Cloning and Propogation: Tips and Information
11/29/2006 - GreenGoldHydro staff

Cloning and Propagation: Tips and Information

Cloning a plant is a type of asexual propagation that produces plants genetically identical to the single parent.  Commercial fruits like apples and pears have been cloned for decades.  Typical methods include cuttings, layering, divisions, grafting and budding.  Cloning is now a favorite propagation method for the indoor hydro grower because it saves time and money. 

Probably the most common form of propagation used by the home gardener, making cuttings involves removing a section of the parent plant and allowing that piece to re-grow lost tissues.  Stems, leaves and roots are able to be asexually propagated in woody and herbaceous plants.  This is possible because each living plant cell contains the ability to create all plant parts.  Even old cells have the genetic capacity to turn into rapid growth cells. 

The grower should feel free to experiment with many different types of cuttings.  Sometimes, depending on the plant, some types of cuttings with reproduce readily while others take much time and care. 

Mother plants, or stock plants, are the parent plants used in cloning.  Mother plants must be in excellent health and have the genetic traits that the grower wishes to be propagated.  A typical strategy would be to grow several candidates and then choose the best one or two as a mother plant.  Hydroponics research has given the modern grower an array of useful nutrients to ensure excellent health throughout the plants life cycle. 

Herbaceous cuttings are taken from plants like perennials and houseplants.  Softwood cuttings come from woody mother plants.  Cuttings should always be taken before the new growth starts to harden.  Hardwood cuttings are possible, but not recommended.  Leaf cuttings and root cuttings may be used if necessary but offer a lower probability of success.

The gardener must take extreme care in duplicating the conditions that a cutting needs to thrive.  Most cuttings require high humidity, soil temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees F and indirect lighting.  Keeping cuttings enclosed under glass, shielding them from direct sunlight or HID lights is recommended.  The soft lighting florescent bulbs offer works very well.  This is the method usually preferred by indoor hydroponic growers. 

Stem cuttings are commonly used to propagate houseplants.  Use vigorous, newer growth areas that have shown no flowering.  Stem sections should be free of insects and disease.  Remember that cuttings should be 2-5 inches long and include a couple healthy leaves. 

MAKING THE CUT

Using a sterilized razor blade, carefully make a cut a quarter inch below a leaf node.  Go ahead and pull off any leaves that will end up below the surface of the medium.  A great medium to use is the seedling heat mat, available in various sizes at www.greengoldhydro.com in the propagation and cloning area.  Rooting hormone is essential for the successful indoor hydroponics grower.  Using rooting hormone will give all growers a higher rate of cloning success.  Pour some rooting hormone into a small container.  This will avoid contamination of the rest of the rooting hormone bottle.  Dip the base of the stem of the new cut into the rooting powder or compound gel.  A popular choice is the Clonex brand.  The tip of the stem must be on the dry side when dipped. 

Given the damp conditions required for rooting, humidity control is a must to avoid fungus growth.  Because of this, many growers choose a full cloning system like EZ Clone because of the impeccable humidity control.  Don’t leave too much rooting hormone on the tip because that can actually inhibit rooting. 

Poke a hole into the medium of choice before inserting the cutting.  This will help keep the rooting hormone on the stem.  Although a full cloning system is preferred, the grower may get by with a half perlite, half peat moss medium in any disinfected container with good drainage. 

Cover the container with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity.  Or as an alternative, use a humidifier available at any local home depot to bring the humidity higher in the entire room.  A humidity sensor is a standard for most growers using hydro equipment.  Check the rooting medium to be sure that it is moist every few days.  Depending on conditions, rooting may take a few days to several months. 

After a week or two, very gently pull the stem to test for rooting.  If you feel resistance, the roots are taking hold and the bag may be removed and the plant should be placed in standard growing conditions with the rest of your plants.  Congrats and good luck!

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