Cloning Cannabis may seem like a challenge but after reading this article you will know all you need to clone your very own cannabis plants! Cloning is an example of asexual propagation, meaning a replication of a single parent plant, not being fertilized or pollinated. Cloning involves cutting off a branch from a female plant and planting it in a growing medium. Cloning cannabis allows growers to save time, money and resources when planning for their next crop.
What Do You Need To Clone Cannabis?
A Female Parent Plant
Sterile Pruners or Scalpel
Rooting Hormone
Growing Medium (Rockwool, Soil, Water)
Propagation Plug Tray
Humidity Dome
Propagation Tray
Grow Light or South Facing Window
Hydroponic System (if growing hydroponically - see EZ-CLONE)
Which Growing Medium Should You Use?
As mentioned above, there are several different mediums to choose from - rockwool, soil or hydroponically with water.
The most popular and recommended medium being Rockwool, as they provide excellent growing conditions having great aeration and water retention all while being clean and pest/nutrient free. Rockwool also makes it easy to track your plants progress, you can see this on the sides of the cube/plug. Rockwool does require a little more planning and effort as you need to pre-soak the Rockwool in water for about 2-3 hours before using it. You can use a celled propagation plug tray to hold the Rockwool cubes.
Growing in soil is another good option, however you are unable to track your plants root growth compared to that of rockwool. You can fill a propagation plug tray with soil and place in a regular propagation tray. It is important to have low nutrient soil, if there is fertilizer already mixed in, you may risk the plant dying due to shock.
Growing hydroponically with water is quite easy, however you risk the chance of algae contamination if not done properly, as any sunlight that reaches the water will promote algae's growth. It is also important to make sure your water is filtered and free of any harmful compounds. Using Clay Pellets (Hydroton) can help to keep the plant upright, or the use of neoprene inserts can also be helpful. You can also use a hydroponic cloning setup - like the ones EZ-CLONE offers.
What Part Of The Plant Is Best For Cuttings?
To get the best results when cloning, it is ideal to choose the cutting from new growth, closer to the bottom of the plant, this is important as it will allow the plant to grow roots better and faster. As for sizing, you want to maintain cuttings with a length of at least 3 inches or more, also looking for about 3 nodes or more. Be sure to have clean tools when taking these cuttings to avoid pathogens that could infect your plant, cut at a 45 degree angle for optimal results.
Next Steps
After taking your cuttings, you are going to want to dip them into your rooting hormone and into the grow media of your choosing. Place these clones in a propagation tray and place the humidity dome, the humidity dome will increase rooting rates and provide an ideal climate for cloning. It is important to maintain the proper humidity levels, at around 80%. As for lighting, if you don't already have a grow light, a T5 is a great option at an affordable price, or if in the peak of growing season, you can use a south-facing windowsill. You can expect to see roots in about 1-2 weeks.
You can refer to our blog post " From Indoors to Outdoors: The Ultimate Guide to Taking Cannabis Clones Outside" to learn more about transplanting.