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Cloning cannabis: Best practices for high success Rates
Are you struggling to get consistent results or facing issues like poor root growth, yellowing leaves, or slow development?
Ignoring these problems could mean wasting time, money, and precious genetics, but with the right techniques, you can achieve high success rates.
In this post, we’ll walk you through everything - from selecting the best mother plants and using the right cloning supplies to avoiding common mistakes and mastering advanced cloning methods.
With our expert tips and strategies, you’ll be on your way to cloning like a pro, ensuring healthier plants, faster growth, and higher yields.
Disclaimer: Any information given on this site is for educational purposes only. Please ensure if you’re growing cannabis, you’re doing so by the law and subject to appropriate permissions and licenses of the applicable country.
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Understanding the basics of cloning cannabis plants
Producing clones involves taking cuttings from a parent plant (known as a cannabis mother plant) and encouraging it to grow roots.
If successful, it’ll then develop into a new cannabis plant that is genetically identical to the original.
This process allows you to replicate the characteristics of a particular marijuana plant that you love, whether that’s a potent strain, a particular flavour, or robust pest resistance.
Why clone cannabis plants?
Taking clones of plants offers several advantages over growing from seed.
Firstly, it guarantees the same genetic makeup as the mother plants. This uniformity is a significant benefit, especially if you’re cultivating cannabis commercially or looking for specific effects or flavours.
Additionally, cloning saves you the time and uncertainty of germination, allowing your cannabis clones to reach maturity faster.
At what stage do you clone a cannabis plant?
The best time to clone cannabis is during the vegetative stage of the plant’s growth cycle.
Why clone during the vegetative stage?
Cannabis plants in the vegetative phase are not yet focused on producing buds, so they have plenty of energy to devote to root development.
This means that cuttings taken at this time are more likely to develop healthy roots and grow into strong, vibrant plants.
Moreover, cloning during this stage reduces the risk of problems like slow rooting or poor growth, which are more common when cloning from a flowering plant.
Cloning flowering cannabis: Is it possible?
While cloning from a flowering cannabis plant is possible, it is not generally recommended unless necessary.
This process, sometimes referred to as "monster cropping," involves taking cannabis cuttings from a flowering plant and then returning them to the vegetative phase.
However, this method is more challenging because of the plant’s hormonal state and often results in a longer rooting time and a higher chance of failure.
If you do decide to clone cannabis during the flowering stage, be prepared for a more extended rooting process.
The plant needs time to revert to the vegetative phase, which can delay growth and reduce overall success rates.
To give your clones the best chance of success, use additional rooting hormones and keep the environment meticulously controlled.
Preparing for cloning
Before you start cloning plants, preparation is critical.
Here’s what you’ll need for the best cannabis cloning setup to ensure your cloning process goes smoothly:
Choose healthy cannabis mother plants
Start by selecting a robust, pest-free, healthy plant in the vegetative phase. Healthy plants will give you healthy, strong clones.
Avoid taking clones from a flowering plant, as they can be harder to root and more likely to fail.
Gather essential supplies
Ensure you have everything ready before you start:
- A sharp, sterilised blade or scissors for clean cuts
- Rooting gel or rooting powder
- A spray bottle filled with water
- A humidity dome or cannabis clone dome to create a controlled environment
- Small pots with a suitable growing medium (like soil or coco coir)
- A heat mat to maintain a warm environment
Prepare your environment
Set up a grow room or space with a warm, humid environment.
Use a humidity dome to retain moisture and prevent the clones from drying out. A heat mat can keep the temperature steady, which is crucial for root development.
Step-by-step guide to cloning
Follow these steps carefully to clone cannabis successfully:
Step 1: Prepare the mother plant
Begin by selecting the right branches from your mother plant.
Choose strong, healthy branches, ideally from the lower part of the plant, where more natural rooting hormones are present.
Step 2: Take your cuttings
In a sterile environment (or as much as possible), use a sharp, clean blade or scissors to cut your chosen branches at a 45-degree angle.
This cut increases the surface area, allowing the fresh cutting to absorb more water and nutrients, promoting the growth of roots.
Make sure each cutting has at least two sets of leaves but no excess plant material.
Step 3: Use rooting hormones and prepare the medium
Immediately place the cuttings in a container with rooting gel, rooting powder or a cloning solution to prevent air bubbles from forming inside the stems, which could hinder roots.
Remember, speed is essential here - the faster you get the cuttings into the solution, the better.
Prepare your chosen rooting medium, whether it’s potting soil or coco coir. Pre-water the medium lightly with water or a diluted nutrient solution, then make small holes to accommodate each cutting.
Step 4: Plant your clones
Carefully insert each fresh cutting into the prepared holes in the loose soil or growing medium. Firm the soil or coco around the stem gently but securely.
Be careful not to damage the delicate tissues of the cuttings. Once all cuttings are planted, mist them lightly with water using your spray bottle.
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Step 5: Create the ideal conditions for rooting
Place your newly planted cannabis clones under a humidity dome to keep them in a controlled environment.
The dome helps maintain high humidity, which is crucial in the first few days after cloning. Keep the clones in a warm, well-lit area, but avoid direct sunlight as it can cause stress.
For the first 72 hours, maintain high humidity and low VPD by keeping the dome closed and regularly misting the clones with water.
After this period, gradually introduce fresh air by opening the dome vents slightly. This process encourages the clones to begin transpiring, which signals them to start growing roots.
To level up your clone game, use a grow room monitor like the Grow Sensor to keep tabs on your clones’ environment.
Step 6: Monitor and care for your clones
Check your young cuttings daily for signs of growth. The ideal conditions are a humidity level of around 70-80% and a temperature of 22-25°C. Use a heat mat if necessary to maintain a consistent environment.
How fast can cannabis clones root?
The speed at which cannabis clones develop roots can vary, but under optimal conditions, you can expect roots to begin forming within 7 to 10 days.
However, the entire rooting process can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on various factors.
Once roots have formed, you can remove the lid from the clone dome and start increasing the VPD to encourage the plants to grow more quickly.
Factors affecting rooting speed:
1. Strain of the cannabis plant
Some cannabis strains naturally root faster than others.
Indica-dominant strains, for example, often develop roots more quickly compared to sativa-dominant strains.
This variability means that the exact time frame can differ significantly depending on the specific genetics of your plant.
2. Cloning methods used
The method you choose for cloning can also impact the rooting time:
- Cannabis cloning in soil or coco coir: Cloning plants in soil or coco coir usually results in a steady, reliable rooting process. Roots often appear within 10-21 days, depending on the environment.
- Using a cannabis cloning kit: Cloning kits often include all the necessary supplies, like rooting cubes, gels, and humidity domes, which can help accelerate the rooting process.
3. Environmental conditions
Maintaining the right environment is crucial for encouraging roots to grow. The ideal conditions include:
- Humidity levels: A humidity dome will keep the humidity at around 70-80%, preventing the cuttings from drying out.
- Temperature: An optimal temperature is around 22-25°C (72-77°F). A heat mat can help maintain this temperature.
- Lighting: Providing 18-24 hours of low-intensity light (such as fluorescent or LED grow lights) encourages clones to develop roots without expending too much energy.
4. Use of rooting hormones
Applying a rooting hormone, gel, or rooting powder can significantly speed up the entire process.
These products help stimulate roots to grow, especially when the cutting is taken from a mother with a high level of natural rooting hormones.
5. Quality of cuttings
Cuttings taken from healthy mother plants, preferably during the vegetative stage, tend to root faster.
Taking clones from the lower parts of the plant, where natural rooting hormones are more concentrated, is also good for promoting root development.
Troubleshooting common cannabis cloning problems
Even with the best preparations, cloning doesn’t always go according to plan. Here are some common problems cannabis growers might encounter and how to fix them:
Overwatering or underwatering
Your clones need a moist, not waterlogged, medium. Overwatering can suffocate roots while underwatering causes wilting. Both can make clones die. Aim for a consistently damp environment, not too dry or too wet.
Yellowing leaves or wilting clones
Yellow leaves could be caused by low humidity, incorrect temperature, or light intensity. To adjust the environment, use a heat mat to maintain temperature or adjust the lighting.
Slow or no root development
Make sure your clones get adequate light and moisture. Effectively using a rooting hormone can also help improve rooting rates and encourage root growth.
Advanced cloning techniques
If you’re ready to move beyond the basics, try these advanced cannabis cloning methods to boost your success rates:
Cloning in water
This method involves placing cuttings directly in water that contains nutrients rather than soil. Regular water changes are required to prevent bacterial growth, but it can produce roots quickly.
Cloning flowering cannabis
While cloning from flowering stage cannabis plants is more challenging because of the plant’s hormonal state, it can still be done. Be prepared for a longer rooting time and lower success rates.
Cloning without rooting gel
While rooting gel is the most popular choice, you can also clone without it. Natural alternatives like aloe vera or willow water can effectively stimulate roots.
Optimising cannabis clone growth
Once your clones have developed healthy roots, it’s time to optimise their growth.
Follow these steps to transition your cannabis clones from the humidity dome to a more open environment:
Gradual acclimatisation
Slowly remove the humidity dome, opening it for longer periods each day to allow your clones to adapt to the surrounding environment. This reduces the risk of shock and helps the plants transition smoothly.
Proper lighting and nutrients
Provide consistent light with grow lights, and feed your cannabis clones with the same nutrient solution the mother plant received. This continuity helps them establish and grow quickly.
Monitoring new growth
Keep an eye on your clones for new growth. Healthy roots will enable new leaves and stems to develop, signalling a successful transition from cloning to growth.
Additional tips for higher success rates
Here are some extra cannabis cloning tips to ensure you achieve the highest rates of successful cloning:
Spray the mother plant
If possible, spray the chosen branch with a rooting hormone solution for two or three days before cutting; this encourages quicker rooting after cloning.
Avoid overcrowding
Give your clones enough space in their pots and under the humidity dome to allow air circulation and prevent mould or fungal growth.
Common mistakes to avoid
To maximise your cloning success, be aware of these common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Overwatering or underwatering clones
Remember that balance is key. Keep the medium moist, not soaked, and avoid letting it dry out completely.
Failing to maintain the right environment
Clones thrive in a warm, humid environments. A humidity dome and heat mat can make all the difference.
Not using the right supplies
Cutting corners on cannabis cloning supplies like rooting gel, sharp blades, or a proper humidity dome can significantly reduce your success rates.
Takeaways
Cloning is an invaluable skill for any grower looking to maintain the best genetics, save time, and achieve consistent yields.
By following these best practices – from preparing the right environment and tools to carefully selecting and nurturing your clones – you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of cannabis cloning.
Remember, patience, care, and attention to detail are your best allies.
Happy growing!
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FAQs
How many clones can you take from a cannabis plant?
The number of clones you can take from a cannabis plant largely depends on the plant's size, health, and growth stage.
For a well-established and healthy mother plant in the vegetative stage, you can typically take 5 to 20 clones at a time.
Larger, more mature cannabis plants can provide even more cuttings, potentially yielding up to 30 or more clones per session. However, it's essential to avoid overharvesting from a single plant.
Taking too many cuttings can stress the mother plant, slow down its growth, or reduce its overall health, making it more susceptible to diseases or cannabis pests.
To maximise the number of viable clones, focus on selecting branches that are growing vigorously and have at least two to three sets of healthy leaves.
Also, it’s important to consider the cloning method you are using. Techniques such as cloning cannabis plants in soil or in water may impact the success rate of your clones.
It's advisable to take more cuttings than you need. This helps to ensure you end up with a sufficient number of healthy clones in case some do not survive the cloning process.
Regularly trimming and maintaining your mother plants will encourage fresh growth and allow for more frequent cloning, helping you to achieve a continuous supply of cannabis clones for your grow room.
Where is the best place to cut cannabis clones?
The best place to cut cannabis clones is from the lower branches of a healthy, vigorous mother plant.
The lower parts of the plant are ideal for taking cuttings because they contain higher concentrations of natural rooting hormones, which help promote root growth.
These branches are often less exposed to intense light and, therefore, tend to grow a bit slower, making them perfect candidates for cloning.
When selecting a branch for cloning, look for a robust branch that is at least 7.5 to 15cm long (3-6 inches) and has two to three sets of leaves.
Ensure the branch is free from any signs of stress, pests, or plant diseases. Always use a sharp, sterilised blade or scissors to make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle.
This angled cut increases the surface area for water absorption and encourages more robust root development.
Should you take clones from the top or bottom?
Take clones from the bottom of the cannabis plant. The lower branches are ideal for cloning because they contain higher levels of natural rooting hormones.
Lower branches are also less exposed to intense light and environmental stress, making them more stable and reliable for the cloning process.
Cloning from the bottom of the plant also has the advantage of maintaining the overall shape and structure of the mother plant.
By removing lower branches, you encourage the plant to focus its energy on the upper growth, which can improve light penetration and air circulation throughout the plant canopy, ultimately contributing to healthier growth.
However, taking cuttings or clones from the top of the cannabis plant is possible if needed, especially if the lower branches are too small or unhealthy.
Top cuttings can still develop roots, but they may take longer because of lower levels of natural rooting hormones.
Do clones yield more?
Cannabis clones can often yield more than plants grown from cannabis seeds, primarily because clones are genetically identical to their mother plant and inherit its desirable traits, including yield potential.
If you select a high-yielding mother plant, the clones taken from it will have the same genetic makeup, allowing you to replicate those desirable characteristics consistently across your grow room.
This can lead to higher and more predictable yields, especially if the mother plant has been selected for its robust growth and high productivity.
Additionally, clones typically reach maturity faster than plants that are grown from seeds because they skip the germination phase and begin growing immediately in the vegetative stage.
This head start can allow for quicker harvests and potentially more cycles per year, which can contribute to higher overall yields.
However, the actual yield from cannabis clones depends on several factors, such as the cloning method, the growing conditions, the health of the mother plant, and how well the clones are cared for during their growth.
Why do most clones fail?
Most cannabis clones fail because of several common issues related to improper cloning techniques, environmental conditions, and inadequate care.
One of the main reasons for failure is insufficient humidity.
Clones require a very humid environment, especially in the first few days after cutting, to prevent them from drying out.
Without a proper humidity dome or regular misting, the clones may wilt and die before roots develop.
Another significant reason is the improper use of rooting hormones.
If you don’t use a good-quality cloning gel for cannabis or rooting powder, or if the cuttings are not immediately dipped after cutting, the clones may fail to develop roots.
Bubbles of air can enter the stems and can also block water uptake, causing the clones to dry out and fail.
Poor environmental conditions, such as incorrect temperature, low light, or inadequate ventilation, can also lead to cannabis clone failure.
What percentage of clones are successful
The success rate of cannabis clones can vary widely, but under optimal conditions, you can expect a success rate of 70% to 90%.
Achieving a high success rate depends on several factors, including the health of the mother plant, the cloning methods used, and the environmental conditions provided for the clones.
The percentage may drop if you’re cloning from a plant that’s flowering or using less ideal methods, like cloning cannabis without rooting gel.
To maximise your success rate, take clones from a vigorous, pest-free mother plant in the vegetative stage and ensure you provide the right conditions for producing roots, such as consistent temperatures, adequate humidity, and gentle handling.
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