Hello Everyone!
I have tried growing clones from the clubs on a multitude of occasions. almost every time I see the same harvest. little to no resin production on the buds, small amounts of trichomes, and a heavy vegetable aroma. One time an OG kush clone actually produced stinky sticky nugs. This was only one clone out of at least 5 tries all the way to the end. Everytime I let the clones mature to the point where the majority of trichomes are amber, I then hang and dry in closet to the point where it still slightly moist 6-7days, I stick the nugs in jars, and burp for another week or so.
Recently a batch of seeds was started , and i could smell even the vegetative state from far away. the difference was astounding from seeds to clones.
I am left with this conclusion, some clones that are given to some clubs are taken from the weakest phenotype of a type. i.e. clone is ak-47 but it was the genetic runt of the breeder. my reasoning is that if they gave the best phenotypes everyone could grow the best bud, and that would deteriorate the market for said gentic type, because everyone could grow it at home for 10-15$ a pop.
I am very curious as to why purchased clones almost never produced quality, while seeds produced a far more pungent aroma even from the vegetative phase.
please help.
Here's my take on dispensary clones. You don't know the grower; you don't know the caregiver; you don't know the history of the plant. No Matter.
Choose the healthiest clone(s) to go home with. Go straight home. Do NOT take them into your grow area! Put them in QUARANTINE for two weeks, spraying with Neem or Azatrol or some other, fungicide/miticide/insecticide. All the clones I've ever brought home had either fungus gnats already living in the rockwool or mite-eggs, etc. Only once did spider mites ever get into my veg room. Had to kill three plants that were too infested to save easily. Sad. BUT! Never ever again.... Because of my new quarantine area.
Whatever else happens after the clones are clean and healthy is, literally, up to you. Until then though, blame the dirty clones.
Oh, here's my kicker: We grow all organic. So since we don't know the history of new plants, I grow the clone to donor-status and take as many FREE clones as I like and raise them as I like and to hell with the donor. I may flower it or not, but once it's made me several viable clones, which themselves are clonable..., I've got my ROI for the $20 clone. In other words, I don't trust the "outsider" clones enough to put them through the machine with the rest.
Treat your new clones--whether from a store or a best friend forever--as radioactive until quarantine is cleared. Even then.....watch it closely...
