Just as a caterpillar slowly changes from a leaf munching monster into an eye-catching aerial acrobat, you as a cannabis grower may find yourself evolving your skill and passion with more experience and time. Most of us started out planting bag seeds, and there is nothing wrong with this. By attempting various techniques, you will find those that best suit your specific needs and provide a perpetually endless supply of your favorite strains!

In this segment, we are going to dig into the nuts and bolts associated with cloning. Now for anyone who has ever watched a sci-fi movie, perhaps the notion of cloning is easier to grasp. The concept is designed to replicate or duplicate the genetics which determine the nature of your mother plant.

In a world where opinion is everything, and evidence, along with fact, are often lost in translation, we decided to seek the advice and guidance of a Master Grower. This segment is advised by Mr. W, who imparted his experiences and gave us a practical guide to cloning. Based on personal effort spanning decades, he offered a rarely seen approach to a subject which has become over-complicated for many.

Mr. W has been cloning cannabis plants for quite some time, and while many people opt for expensive, complex systems, his methods are designed to optimize simplicity, cost, and above all, efficiency.

Before we get into the sticks and stalks of cloning, we are going to cover a few basic requirements.

Ensure you are cloning a photoperiod female plant.

Ensure you have a clean work environment and have all tools and amenities prepared.

Please ensure that an adequate mood is set prior to commencing procedures (have something pre-rolled).

Photoperiod feminized cannabis plants display the characteristics required for successful cloning. They develop based primarily on a light cycle and are feminized through selective breeding or chemical treatment methods.

If you start with poor quality genetics, it will not produce a better blueprint should you decide to clone the plant. Reputable seed banks provide a means to ensure that your mother plant will be of sound lineage and breeding. Be sure to select photoperiod feminized seeds if you intend on cloning in the future.

Simply put, a mother plant is going to supply you with all your clones. One of the most neglected areas in the process is in fact, base genetics. To successfully replicate and produce a healthy cannabis plant, the mother plant (also known as the stock) should be in a good state of health. Many experienced growers believe that the vegetative stage of development is critically important in determining the quality of herb when it reaches flowering stage. This can also directly affect your overall success rate and impacts on your stock plant’s reaction to the process. Cloning is preferably done two months into the vegetative growth stage.

Mr. W emphasized the importance of combining low stress training (LST) with a technique referred to as the “pinch and grow” method.

Starting at soil level, the stock plant is thoroughly checked for disease and parasites. Keeping wind exposure to a minimum and humidity levels up will reduce mortality rates dramatically. Bacterial infections on open cut sites are not uncommon, and contaminations or the loss of entire crops have been reported due to parasites.

General maintenance may also include removal of fan leaves and low stress training, which basically allows you to manipulate the instinct of your plant using twist or pull-down nylon, hemp or cotton twine. One end should be anchored while the other end is looped around the branch to be pulled down and set into place. This not only increases the light surface contact area but minimizes possible disease caused by insufficient air flow.

Once you are satisfied that your mother plant is in good health, it’s time to choose your clones. Mr. W goes on to select the branches that will be cut. Each clone should measure between fifteen to twenty centimeters and consist of at least three separate nodes. Cuttings taken midway and up seem to develop roots quicker, however bottom level cleaning cuttings can also be used, but they do usually take longer to show signs of new life.

Preparation is key, and ensuring you have everything in place prior to cutting will impact on your success rate. Wiping all surface areas and cutting instruments with 3% Isopropyl alcohol will kill any bacteria. A pair of sharp point scissors and a blade will be required, as well as three small containers. Two will hold rooting agents, while the third will be a holding station for your prepared cuttings. Still PH neutral water should be used, and Mr. W recommends thoroughly washing your containers before use.