healthy plants from cuttings.
- A propagation tray, dome, and heating mat.
- A nutrient-rich growing medium, like rockwool or clay pellets. Your choice depends on the type of cloner you use. Include perlite or vermiculite to facilitate drainage.
- A rooting hormone to help your cannabis clones produce roots faster.
- Water and nutrients to feed your cuttings until it’s time to transplant them.
Follow the steps below to start your journey of producing buds from cuttings.
Step 1: Choose the right mother plant
Selecting a healthy and robust female plant is vital. Cuttings from an unhealthy mother plant will be in a similar condition. Choose a mother plant that meets your criteria. Avoid using a chemically treated female, as the toxins can harm your plants.
The best cannabis clones come from mother plants in the vegetative stage. Seedlings haven’t developed a root system yet, making them ineffective for cloning. Avoid taking cuttings from a flowering plant, as you can affect the mother’s health.
Stop feeding the chosen female plant for 2–3 days before taking the clippings. This step allows it to shift its nitrogen content to the leaves. A nitrogen-rich clone channels its energy into vegging rather than root development.
Step 2: Take a cutting
Cleanliness is critical to a successful cloning process. Sterilize your work area and tools with alcohol. Be sure to wear sterile gloves.
Cut above the nodes on the plant’s main branches. That’s the point where a smaller stem grows. The cutting should be about six inches long and includes at least two nodes.
Place the clipping into the cloning solution immediately after cutting. Avoid exposing the cut part to air, as the cells may oxidize and die.
Cut at a 45° angle below the node to increase the clipping’s surface area for root development. Trim the tips of the fan leaves, leaving them about two inches long. This step increases the surface area where the leaves absorb water vapor.
Use a heating mat and humidity dome to provide moisture if you don’t want to cut the leaves.
Step 3: Place the cuttings in a rooting hormone
Soaking your marijuana clones in a rooting hormone stimulates root growth. You may choose not to use a rooting hormone. However, your cuttings won’t be as healthy, as they rely on their stored energy to form roots.
Rooting hormone is available in liquid, gel, and powder form. Dip your fresh clippings in the rooting product before placing them into your medium.
Label your cuttings if you’re cloning more than one strain simultaneously. Doing so prevents mix-ups unless you’re an expert in identifying different cultivars.
Step 4: Care for your cuttings
Water your cannabis clones regularly while they develop roots. Don’t let your rooting medium dry out, but avoid overwatering. Test the soil to determine if it needs more hydration.
Adding fertilizer is unnecessary at this point, as the soil contains enough nutrients. Overfeeding may shock your clones.
Maintain an optimal temperature of 75–78°F to stimulate root growth. Your cuttings can’t develop roots if the environment is too cold. Place a heat mat under the clones to manage their temperature level.
Use fluorescent bulbs, as fresh cannabis clones are sensitive to intense grow lights. You also risk burning the cuttings.
Your clippings are ready to transplant when roots appear after around two weeks. Leave your cuttings alone during this time.
Step 5: Transplant your cuttings
Prepare your containers with the medium for the transplanting process. Ensure there’s ample space for the plants to develop.
Moisten the soil and wait a few minutes for the water to drain. Make a one-inch hole in the substrate and place the clone inside. Add soil to bury the roots.
There are additional steps to take if you buy cannabis clones. Quarantine them to ensure you don’t bring pests into your growing area. Moisten the cuttings and wait 1–2 days before putting them into their new home.
Common cloning issues to avoid
With the right approach, you can enjoy a successful cultivation journey using clones. Consider the potential pitfalls below to keep your setup hassle-free.
Not selecting the healthiest mother plant
Exercise due diligence when choosing a female mother plant. Ensure it meets the criteria to produce the results you desire.
Taking clippings at the wrong time
Only cut cannabis clones when the mother plant is in the vegetative phase. Taking clippings during the seedling and flowering stage results in less healthy plants.
Creating too many clones
Avoid taking more cuttings than you need, as your plants may become unhealthy.
Poor growing conditions
Provide your clones with the optimal conditions to develop their root system. Proper lighting, temperature, and moisture levels are vital.
Poor rooting medium
The chosen medium depends on the strain, but rockwool or clay pellets are ideal for root growth. Add vermiculite or perlite for excellent drainage.
Where to buy the best cannabis clones
Clones are an excellent way to grow cannabis plants with the traits you like. Established breeders typically use cuttings from their own plants. You may need to buy clippings if you’re a new grower.
Choosing a reputable supplier is vital, as you don’t want replicas of an inferior female plant. There’s also a risk of getting chemically treated clones that may harm the crops you grow.
DNA Genetics offers an extensive collection of premium cannabis clones for sale. Our cuttings come from high-quality mother plants. You don’t have to break the bank to get your hands on affordable clones.
We ship nationwide, so you can order your clones from anywhere in the US. You must be over 21 years old to purchase cuttings. Make sure it’s legal to grow cannabis at home in your state before buying clones.
