So far I think the secrets are not so secret=great light=kept as close as poss., lots of air flow, good and plentiful nutes, good medium, ever vigilant for bugs (esp. spider mites), foliar feeding, cleanliness, CO2 (I talk to mine),and patience. Along the way you will discover little things to improve the ways you do things, like using solo plastic cups foe clones, (I light a candle and heat a metal skewer to make drain holes), but I used to only fill them half way to save soil-now it's at least 3/4 because I found out it's pretty difficult to spray for mites, esp. the leaves close to the soil, when it's far below the rim of the cup. In the mite wars my currently preferred weapon is Sucrashield, it's organic, I can spray daily if I have to, it doesn't harm seedlings or clones (or full grown plants), and doesn't cause burn. I use a minute amt. of veg oil and a drop of dish soap to help it stick, too. Once you get them under control or to keep them at bay, I spray once a week and mix in little bit of nutes to up the ante. And more patience. Everybody wants an award winning garden even the first time out, but really it's a process-trial and error.