Do you know what clones are? Have you ever imagined that there is a way of propagating plants only with a healthy mother (in this case, cannabis) plant, it is possible to give rise to new plants, explore asexual reproduction, in addition to preserving your favorite genetics!
Do you know what clones are? Have you ever imagined that there is a way of propagating plants that only with a healthy mother plant (in this case, cannabis), it is possible to create new plants, through asexual reproduction, in addition to preserving your favorite genetics?
There are two ways for the reproduction of our beloved plant – sexual reproduction, which occurs with seeds from pollination processes and asexual reproduction, made by cutting small branches. It is important to say that the clones are identical to the mother plant from which the cuts were made. Cloning is a way of multiplying genetically equal plants: all of them will have the same genetic make up, that is, the same patterns of phenotypes and genotypes.
Even genetically equal, it is not possible to guarantee that every time a specific genetics is cultivated, all plants will be identical throughout their lives. The same clone grown in inert indoor soil can express different characteristics than the same clone, grown under sunlight and native soil. Different environments, climatic conditions, sources of energy and nutrition may accentuate certain characteristics that will be expressed during the growth of plants.
An interesting curiosity: the clone is the same age and carries the “emotional” charge of its mother (mother plant). A healthy and stabilized parent, who does not experience any stress or problems, gives rise to a clone with all hereditary attributes. So, an important tip: the first step in taking healthy clones is to select a healthy plant that expresses the characteristics that please you.
It is recommended that the clones be taken with the plant in a vegetative state. It is worth remembering that mothers are those who are constantly vegetating, we have heard stories of people who took good care of mothers that lasted a few years, a bit too much though no? In vegetation, the ideal is 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness, this prevents the plant from flowering – while the plant is vegetating it will use to direct all this energy for the development of the roots for future transplantation and leafy bio-mass in preparation to experience the rest of its life cycle when the photoperiod shifts.
Another important tip is the specific climate conditions in which the clone must be cut and also kept during the time of rooting. Low temperatures lenghten the rooting time and the lack of air circulation contributes to the appearance of mold. The clones, after being collected, need to stay in a constant and pleasant temperature – root zone and environment ideally at 24C degrees (75F). Ensuring that the clones stay extremely moist, 80-85% relative humidity in the air in the first few days will also help these babies to survive! To facilitate this process, there are specific boxes for cloning and containment of moisture.
Cloning does not require complex techniques, but plant babies require specific care when taking them out, taking care of them during rooting and, once rooted, transplant them into larger pots or even garden soil! The most common technique for cloning is called cutting, where vigorous and healthy branches are chosen and cut with a thin, clean blade (SUPER CLEAN!) At a 45 degree angle. Important tip: put the clones immediately in water to avoid the formation of bubbles on the branch, they can affect the development of the roots and even kill the clone.
The most complex part that requires the most patience in this whole process is rooting. Depending on the form chosen for rooting, it may take a little more or less for the first roots to develop. There are 3 known techniques that serve as a means for the roots to grow: using cubes of rock wool (or some other soil less medium – something that is not considered soil), soil, or even directly in water.
We, as lovers of resin collection, that is, of the famous HASHISH – we understand the importance of maintaining specific genetics that express good characteristics for hash production – from the profile of terpenes and cannabinoids, but even the extraction yield. The work of most of the “breeders”, the group that creates new genetics is to evaluate these characteristics and develop new genetics in the desired ways.
If you find genetics from the seeds you like, CLONE THEM! Donate to friends, keep the genetics alive and share the love of growing these therapeutic plants. Donating the genetics makes it possible for other people who cultivate to be able to dive deeper to know these strains, which yes, will always be genetically equal <3
SHARE THE GENETICS!
This is the first part of our approach to cloning. What do you think of a tutorial showing how to make clones look really nice? Tell us about it!