Newbie clone rooting issues

Hey Guys,

Been trying now for two months to get a clone to root and have been completely unsuccessful.

The strain is Strawberry Guava, and the mother I have is a clone of a friends mother so I know for sure it can be done.

Originally I had a DIY fogger box I made, and I have tried using it as a High pressure fog, low pressure fog, bubbleponic, and just stems in water.
Water PH is 5.5
Temp has been 75 air temp, 68 root temp
I have tried tap and distilled with or without nutes
My light is a 30 watt blue/red/ir bulb in a reflective hood thats about 4-5 feet from the humidity dome, which is just a clear plastic Tupperware container turned upside down, and I have run it at 18/6 and 24 on different attempts

They stay alive, sometimes even grow vegetation, but not a single root.
My current attempt is as follows:
temp 75
light 4 feet above the canopy same 30 watt blue/red/IR bulb
water 5.5 ph with clone food in it at 1/4 the recommended dosage
Using an ultrasonic fogger in a separate box and using a computer case type fan to move it to the root box
I have one of the plant collars just sitting over 3/4 of one of the holes to allow humidity from the root box into the dome

I am currently 2 days into this one so too early to measure at this time. So if anyone has any suggestions about anything I can make adjustments before it gets too late

Thanks for any advice.
 

Snowchaser

Active Member
Hi guys, I'm also keen to try and clone for my next grow (3rd) as soon as I think the mother has enough branches for my desired number of cuttings, but I recently also read NOT to use a humidity/ seedling dome. Anyone got anything to say about that? I have tried once before and I used a dome, unsuccessfully... Keen to hear what you think.
 
I struggled with cloning until I found a method that worked for me.

Post 51.....
I don't have rockwool to test this out, but I have done everything else suggested here...…..I'm kind of afraid the rockwool will be an issue in the HPF setup I have for the actual grow once I can get these to root.
I have heard that rockwool can cause ph probs with a fog grow. is that true?
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Hi guys, I'm also keen to try and clone for my next grow (3rd) as soon as I think the mother has enough branches for my desired number of cuttings, but I recently also read NOT to use a humidity/ seedling dome. Anyone got anything to say about that? I have tried once before and I used a dome, unsuccessfully... Keen to hear what you think.
I've had great success with a clone tray and dome using Root Riots. Even faster with a heat mat under it. But I usually just pop the clones directly into soil, since I don't like to clean the gear after. I would suggest to try both methods and see what you prefer. I've been using Clonex, but am starting to experiment with honey instead. So far the Clonex has worked faster for me. It's not that hard so don't give up man.
 

TintEastwood

Well-Known Member
I don't have rockwool to test this out, but I have done everything else suggested here...…..I'm kind of afraid the rockwool will be an issue in the HPF setup I have for the actual grow once I can get these to root.
I have heard that rockwool can cause ph probs with a fog grow. is that true?
Zero experience with fog. Rockwool probably not ideal.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
I struggled with cloning until I found a method that worked for me.

Post 51.....
Oh ya, I remember that page and your post. I liked it a long time ago. I've never used rockwool, but if I started running hydro, I would definitely be trying that method. That was a good thread.
 

TintEastwood

Well-Known Member
Oh ya, I remember that page and your post. I liked it a long time ago. I've never used rockwool, but if I started running hydro, I would definitely be trying that method. That was a good thread.
Thanks PW.
I thought hydro guys want bare root clones from cloners? Not rockwool.

Me.
I'm scavenging parts off my failed cloner. Lol. Using the mini pump to circulate my chiller/res.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Thanks PW.
I thought hydro guys want bare root clones from cloners? Not rockwool.

Me.
I'm scavenging parts off my failed cloner. Lol. Using the mini pump to circulate my chiller/res.
Well if I was to go the DWC route then I would want bare roots. But if I did coco coir or something I would rather try rockwool. Again I haven't used either though so don't really know shit. I just try not to disturb the roots whatever I do.
 
I've had great success with a clone tray and dome using Root Riots. Even faster with a heat mat under it. But I usually just pop the clones directly into soil, since I don't like to clean the gear after. I would suggest to try both methods and see what you prefer. I've been using Clonex, but am starting to experiment with honey instead. So far the Clonex has worked faster for me. It's not that hard so don't give up man.
Tried doing straight to soil too that was also unsuccessful. There has to be an environment thing I am missing but I have no idea what it is. Every parameter I have researched I am providing within the ranges I see but its just not working and its honestly frustrating the heck out of me.
 

iDab666

Active Member
Rooting temp is ideal at 75. Your not getting roots because it’s to cold buddy. Bump up those temps. Are you supplementing with co2? If so plants can withstand even hotter temps like 85 degrees. I would keep root temp at 75 and make sure your water is room temp for everything you use it for :peace:
 

Bernie420

Well-Known Member
Hey Guys,

Been trying now for two months to get a clone to root and have been completely unsuccessful.

The strain is Strawberry Guava, and the mother I have is a clone of a friends mother so I know for sure it can be done.

Originally I had a DIY fogger box I made, and I have tried using it as a High pressure fog, low pressure fog, bubbleponic, and just stems in water.
Water PH is 5.5
Temp has been 75 air temp, 68 root temp
I have tried tap and distilled with or without nutes
My light is a 30 watt blue/red/ir bulb in a reflective hood thats about 4-5 feet from the humidity dome, which is just a clear plastic Tupperware container turned upside down, and I have run it at 18/6 and 24 on different attempts

They stay alive, sometimes even grow vegetation, but not a single root.
My current attempt is as follows:
temp 75
light 4 feet above the canopy same 30 watt blue/red/IR bulb
water 5.5 ph with clone food in it at 1/4 the recommended dosage
Using an ultrasonic fogger in a separate box and using a computer case type fan to move it to the root box
I have one of the plant collars just sitting over 3/4 of one of the holes to allow humidity from the root box into the dome

I am currently 2 days into this one so too early to measure at this time. So if anyone has any suggestions about anything I can make adjustments before it gets too late

Thanks for any advice.
ph at 5.5 is too low and what ppm is the nute at- 1/4 dosage means squat

Why dont you throw all that out and clone like a normal person would

30 watt bulb four feet from the top, ultra sonic fogger wtf, root box from this post you dont have a root box,

what are you trying to grow in is it the kind where the cut hangs down and water splashes on the stem then you dont need a dome if you have r/w or something like a peat puck then you use a humidity dome.

Maybe the reason your not getting roots is your complicating things up.

Weak mother plant weak clones.
 

NrthrnMichigan

Well-Known Member
I used to use a E-Z cloner with great success, But was a high maintenance, time consuming ordeal... but in the last year I switched to rock wool and tray w/dome...Kind of a set it and forget it system...just make sure your environment is good and you should have decent results. Start with good genetics and good cuttings.
 

CobKits

Well-Known Member
Rooting temp is ideal at 75. Your not getting roots because it’s to cold buddy. Bump up those temps. Are you supplementing with co2? If so plants can withstand even hotter temps like 85 degrees. I would keep root temp at 75 and make sure your water is room temp for everything you use it for :peace:
temp def important. some strains are harder than others. even in cold temps i usually see roots at 3-4 weeks tho

30W 4 feet above is really low light, i usually use the 15W LEDs (with the dome popped off) 12-18" above a tray (or put the clones down low in an existing veg room with ample indirect/reflected light)
 

CobKits

Well-Known Member
I used to use a E-Z cloner with great success, But was a high maintenance, time consuming ordeal... but in the last year I switched to rock wool and tray w/dome...Kind of a set it and forget it system...just make sure your environment is good and you should have decent results. Start with good genetics and good cuttings.
yeah i gave up on the cloners. can go so much faster with wool and get a higher percentage (close to 100% though i pitch the slower ones usually)
 

Skidmarx

Well-Known Member
Environmental and genetic factors aside... have you considered how and when your making the cuts as the factor?
I was in same boat the only few things I changed which helped this run.
Cut off mum had 8 internodes & quite woody. I cut folage off at 4th n 3rd down. (Diagnal cut @ 4th) then trimmed tips at 1st/2nd. (auxins in internodes)
Dont ph cloner for 3 days after the initial 5.8 (50/50 tap/ro)
Due to central heating temps in first 4 days 75 to 80f (you dont have roots to rot)
They took 1/2 the time to root.
You will get it sorted Ww. Just keep at it.
 
ph at 5.5 is too low and what ppm is the nute at- 1/4 dosage means squat

Why dont you throw all that out and clone like a normal person would

30 watt bulb four feet from the top, ultra sonic fogger wtf, root box from this post you dont have a root box,

what are you trying to grow in is it the kind where the cut hangs down and water splashes on the stem then you dont need a dome if you have r/w or something like a peat puck then you use a humidity dome.

Maybe the reason your not getting roots is your complicating things up.

Weak mother plant weak clones.
PPM is roughly 350-400

The setup I have is like a clone x cloner where it has holes in the lid with 2 inch collars with a pump and spray nozzles
The difference with mine is that instead of the pump and nozzles I have a "pond fogger" for lack of a better description and a fan that blows the mist into the clone box

The setup is actually almost exactly like a high pressure fog clone box you could buy on amazon, and far more simple then you might believe.
My grow will also be aeroponic and because of that I cant use rockwool cubes as far as I know because they cause issues in the aero grow with PH and root rot. Its not complicated, and there are commercially available clone boxes that run on the same premise.
 
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