How do you germinate your clones for dwc?

Hey guys, I am wondering what kind of medium you prefer using to germinate clones in your DWC.

I have some jiffy pellets but they aren't suited for DWC since the earth residues can clog my pump.
I have heard about rockwool cubes but it is said that it is a bad choice because of its high PH
I have also heard of rapid rooters but they cost 27$ in canada for 50 and I only need 4. I heard that they dry out rather quickly so the rest would go bad after I open the package.

So what medium would you suggest me to germinate my clones?

what pump? Are you in a RDWC system? I'm currently using promix in my net cups, I've used jiffy mix, perlite, gravel, oil dri, cat litter(fullers earth), perlite/verm mix, these have all worked for me in dwc

Yes DWC with a reservoir

I was told that the jiffy pellet breaks down and can clog the pump

yeah don't use it for that, perlite or hydroton is probably cleanest, rock wool would be good if you can get it

I can use hydroton directly to root my clones? I would have to put the fresh cuts into the hydroton net and let it root?

rockwool would be better for that you want a medium that can stay close to the cutting to keep it moist

I hate using any sort of absorbent material inside the hydroton for DWC. I've just had it lead to problems that are easily avoided. It can totally be done, I just try to keep it roots only.

After mixed success growing out clones in an EZ Cloner I switched my method all together. I use the little jiffy pellets first and pop them in a propagator with a hood for about a week - until roots are just starting to poke out. Then I .very carefully peel back the netting on the pellet without breaking the roots, and rinse off the peat. This gets popped into a neoprene ring and a bubble bucket with a mix of root stimulators and a tiny bit of nutes - and ca/mg. About a week or so in there the roots are long enough to move into a netpot. I drape the roots through the holes in the bottom and gently backfill with hydroton. No rooting plugs and no wondering when you're roots are going to show through. They're ready to go from day 1.

Thanks man!

Yup, aero cloner and straight roots into hydroton.best way HANDS DOWN .

Don't waste your money on shop bought cloners.
Made this to see how well they worked and booom! Clones in less than 10 days with nothing but tap water and a dip in rooting powder.
This setup is small and a bit messy but now I know I works really well im gonna make a big one maybe 30 to 50 clones in one unit.

neckpod, really nice pics and nice results.
Love the simplicity.

Although you state it is very simple, I do have some questions.
I was under the assumption that rooting powder or gel did not work in hydro because it would wash right of.

1. So how do you put it on and how long do you wait till you put your clones with powder in the tote?

2. Are the roots submerged in the water, and if so, how deep?

3. Did you also scrave of some of the 'skin' of the stems?

Thanks already

I have used Jiffy pellets in my DWC with minimal problems. The dirt usually stays inside the netting and only the roots are in the water. Jiffys work well but not as good as a Clone King.

root riot cubes work great for clones and seeds in hydro.

Keesje said:

neckpod, really nice pics and nice results.
Love the simplicity.

Although you state it is very simple, I do have some questions.
I was under the assumption that rooting powder or gel did not work in hydro because it would wash right of.

1. So how do you put it on and how long do you wait till you put your clones with powder in the tote?

2. Are the roots submerged in the water, and if so, how deep?

3. Did you also scrave of some of the 'skin' of the stems?

Thanks already

Click to expand...

The stems don't go in the water but just above it, The popping action of bubbles on the surface of the water keeps the stem wet. ( the finer the better for the bubbles) air injection works best.

The powder does wash off but not very quickly and your only washing it into the water that's splashing the stems so they do get it even if it is in much smaller doses.

Maybe they dont even need the rooting powder?

Yes the stems got a scrape with a sharp blade about an inch from bottom up and left for 10 min in the rooting powder before putting in the cloner.

Hope this Helps feel free to ask any more questions.
oh and i never used the heater in the picture but believe this speeds up rooting but also speeds up the onset of stem rot! so its a balance really between speed and loss of the cutting.
i have never lost one yet without the heater on, 100% germ rate and done probably 60 cuts this way now.

Thanks for your reply.

You make it look so simple, but believe me that there are hundreds of growers who envy you.

How long do you keep them in your bubble cloner?
And is there a point where you do add some rootstimulator or other nutes?

+1

toaster struedel said:

root riot cubes work great for clones and seeds in hydro.

Click to expand...

Oxycloner for the easy button, diy can yield the same (bubble cloner)