Cloning

Cloning plants is a method used to produce several plants from one “donor plant”. This method has been in use for hundreds of years and is relatively easy. Cloning a plant produces an exact, genetically identical copy of the mother plant. Because the natural method of reproduction is bypassed, no genetic alterations are made. This is one of the methods used to reproduce hybridized plants since most cannot reliably reproduce naturally. In order for cloning to be successful, certain conditions must be met. A sterile environment is of course important. Humidity must be very high, 90-100%, and the temperature must be maintained at about 80ºF. Low indirect lighting must be supplied. A 20 watt florescent fixture would be a good option. A rooting hormone or cloning gel should be used in most cases. Cuttings should only be taken from new growth of a healthy plant. They should be of the first 3-5” of a healthy growing tip with no more than two or three sets of leaves.

There are many methods for taking cuttings, this is the method I typically use. You may find it necessary to research cloning methods that will work best for your particular situation. First, clean your work area and sanitize all surfaces with a diluted bleach/water spray. Either use sterile surgical gloves or a good hand sanitizer to clean your hands. Have a warm bowl of water, sterilized growing medium, and your hormone powder or cloning gel ready. If you are using cloning gel or hormone powder be sure to follow the manufacturers directions so you do not ruin your entire supply. You will also want to mix a gallon of ¼ strength nutrient solution.


Using a sterile blade cut the selected tip and immediately place the end of the cutting in a bowl of lukewarm water. While the cutting is submerged make a 45º angled cut above the original cut. Carefully remove the lowest set of leaves from your cutting, this is where the new roots will form. Dip the cut end into your rooting hormone or cover the end with cloning gel and then insert the cutting into your starter medium up to the bottom nodes. Moisten well and cover the cuttings with a large clear plastic dome to maintain constant humidity at 90%-100%. Feed your cuttings with a ¼ strength nutrient solution and keep under low indirect light. Cuttings should develop roots in 7-21 days, and are then ready for transplant.


Transplanting your seedlings and cuttings into your hydroponic system is stressful to your plant no matter what the circumstances are. Newly developed roots are very delicate as well as the entire plant structure. Minimizing stress is an important aspect of transplanting. Plants should always be hardened and acclimated to their new environment. This is especially true if transplanting outdoors. Hardening off is a method of slowly introducing young plants to intense lighting, lower humidity, fluctuating temperatures and wind. Plants that will be grown indoors do not have to undergo a very harsh transition although they will be subject to the intense light produced by HID and an entirely different environment. For plants being transplanted outdoors you can start the process by placing your plants outside in indirect sunlight with low wind for a couple hours a day for 2-4 days. If your plants will be grown indoors, you can start by introducing your plants to a higher level of lighting by placing your HID lighting two feet higher than normal and slowly decreasing the distance over a few days.


After your plants have been hardened off, they are ready to be transplanted into your hydroponic system. The process consists of carefully placing them into the grow site or net basket and gently filling any empty area with more growing medium. If you are using a system with a growing bed made of LECA or something similar, a good method is to use a coffee can with both sides removed to push into the rock bed. You can then remove the medium from inside the can to the desired depth, place your plant into it, and then back fill. It's important to make sure that your plants are receiving enough moisture during the first few days.


Almost any soil grown plant can be put into a hydroponic system as long as it is a mature plant that is healthy enough to undergo transplantation. Because all of the soil from the entire root ball must be removed, the plant must be hardy and able to withstand the process which should be considered quite a violent process. To minimize the damage, first soak the root ball in lukewarm water for ½ an hour and gently shake while submerged to remove the bulk of the soil. Next use warm water to gently spray off any remaining soil, and then trim any dead or decaying roots.