Well, 3 of the 4 clones are no longer with us. 1 is still standing, even after a transplant into 100% perlite... Tonight will be 72 hours since a desperate second attempt at cloning took place. I have adjusted this method and used it for my second attempt,
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=42847&highlight=walmart.
I also took 1 more cutting from the FI plant, aswell as 3 cuttings from the Unknown plant (which happens to look quite similiar to the FI in my novice opinion). So, at this moment, I have 5 cuttings that I am trying to root. If 1 cutting from each plant would root so I could sex them, I will be happy. However, these cuttings I have taken until now have been from the very bottom of the plant and are rather small compared to what I see in most tutorials and videos, and the main reason they have been removed was for clearence from the soil to the new "first" node. Trying to root them to sex them was just a fun/beneficial side quest so to speak. The new first nodes tops are about 2 inches tall. It will be atleast 2 weeks before I want to take anymore cuttings, but hopefully a couple of the cuttings I already have will root
Also, I have come to a serious realization. I assumed that the failures to my sprouting and cloning thus far have been related to a lighting or moisture/humidity issues. However, after actually using my pH meter on my plants water... it is insanly high. Like 8.1.
I am leaning more towards that being the main issue with my setup here. I also use well water for my plants here which has a very high TDS of about 600-700. What would be the best and easiest way to lower the pH in my water? I have pool supplies, but would that be appropriate for this application? Or is there something in the cupboard I could use?
I have completed construction on my new "Mother/Clone" box and am no longer using my first larger box. I have plans for that box as a scrogger, but not until I get a more powerful lighting setup. Probably will get that going next spring, but for the winter I need to keep things smaller to help deal with low temps and low humidity.
The new box has 6-4 ft fluorescent tubes lining the top and is painted all white. There is also 2 pc fans exhausting air and several holes drilled in the bottom for incoming air.
Also, I added 2-900 lumen 6500K cfl's to my flower box which already had 1-2000 lumen 2700K and 3-1950 lumen 2700K (ran out of identical ones at the tiny hardware store near here lol).
I think this will be perfect to flower a handful of clones with very little to no veg time. I think during the winter, that's about what I am limited to.
Stupid Question... If I top my plant, will the two resulting tops branch out like the original shoot would have done?
Edit. Vinegar to lower the pH. I flushed the plants with a 6.8 pH solution of water and white vinegar. I also changed the water that the "rooter" is sitting in. Lets see how they react to that. Fingers crossed. Could have never done that without my little pH meter. About $5 or so off ebay. Also, my TDS after pH'd sits at about 525-550ppm. Also $5 off ebay... Very useful products for about $10 if you ask me.
I will take and upload some pics when I get home... Gotta take the kids out trick or treating... lol (3 and 4 yr old girls).