Light up your clones

Unlike seedlings, clones need light from day one, after rooting. Start with lower and diffused light intensities from sources such as T-5 or T-8 fluorescent lighting. During the first few days, the cuttings will do best with just one to two 24 watt strips over the top of a standard 10" x 20" propagation tray.

You can gradually increase the light intensity after a few days by lowering the light fixtures closer to the propagation dome. However, make certain the temperature doesn't rise above 850 F inside the dome after making this adjustment.

Once the roots develop, you can switch to HID lights that provide mostly red and blue growth stimulating spectrums. Condition your plants to this more intense light by gradually decreasing the distance between the plants and light fixtures. After a couple of weeks, your plants should be able to handle very bright levels of light which will encourage healthy, robust and fast-growing plants.

Cloning Done Right

Get everything ready for your clonning operation

Once you start your cloning operation, you don't want to stop to go fetch a tool or materials. You want everything at hand before that first cut on the mother plant.

Cuttings are sensitive to the environment, chemical changes, insects and disease. So the longer it takes you to treat and plant them, the more problems you may encounter.

Here is a list I have used to check off the tools and materials I want on hand before starting. This isn't offered as a complete list. You may have different needs. But it's a good place to start:

* Pre-conditioned rooting media
* Root stimulator
* Rooting accelerator
* B vitamin supplement
* Spray bottle
* Tray with a clear lid to retain humidity
* Thermometer
* Isopropyl alcohol (99.9%)
* Disposable scalpel or razor
* Sterile high density plastic cutting board
* Tray heating mat with thermostat

Some growers use a box cutter razor which is all right. But remember, they often have an oily surface that needs to be removed before using. A surgical scalpel is a better tool.