Clone problems; No roots, a little mold, yet they look healthy as hell...wtf lol.

Took some clones a week ago, did 45 degree cuts and threw them straight into water. Dipped them in Rootech gel and stuck them in pre-soaked/ph'd/sterilized with boiling water peat pellets. (Let them cool down first of course.) Then I put the pellets on the upside down lid of a clear rubbermaid bin and then used the bin as a big biodome. It has 4 CFL's 2 feet above them. Temps ranged from 70-75. Lights 18/6.

Now they look totally fine, pretty much just like the day they were cut but on the outside of some of the peat pellets I noticed a fine white mold and I peeked down into a few of them and didn't see any roots starting at all. I've been burping the biodome and misting them once a day.

So...should I try and save them by maybe re-cutting them and just putting them into plain water until I see roots and ditch the peat pellets and or biodome all together?

First time attempting cloning so any input is appreciated. Thanks. =)

lose the dome for half the day atleat then more they will root there no reason for them to root if they get all that water from the air they dont need roots you get it this is imo.

hit the star

lower your lights to like 6" above them atleast mist once a day as well open dome once a day for like 10 - 15 mins.
when u did 45 degree cut did u put like 4 to 5 very light cuts up the stem ???? if not re cut them and either slice up the middle of stem 1/4 inch up then dip in hormone or put like 4 or 5 minor slices up the stem ????

oh an i forgot run lights 24 hrs

and let them be may take week to 3 weeks to root

I make a mini-greenhouse with a clear plastic garbage bag. I put it on a shelf about two thirds up the wall and hang two cool white four foot tubes over it, attached to the ceiling. Put a layer of ordinary gravel in it for drainage. There is a drain/air hole in the bottom about 2 inches round. I cut rockwool slabs into 2" x 2" x 3"h cubes. I use a #2 powdered rooting agent and insert my snips into it stopping about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the cube. You'll have to make the hole to insert your snip. After placing them in the mini-greenhouse using a sprayer refill the rockwool cubes with water. Give the clones a good misting with the sprayer and all but the drain/airhole seal up the greenhouse. You'll have to mist it again 5-7 days later. You should have roots by then. If they are left in the bin after they are rooted the door has to be left open a crack and water frequently with the sprayer using a light solution (1/6 reccommended for dirt) of ferts. Read the instructions on the rockwool and the rooting powder. Do not touch the rooting area of the stem with your fingers.

I have had cutting go a couple weeks with no roots then I found out in order to trigger rooting hormones you have to reduce lighting so I dont think you want to put your lights closer.
The other thing is the temperature of the rooting zone, you want 75 to 80° colder temps will slow them down. Try letting them dry some. spray the dome, not the plants to increase RH.

Naw, I dont think you need to start over but maybe make a few adjustments.

Personally, the biggest factor I've noticed in how it takes for them to root is temperature. With 80 degree temps I see roots in about 4-5 days using cloning powder in a home-made little bubbler system. With 70 degree temps using the same setup it can take up to 3 weeks to see roots...

Any ideas on the little bit of white mold on the outside of the pellets? Just let them dry a bit?

withoutAchance said:

lose the dome for half the day atleat then more they will root there no reason for them to root if they get all that water from the air they dont need roots you get it this is imo.

hit the star

Click to expand...

Makes sense, that and they probably don't get enough fresh air unless I do that. =)

DrFever said:

lower your lights to like 6" above them atleast mist once a day as well open dome once a day for like 10 - 15 mins.
when u did 45 degree cut did u put like 4 to 5 very light cuts up the stem ???? if not re cut them and either slice up the middle of stem 1/4 inch up then dip in hormone or put like 4 or 5 minor slices up the stem ????

oh an i forgot run lights 24 hrs

Click to expand...

I shaved the backside of the 45 degree cuts slightly. On the few pellets I opened to take a look inside, it's like that area is just kinda gone...or soggy looking. =/

pre soak your media for a coulpe of hours in a rooting formula "root 66" or what ever you use. then shake media out to get rid of any exta water dont squeeze it out,your pellets should be moist not dripping wet. foiler feed for a couple of days then spray media foiler feed a couple of days then spray media. foiler feed with a lite misting 2 time a day

brownbearclan said:

Took some clones a week ago, did 45 degree cuts and threw them straight into water. Dipped them in Rootech gel and stuck them in pre-soaked/ph'd/sterilized with boiling water peat pellets. (Let them cool down first of course.) Then I put the pellets on the upside down lid of a clear rubbermaid bin and then used the bin as a big biodome. It has 4 CFL's 2 feet above them. Temps ranged from 70-75. Lights 18/6.

Now they look totally fine, pretty much just like the day they were cut but on the outside of some of the peat pellets I noticed a fine white mold and I peeked down into a few of them and didn't see any roots starting at all. I've been burping the biodome and misting them once a day.

So...should I try and save them by maybe re-cutting them and just putting them into plain water until I see roots and ditch the peat pellets and or biodome all together?

First time attempting cloning so any input is appreciated. Thanks. =)

Click to expand...

keep good air flow and run 24/7 for cuttings

brownbearclan said:

Took some clones a week ago, did 45 degree cuts and threw them straight into water. Dipped them in Rootech gel and stuck them in pre-soaked/ph'd/sterilized with boiling water peat pellets. (Let them cool down first of course.) Then I put the pellets on the upside down lid of a clear rubbermaid bin and then used the bin as a big biodome. It has 4 CFL's 2 feet above them. Temps ranged from 70-75. Lights 18/6.

Now they look totally fine, pretty much just like the day they were cut but on the outside of some of the peat pellets I noticed a fine white mold and I peeked down into a few of them and didn't see any roots starting at all. I've been burping the biodome and misting them once a day.

So...should I try and save them by maybe re-cutting them and just putting them into plain water until I see roots and ditch the peat pellets and or biodome all together?

First time attempting cloning so any input is appreciated. Thanks. =)

Click to expand...

You say they are looking fine ... then leave them alone, all you will achieve by recutting, etc. is increasing the risk of death ... they are looking fine, they will be fine and will root when ready.

A bit of mould on the peat pellet, no drama.

I would stop putting boiling water on the pellets, all that does is "maybe" kill a few mould spores on the outside of the pellet.
If you are concerned about mould on the pellet, just use a mild fungicide.


You can try different methods with future clones but I would suggest that you leave these ones alone.

https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/388984-dadios-practice-cloner.html

Here is link I made recently with a practice cloner . Yours looks similar so I don't see why it wouldn't work . Just give them some more time.

I'm going to let them go one more day but they are looking a little jacked up right now. I'm going to add a heatpad on low underneath (worked good with seeds so I know it won't be too hot) and lower the lights a bit. Also I'll start switching up pellet feed/foiler feed. Awesome tips! =)

Heat pad helped a lot, I see roots! =D

Also my catnip is sprouting hee hee. =)