Mother Co Plants Fertilizer? The 165 New Answer

Cannabis mother plants are an ideal way to obtain cuttings of your favorite specimens. Discover the art of selecting, growing and caring for perfect mother plants below.

An in-depth guide to cannabis mother plants.

When you find a cannabis strain that rocks your world, you want to experience it over and over again. The easiest way to replicate a favorite discovery is to take clones from a mother plant. Using mothers has a number of advantages. Strain traits are known and repeatable, females are guaranteed and growth is more or less standardized. With good care, mothers can keep it alive indefinitely and enjoy it for years.

The benefits of using mother plants

When timed right, cloning mother plants can mean harvesting one day and having more plants ready the next. With overlapping growth schedules, you can always have plants in bloom – with more ready in no time.

Mother plants are ideal sources for young plants when using the Sea of ​​Green (SOG) technique. Similar sized clones create a homogeneous canopy with no tall or short phenotypes to consider, optimizing exposure and yield potential.

Mother plants can be as big as you need them. Ambitious breeders with lots of space need big mothers for many clones. Smaller spaces that only fit a few plants will only need a small mother plant. Cannabis can be easily customized to suit your personal circumstances.

Consistent properties are guaranteed with every cutting breeding. Commercial growers appreciate the standardization; domestic producers appreciate the reliable performance.

There is no risk of breeding males with clones, making for an efficient grow space filled exclusively with females.

What are the requirements for growing a healthy mother plant?

While keeping a mother plant sounds like it requires a lot of space and equipment, it’s actually quite easy. Here is a list of all the things you need to grow a healthy mother plant:

Cultivation area of ​​80 × 80 × 150 cm

Small grow tents work great, but you can also let your mom grow in a closet or closet. Some growers even use the bonsai method to grow small, healthy mother plants in a small space.

Grow easily

Most growers use low-power fluorescent lights, around 100–150W, to keep their plants growing at a healthy, manageable pace. If you are looking to boost the growth of your plants or are keeping multiple mums at the same time, we recommend you switch to metal halide lights.

Exhaust fan (optional)

We recommend using a 100-200cc exhaust fan to freshen up the air in your grow room. You should also consider using a small oscillating fan to improve air circulation around your mother plant.

Timer & thermo-hygrometer

Having a timer to set the photoperiod for your plants and a thermo-hygrometer to keep track of the temperature and humidity in your grow room is extremely helpful.

Choosing a mother plant

Mother plants can be grown from seed or clone and are maintained in vegetation throughout their lives. Choosing a mother plant requires some preparation when growing the original plants from seed. It’s a wait and see game.

Keeping detailed records and pictures of growth traits and effects ensures things don’t get mixed up. Choose the most outstanding plant from a single-strain plant or the best from a multi-strain plant. In the second week of flowering, the males have appeared and can be disposed of.

But how do you know which of your plants are worth keeping around as a mom?

What to look for in a cannabis mother plant

Vigor: Select plants that germinate quickly and exhibit vigorous, healthy growth during both the seedling and vegetative stages.

Select plants that germinate quickly and show vigorous, healthy growth during both the seedling and vegetative phases. Root Health: A healthy root network is the heart of a healthy plant. When transplanting, keep an eye on which plants seem to be developing the healthiest roots, and keep this in mind when choosing your mother plant.

A healthy root system is the heart of a healthy plant. When transplanting, keep an eye on which plants seem to be developing the healthiest roots, and keep this in mind when choosing your mother plant. Pest Resistance: Pests and diseases can ruin an entire cannabis crop. You should choose a mother plant that shows natural resistance to common pests and pathogens.

Pests and diseases can ruin an entire cannabis crop. You should choose a mother plant that shows natural resistance to common pests and pathogens. Hermaphroditism: We never recommend cloning hermaphrodites or keeping them as mother plants as your clones/mothers will inherit the same traits.

We never recommend cloning hermaphrodites or keeping them as mother plants as your clones/mothers will inherit the same traits. Bloom Potential: Keep an eye on the speed at which your plants develop their buds and how they form. You’ll want to keep mothers whose clones produce buds with a homogeneous structure, good flower-to-leaf ratio, and excellent trichome production.

Keep an eye on the speed at which your plants develop their buds and how they form. You’ll want to keep mothers whose clones produce buds with a homogeneous structure, good flower-to-leaf ratio, and excellent trichome production. Smoke Report: Once you’ve harvested a strain, be sure to take the time to analyze its buds after a solid drying and curing. Consider the flavor and aroma of the strain, the potency, and the size and quality of its yield.

In an ideal world, you want to pick a plant that performs exceptionally on all of these fronts. However, remember that plants are not perfect and you will likely have to make some compromises when it comes to which ones you want to keep as a mother. The final decision depends on the traits you value most in a plant.

How to select a cannabis mother plant from seed

When you germinate a batch of cannabis seeds, the plants you end up with in your garden or grow room will likely exhibit a wide variety of phenotypic variations. Despite being sold as the same strain, some plants can grow tall with wide internodes while others grow smaller and bushier. The colors on the plants’ leaves can vary slightly, as can the size and shape of their leaves and the smell and taste of the buds they produce.

This is because most cannabis seeds on the market today are F1 polyhybrids: the first generation of seeds created as a result of crossing two non-stabilized hybrids. Unlike corn, wheat, or pretty much any other agricultural crop, cannabis has not yet undergone the rigorous breeding techniques that help breeders stabilize different plant strains.

While this means that cannabis seeds can sometimes produce unexpected results, it also opens up a lot of possibilities by giving breeders and growers the ability to work with plants with a wide range of potential traits.

When growing from seed, we recommend taking cuttings from each of your plants once they are around 2–3 weeks into their veg stage. Wait for the cuttings to root and give them at least two weeks of growing time before flowering (while leaving your seed-grown originals in vegetation). This gives you the opportunity to evaluate the vegetative growth, cloning potential and flowering development of each plant. Here are a few things to look out for when choosing a mother plant from seed:

Stress Threshold: After taking cuttings from your plants, keep track of which ones coped best or worst with the stress of pruning.

After taking cuttings from your plants, keep track of which ones coped best or worst with the stress of pruning. Rooting Potential: Check which of your cuttings will root the fastest.

Check which of your cuttings took root the fastest. Vegetative Growth: As your cuttings grow for 2-3 weeks, note which cuttings are growing the fastest and developing the healthiest leaves. When growing indoors, you will generally want plants with short internodal distances.

As your cuttings grow for 2-3 weeks, note which cuttings are growing the fastest and developing the healthiest leaves. When growing indoors, you will generally want plants with short internodal distances. Flowering Potential: Once you get your clones into the flowering phase, watch how quickly their buds develop, how well they form, their resin production, and their aroma. Also consider how well-suited her buds are to your growing environment. For example, if you’re struggling with high humidity and heat, you’ll want to choose a plant that produces looser, airier buds that are less prone to mold.

Once you’ve got your clones flowering, watch how quickly their buds develop, how well they form, their resin production, and their aroma. Also consider how well-suited her buds are to your growing environment. For example, if you’re struggling with high humidity and heat, you’ll want to choose a plant that produces looser, airier buds that are less prone to mold. Harvest Quality: After you’ve harvested, dried, and cured your cuttings, taste each plant to make a final judgment on its flavor, aroma, and potency.

How to feed a cannabis mother plant

Because mother plants are kept in constant vegetation, you want to make sure they have access to nitrogen and other micronutrients for the growth phase. Ideally, we recommend feeding mother plants organic fertilizers (like vermicompost or compost teas) to encourage healthy microbial life in the soil, which in turn will help clean the plant’s medium and prevent salt build-up in the root zone.

You can feed your mother plant like any regular vegetative plant. However, some breeders choose to feed their mothers special fertilizers that contain a milder concentration of nutrients.

care for mother plants

Keeping a plant in vegetation for months (or even years) requires some work for the grower. Without proper care, mother plants can develop nutrient deficiencies, root problems, or grow to unmanageable sizes. This is how you keep a mother plant healthy and happy so that it produces the best clones.

Regular topping

Topping is essential to controlling the size of your mother plants. Outperform your moms early, around two weeks into their vegetative phase. As the new branches grow toward the light, use pinching and LST to bring them toward the ground and create an even canopy. Continue topping the plant regularly to train it to grow within the confines of your grow room/tent.

Air pruning roots

One of the big challenges in keeping mother plants is keeping them in the pot for long periods of time. Plants left in pots for too long can develop root rot and become root bound, which can then lead to nutrient deficiencies, stunted growth, and problems with pests and pests.

To keep your mother plant’s roots healthy, grow her in a fabric pot that will naturally prune her roots. These pots burn out apically dominant root shoots with a thin film of air as they pick their way through the growing medium. This prevents the roots from reaching the edge of the pot, allowing for more weeks in a single pot – rather than cutting the roots once a month or so as with regular pots.

Each time you prune your mother plant, turn her upside down to inspect her root area. When a plant’s roots have started to grow around the outside of its medium in the shape of the pot, you’ll need to prune them with clean pruning shears or scissors. Ideally, we recommend pruning a plant’s roots back to half their original size. Repot the plant, top up with additional soil if necessary and water well.

While it may seem counterintuitive, trimming a mother plant’s roots is an important step in keeping the plant healthy and protecting it from root problems while it stays in the pot for months or years.

Permanent vegetation cycle

Mother plants must be kept in the vegetative growth phase indefinitely. This means that they must receive more than 12 hours of light every 24 hours. If they are in a vegetation chamber, they will get the standard 18/6 day/night vegetation cycle. If they are in their own area and you want to slow growth rates, a 14/10 day/night cycle will keep them in vegetation but grow more slowly. If you want more clones as soon as possible, stick to the 18/6 rapid growth schedule.

Using a metal halide lamp to utilize the blue light spectrum promotes ideal vegetation. Alternatively, you can consider full spectrum LEDs.

When can you take clones from a cannabis mother plant?

You can start taking clones from a healthy mother plant that starts about two weeks into her vegetative cycle. While the plant is young, we recommend taking only 2-3 clones at a time. As the plant grows, you can gradually take more cuttings from it each time.

How many times can you take clones from a mother plant?

After pruning, we recommend giving your mother plant at least two weeks to recover before taking any more cuttings. Taking too many clones at once or not giving your mother enough time to recover can stress the plant, stunting its growth and making it more susceptible to pests and pests.

The Everlasting Harvest: Every grower’s dream

With a healthy mother and a correct cloning protocol, you can manage to get multiple harvests of top quality buds per year. Known as the Perpetual Harvest method, this practice is all about timing your cloning and harvesting processes right so that your new clones are ready to flower as soon as your old ones have been harvested.

You can keep your mother in almost any medium or system.

The only medium you can’t use is Coco. After about 6-8 weeks, your plants will no longer be able to absorb nutrients from this medium as it “locks out” significant parts of your nutrients.

Many people also avoid hydro systems. Moms grow tall and bushy quickly. As a result, they produce too many cuttings and are more difficult to care for. If you don’t want many clones, it’s best to keep a small to medium sized mother.

Most people use a large pot of soil or Cellmax.

mother plants and clones

Making clones or cuttings is an excellent way of plant propagation. Any plant can be cloned, regardless of age or growth stage. A clone is an exact genetic copy of the mother plant. Each cell of the mother plant carries a DNA blueprint of itself.

A female plant reproduces 100% female all like the mother. Keep mother plants in the vegetative stage for a consistent source of clones. Start new mums from seeds every year. Mother plants should get 18 hours of light per day. Give mothers less nitrogen to encourage rooting in clones.

Take clones from mother plants that are at least two months old and in the vegetative growth phase.

Clones from mother plants less than two months old can develop unevenly and grow slowly.

Clones taken from flowering plants root quickly but require several weeks to return to vegetative growth. These clones can flower prematurely and are more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Clones from lower branches of the mother plant are the easiest to root because they contain more of the right hormones.

Using a sharp blade, make a 45-degree cut across the firm and healthy branches two to four inches long. Cut off 2-3 pairs of leaves and growth nodes that reach below the soil line, leaving at least 2 pairs of leaves above intact. Using a sharp blade, split 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the stem at the bottom of the clone to have more surface area for roots to grow. Immediately place the cut ends in water until ready to plant the freshly cut clones. Dip the clone stems in a rooting gel or liquid hormone and place it in the new growing medium.

Grow the new clones with any G8LED C-Series grow light for 18 hours a day. The C2 and C3 lights are great for propagating clones. The lights can be up to 12-18 inches from the top of the cloned tips.

Cloning is traumatic for plants as they undergo an incredible transformation as they go from a severed top to a rooted plant. The chemistry of the plant changes as the stem that grew leaves must now root to survive. The growing medium must drain well to avoid waterlogging. These new clones will be the next generation of your indoor plants.

To maintain a perpetual garden cycle, indoor gardeners must master the cloning process. One of the most important but often overlooked parts of the cloning process is maintaining a healthy mother plant. After all, the clones taken from a mother plant are not only genetic duplicates, but are most likely harboring any pathogens or pests infesting the mother plant when the cuttings are taken. In order for a grower to get a full batch of healthy clones, they must have a healthy mother plant. Ideally, a mother plant has its own area to create an optimal sub-climate. She also needs a slightly different nutritional regime than the other plants in an indoor garden. Gardeners who take the time to set up a mother plant area properly and provide the appropriate care will be rewarded with generation after generation of fresh stock.

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Selection of the mother plant

There are a variety of reasons why a particular plant is chosen as a mother plant. First and foremost it is its genetic profile. In other words, breeders generally try to clone a plant with desirable traits or genetics. This is somewhat subjective as different growers may have different preferences when it comes to the smell or taste of a particular plant species. Another trait often sought after by indoor gardeners is vitality and the ability to thrive in an indoor environment. Put another way, mother plants are usually selected from strains that perform extremely well in the breeder’s specific grow space. In many cases, breeders choose multiple candidates for a mother plant. They clone each and allow the plants to evolve through their life cycle. Depending on the performance of each plant, breeders can then determine which plants are good to keep as mothers. Plants showing signs of defects, mildew, pests, or other undesirable issues should be avoided entirely or at least nursed back to health before using them as mother plants.

Specific area for the mother plants

Mother plants do not require a large area; However, it is important to create an area where the plants can be comfortably accommodated and the atmospheric conditions can be easily controlled. Many growers build dedicated mother plant rooms or use a small grow tent to house the mother plants. A closet or large closet space can also be converted into a mother plant growth chamber. The ideal temperature range for a mother plant is around 70-80°F. Ideally, the operating temperature does not vary more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit between the lights-on period and the lights-off period. Humidity is another important consideration. Maintaining consistent moisture levels can do wonders for a mother plant’s overall health. It also reduces the clones’ transitional stress when they are brought into the cloning area and while they are waiting for roots to develop. The ideal moisture range for a mother plant is 60-65 percent. A small humidifier may need to be installed around the mother plant area to keep this humidity level constant.

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planter

In most cases, large potted containers (10-15 gallons) are good mother plant storage containers. This allows mother plants to grow quite tall without being tied to roots. There is no written rule for the planters, and some growers prefer to use smaller vessels and rotate mother plants more frequently. In general, larger planters facilitate plant health over a longer period of time.

Lighting for the mother plants

Mother plants are basically kept in a perpetual state of vegetative growth. Therefore, a good full-spectrum lighting system with a reasonable amount of blue light works best for mother plants. Most growers opt for a metal halide or fluorescent lighting system as both technologies contain a good amount of blue light. Light quality is also an important aspect. It is more important to provide a full spectrum light than a very intense light. The goal is to maintain health, not allow the mother plants to grow vigorously.

The light period for mother plants should be 18-24 hours of light. I personally recommend 18 hours of light with 6 hours of darkness. I believe all biological life benefits from rest and plants are no different. However, if growers are having a harder time maintaining ideal temperature and humidity ranges when the lights are turned off, it may be better to use a 24-hour light cycle. Put simply, if atmospheric conditions are more consistent when using a 24 hour light cycle, that should take precedence rather than giving plants a dark cycle to rest.

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Nutrition for the mother plants

Some growers think that mother plants simply need a good vegetative fertiliser. Vegetative fertilizers usually contain high levels of nitrogen to encourage accelerated growth. This is great in the veg phase, but is not ideal for maintaining mother plant health over long periods of time. Again, the goal of mother plant cultivation is to encourage the healthiest possible growth, not the fastest growth possible. Healthy growth starts with using the highest quality potting soil. When the organic matter in the soil is depleted, growers can supplement with a liquid fertilizer. A good rule of thumb is to use a diluted mix of vegetative and flowering fertilizers. A mix of quarter strength vegetative feed and quarter strength bloom feed can be a great mother plant feed regimen. For mother plants kept in hydroponic solutions, a good rule of thumb is to balance nitrogen and potassium in a 1:1 ratio. A 1:1:1 ratio N-P-K is a great general nutrient solution for mother plants in a hydroponic system. In many cases, the calcium contained in the base nutrient may not be sufficient to support continued healthy cell development in mother plants. So it’s always a good idea to use a special calcium supplement for mother plants.

In addition to the basic nutrients and calcium, it is advisable to supplement the nutritional program of the mother plants with enzymes, micronutrients and trace elements. All of these supplements, when used in addition to a base fertilizer, help maintain overall health. Many growers also use some sort of foliar application program for general health. A fulvic acid or seaweed extract can be used as a foliar spray to promote healthy development. It’s important to remember that all grow spaces and plants are slightly different. All growers should experiment a little to develop their own specific fertilization schedule to maintain the health of their mother plants.

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Pruning and trimming

To keep mother plants healthy and under control, indoor gardeners need to do some trimming or pruning. In many ways, keeping mother plants is similar to owning large bonsai plants or a hedge. Topping and trimming mother plants not only keeps them healthy, but also automatically propagates the new growth shoots that can later be taken as clones. Most growers trim or prune the branches just above a knot space. Where a shoot is removed, two new shoots will emerge from the knot. Of course, the cloning process automatically prunes mother plants. That’s not to say, however, that mother plants should only be pruned when clones are being taken. Pruning or trimming can be a regular activity and is a fun way for growers to shape the mother plants.

prepare clones

After setting up a mother plant area and taking proper care of the mother plants, growers are ready to take the clones. However, there are a few steps you can take to prepare your mother plants for the cloning process. The first thing growers should do is closely inspect mother plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies or damage from pests. A magnifying glass or pocket microscope are great tools for close examination. After the mother plants have passed the inspection, they can be placed in complete darkness for 12-24 hours before taking the cuttings. Plants create and store sugars during the process of photosynthesis. The idea is to take the clones when they contain the highest amount of these stored sugars, which would be during the plants dormant or dark cycle.

Cloning mother plants allows gardeners to replicate the best genetics in their garden over and over again. By adjusting lighting, humidity, and temperature to provide mother plants with the right environment, gardeners can rest assured that they have a healthy stock to clone. While keeping mother plants healthy is easy for those with a green thumb, there are little tricks of the trade that will improve the cloning process. For example, developing a specific feeding schedule for mother plants can go a long way in maintaining their health over time. The way growers shape, trim, or prune their mother plants can also contribute to the efficiency of the cloning process. At the end of the day, it’s the gardeners who love their mother plants the most that will be rewarded with better chances of cloning success.

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They say variety is the spice of life. While this is undoubtedly true for many things, when it comes to growing mother plants and cuttings in a greenhouse or elsewhere indoors, consistency is key to quality. The farm design and crop care plan should be developed with consistency in mind.

Uniformity begins with the parent line and propagation. If you can repeatedly grow identical crops, they can be controlled for maximum production from the start. All subsequent inputs such as labour, climate and watering can be tweaked to deliver top quality crops time and time again.

The mother’s burden

Sourcing dams is an essential first step in creating a consistent crop. Whether you are getting rooted cuttings, seeds, or tissue culture plants, make sure they will not transmit pests or diseases and will provide the desired end product.

A test batch of plants can be created. Watch them grow throughout a life cycle to determine how well they will perform in your facility. At each stage, take detailed notes on the rate of root development, plant height, stem diameter, leaf and stem color, node spacing, and the natural structure of the plant. Also note the WC and EC measurements of the root zone in climatic conditions. These notes will help you determine optimal spacing, watering and climate strategies, and timing of parturition.

substrate volume

But before you start growing the mother plants, choose a substrate type, determine how much volume each plant will need, and the ideal planting density. Once those details are established, consider the watering requirements. Mother plants are usually maintained in large amounts of growing media, typically 5- to 25-gallon pots, and are watered infrequently, one to four times a day if lucky.

Having large mother plants in larger amounts of substrate has some pros and cons. More substrate helps buffer the irrigation system. So if your system is down or you don’t have time to water frequently, a large root zone can protect the plant. On the other hand, having large mother plants increases the risk that a bad mother will spoil multiple cuttings, reducing the yield of an entire crop.

Use less growing media with plenty of room for root development. Make sure it has good water holding capacity and EC control. These factors allow irrigation to be used as a tool to control and manage the growth of mother plants, making them healthier and improving the quality of the cuttings they produce.

Vegetative and generative growth

What we are talking about is the balance between vegetative and generative growth. Vegetative is the growth of leaves and stems, while generative is the development of fruit and flowers. Both phases can be used to control how the plant grows throughout its life cycle.

If you want your mother plants to grow faster, implement a vegetative watering strategy by:

Maintaining a higher overall WC in the root zone.

Having minor dry ridges between waterings and overnight.

Using small shot sizes with high watering frequency.

Lowering the EC at the dripper and in the root zone.

To slow growth, reduce stretching, and be more generative, do the following:

Decrease the total WC in the root zone.

Increase drying out between each watering and overnight by delaying the first watering of the day and stopping before dark.

Decrease the watering frequency while increasing the volume of each shot.

Increase dripper and root zone EC with lower substrate temperatures.

It is important to test these strategies while regularly noting plant height, node spacing, general plant development and health.

climate control

Like irrigation, climate also has a significant impact on how plants grow. Using different types of light with different intensities affects the performance of mother plants from propagation to flowering. Climate control techniques need to be explored and used as a tool to control plant growth.

When cutting cuttings, pay attention to the environmental conditions and their influence on the success of the culture. High light intensity, humidity and temperatures affect the health and success of the cuttings. Get better results by reducing environmental conditions when cutting cuttings.

Propagation: Green Sea

Smaller mother plants can grow in very high densities with just enough space that they are barely touching. This sea of ​​green helps the cuttings to grow straight and take new ones without stressing the mother plant.

Mother plants are grown to exact specifications with an equal number of leaves. After the mother plants are planted, it takes them four weeks before they have about five fully developed leaves. Once they are large enough, pinch the head with a leaf to create a uniform plant structure across all mums. Keeping the number of leaves and branches consistent across all plants is crucial for an even growth rate.

The first cuttings can be taken two weeks after the first pinch. Subsequent cutting flushes can be done weekly. During this process, you may end up with some taller plants that need pruning between harvests. Not all cuttings are taken in one day. It can take a full week to take all the cuttings during a flush to keep the mother plants balanced.

With each subsequent flush, keep an equal number of leaves between each mother plant so they grow at an even rate. The perfect equation depends on what plants are growing. A little experimentation and plant registration will help determine the ideal number of leaves, growth rate, and number of cuttings that can be produced in a given time frame.

Check the plants daily between each harvest to ensure even growth. Remove leaves gradually to keep plants even and balanced. Mother plants are typically kept for a total of 26 weeks, which is especially true for cannabis. Keep in mind that the success of cannabis cuttings quickly diminishes over time. Given the limited uses for pest and disease control, it’s a good idea to change mother plants every three or four months.

tools and tricks

To get the most even cuttings possible with the least amount of work, “mother growers” use a special tool to keep the cuttings the same length. This plastic tool uses a flat surface with a sharp edge that also aids in cutting while being taken. Only new growth head cuttings are taken and some stem is left over the node to protect it so it can grow another cutting.

It’s important to have an accurate visual scale for the size of the cuttings you want. Stem diameter groups cuttings into thick, good, and thin. Cuttings can then be grouped into batches based on their growth rate. In addition to maintaining stem length and diameter, each cutting must also have the same number of leaves.

irrigation

The timing, frequency, and amounts that cuttings are watered have a huge impact on how plants develop. Watering too early is the biggest problem for most growers. Determine the best time to water using weights from trays and individual plugs in combination with plant observations. Observe how much water is applied after the first dry spines and work to find the optimum amount for the young cuttings to develop. Growers who flood high on the side of the plugs and oversaturate the substrate tend to have problems with root development. Experiment with smaller floods or dips to keep the young root zone healthy.

Wetting lines are popular in commercial farming because they reduce the need for expensive labor and various discrepancies. At home or on smaller farms, manual watering bars and hand watering can be used. However, the speed and flow of the water must be adjusted depending on the substrate used. Rockwool should be made with repeated, slow and even applications to ensure adequate saturation. Applying too much water too quickly can result in dry patches in the media that last through the life cycle of the plant. Inconsistent growth affects the evenness of growth.

Flooding is also an effective, even method to saturate the blocks, but for large and multiple batches, be sure to dilute the solution and adjust the EC and pH. Nutrients should always be used at the beginning with Rockwool. Ideally, soak new plugs or blocks in a nutrient solution between 1.5 and 2.0 EC and pH 5.5. I recommend using nutrients for cuttings from the start as rockwool provides none to the plant.

The weights of the stoppers, trays, or blocks should be checked at the initial saturation to ensure it was done correctly. Weights should be checked again 24 hours later and periodically to determine the best time to apply the first flush. After initial saturation, the best way to maintain uniformity is with climate and irrigation.

climate control

The climate has a significant impact on the development of the cuttings. For example, low light intensity slows down plant growth and makes plants susceptible to diseases. High humidity is also another cause of poor growth. To achieve the best possible cuttings, experiment with systems and tools that help keep humidity levels between 70 and 90% while keeping moisture out of the canopy. High heat and humidity lead to mold and mold stains.

Growers need to be sure that air and root zone temperatures are not overly hot and humid. Once these cuttings have established a root system, work on acclimating the cuttings to the climate that will be used for growing. On commercial flower farms, use a clear plastic tarp to cover all cuttings for the first week. Seedling trays are usually stackable for ease of movement and have a built in structure so the tarp can be placed and removed without disturbing the cuttings. Once the cuttings have started to take root in the substrate, the tent is removed and a misting system helps keep humidity levels at the optimal level.

In life, consistency isn’t always a good thing. But when it comes to cuttings, nothing beats it.

Happy growing!

When growing a seed pack, it’s not uncommon to find a plant that stands out from the rest, with a number of desirable traits that are hard to find in the same phenotype. Breeders are wondering…

Can I “backup” a cannabis plant?

The answer is of course positive. Taking cuttings or clones of cannabis plants is easy and the way to go if we want to keep a particular plant for years, even decades. We could try to replicate plant genetics through seeds, although this method is difficult and takes a lot of time.

On the other hand, when we take cuttings from a cannabis plant, we ensure that those genetics are preserved as all cuttings will be exactly the same as their respective mother plants. In this way we can enjoy over the years the same taste, effect, yield, etc., exactly the same buds as those of the first plant we grew from seed (of course we can also use cuttings from cuttings given to us take). ). Logically, we cannot take cuttings from autoflowering strains as they do not depend on the photoperiod to start flowering and are therefore impossible to keep in a constant growth phase.

Let’s take a look at the most important aspects to keep in mind when trying to keep mother plants in indoor grow tents.

Vegetable room with mother plants and cuttings

Growing space requirements for keeping mother plants

We need the following materials to grow and maintain our mother plants:

A growing space, not overly large. An 80 x 80cm grow tent is perfect, although we can also use built-in cupboards etc. It all depends on the number of plants we want to keep.

is perfect, although we can also use built-in wardrobes etc. It all depends on the number of plants we want to keep. A lighting system. Fluorescent tubes or low-consumption lamps (blue spectrum) are normally used to maintain mother plants and root cuttings. There are several models (W) of these lamps available, with the 100W lamps being the lower end. They are efficient and generate almost no heat. In the event that we want to grow in larger spaces or need to boost the growth of our plants, using HM lighting systems would be advisable. The latest LEC CMH lighting kits work great

the lower. They are efficient and generate almost no heat. In the event that we want to grow in larger spaces or if we need to boost the growth of our plants, its use would be advisable. The latest LEC CMH lighting kits work great. A 100-200 m3/h exhaust fan to remove heat (if needed) and refresh the air in the grow room

to remove heat (if necessary) and refresh the air of the grow room. A timer to set the photoperiod for the plants

to adjust the photoperiod for the plants. A thermo-hygrometer to control the temperature and humidity values

for checking the temperature and humidity values ​​A small clip fan to improve air circulation

How do you keep a cannabis mother plant?

Various mother plants

First of all, we should have a clone of the plant we want to keep. This is the easier way to start since we don’t have to germinate seeds and choose the best female from all the plants. Plant the clone in a 3.5 liter pot and use an 18/6 photoperiod (18 hours of light per day per 6 hours of darkness) which will prevent the plants from flowering. This way the plant keeps growing and we can take more cuttings from it. From time to time we can remove our old mother plant and renew it with a cutting taken from it.

On the contrary, if we use seeds, we must grow them, take cuttings from all plants, make them flower, remove male plants in case we use regular seeds, and finally decide which is our chosen one. Once we know which plant will be our mother plant, we can discard the remaining plants/cuttings.

Depending on the number of cuttings we need, we use larger pots and more powerful lighting systems.

Feeding cannabis mother plants

Since all mother plants are kept under a constant growth photoperiod, their nutrient needs will be met if we use a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and trace elements. In this way we prevent plants from suffering from nutrient deficiencies, which is important if we want to keep them for months or years.

Properly grown mother plants will produce many cuttings

Regular use of enzymes is also recommended, as they help to break down salt residues in the substrate, making them available to plants again and thus “cleansing” the media of excess salts.

We must not forget to use foliar fertilizers, also a kind of nutritional supplement (Hemplex), from time to time, to ensure that our plants grow healthy and lush.

mother crop protection

Since mother plants usually have very long lives compared to the plants we harvest, they are more susceptible to pests and diseases. For this reason we should establish a schedule of using different insecticides (Neem Oil, Expelex) and fungicides (Propolis, Triadimenol) to apply these products every 15 days (depending on need of course).

Healthy plants produce healthy cuttings

If we take clones from our mother plants, we should also apply a propolis treatment over the leaves, which will help heal the cuts in the branches while preventing bacterial and fungal growth.

Cut mother plants

Pruning and even training our mother plants is very important to keep her height under control. Even if we don’t need cuttings, we should prune the tops of our plants regularly, otherwise they will overgrow and compete to reach the light, stretching and producing fewer clones.

Always remember that when you prune a branch, two new branches will grow from that point. The more we prune a plant, the bushier and more branchy it becomes.

The ability to clone cannabis plants should be seen as a bonus if you want to become a successful breeder. When cloning plants in horticulture and agriculture, a sample is taken from an existing plant. Next, expose her to a stimulating environment and plenty of nutrients to ensure you’re growing a “copy” of the original.

When cloning cannabis plants, you can select plants with outstanding characteristics to ensure their strengths are passed on.

Marijuana growers choose this technique because of the numerous advantages of cloning a plant compared to growing it from seed. Cloning is a reliable way to improve your harvest and yield without sacrificing potency.

However, cloning is only possible once you know which plants are the healthiest and most successful. You must also be able to distinguish between “male” and “female” plants. For the record, a single mother plant can produce over 50 clones per week!

While the marijuana growing process has no guarantees, cloning is as close as it gets. Plus, it’s easier than you think! So, without further ado, let’s talk about cloning marijuana plants.

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Ultimate answers to the questions: “What is cloning?” and “Why do you need to clone cannabis plants?”

Cannabis cloning involves taking a cutting from a mature plant and moving it to another location to allow it to grow on its own. Cloning sounds extraordinarily sophisticated, but you simply identify a productive marijuana plant, take a sample, and grow it elsewhere! The cloning process is also known as “asexual reproduction”. The clones you grow are rooted cuttings that are genetically identical to the marijuana plant you took them from.

It’s one of two ways to grow cannabis. The other method involves sexual reproduction, in which a male plant is crossed with a female through pollination. This process creates new seeds, which are then planted to produce a genetic hybrid of the two “parent” plants.

advantages of cloning

Consistent Cultivation: Since clones are copies of a specific marijuana plant, they share the same genetics. They grow similar to each other and also to the mother plant. You will know how to take care of her as it is the same process as growing the mother plant. Therefore, you know the yields to expect, the smell, the taste and the potency of the buds.

Because clones are copies of a specific marijuana plant, they share the same genetics. They grow similar to each other and also to the mother plant. You will know how to take care of her as it is the same process as growing the mother plant. Therefore, you know the yields to expect, the smell, the taste and the potency of the buds. Inexpensive: Cloning accessories are not expensive and otherwise almost “free”.

Cloning accessories are not expensive and otherwise almost “free”. Convenient: while some clones root faster during the veg phase, you can take clones up to fourteen days before harvest. With clones taken from flowering plants, you may see unusual growth in the first few weeks.

While some clones root faster during the veg stage, you can take clones up to fourteen days before harvest. With clones taken from flowering plants, you may see unusual growth in the first few weeks. Speed: Clones have an automatic advantage over their seedling counterparts. Each clone starts at the same age as the parent plant. This means it is mature when you start the process. Of course, cloned plants grow extremely fast in the first few weeks.

Experienced cloners claim that taking the lower branches of a parent plant is best. This is because they usually receive less light and are more likely to wither if left alone. Let’s say you take four of each of the lower branches of a parent plant and use them to create clones. In theory, this simple tactic will quadruple your harvest!

Disadvantages of Cloning

It would be remiss of us to claim that cloning is a “perfect” solution. While theoretically effortless, the practice of cloning doesn’t always end up the way it should. If you’re an outdoor grower, you’ll get the most out of cloning in regions with longer growing seasons. Regardless, your clones are unlikely to ever reach their potential in terms of height.

They grow faster than seedlings in the first few weeks. However, they only begin to grow about three months into the growing season when the mother plant is mature. On the plus side, you can still benefit from fantastic yields from short clones.

The cloning process is considered virtually risk free as you will not harm the health of the mother plant. However, it is important to know that clones have a low survival rate. Don’t be surprised if 90% of your clones die.

How to clone cannabis plants from your garden

Arguably the most difficult step is selecting mothers for cloning. It’s the cornerstone of the whole process, so don’t rush and pluck the first healthy plant you see!

Analyze your plants and choose the one that is robust, fast growing, has excellent yields and has healthy buds and big roots.

Before the first cut, make sure your plant is in a vegetative state. Although you can take a plant during the flowering phase, it will have a harder time taking root. This increases the mortality rate. If you’re cloning for the first time, you won’t have enough knowledge or extensive growing experience to determine your best options.

In this case, simply select a vegetative state female who appears to be in good health. We also recommend cloning plants from regular seeds instead of using feminized seeds. Remember that a cannabis plant will only produce feminized seeds when it is stressed. If you pluck plants from such seeds and strain them again, there is a chance that they will become hermaphrodites.

Your choice of mother plant must be at least two months old. Your best chance of success is to pick a plant that has been in its vegetative state for three months. If you exercise this level of patience, you can get multiple clones from a single plant. Make sure the plant you choose gets about 10% less nitrogen than usual in the two weeks before cutting. This tactic increases the chances of successful rooting.

You’ll also need some select gear for the cloning process, including:

water

A rooting medium

A razor (This is a better option for cutting cuttings than scissors, as the latter has the ability to crush branches. A blade should help you get a clean cut.)

A rooting hormone

You will also need the following during the cloning process:

paper towels

duct tape

Sterile gloves

Several 16 ounce plastic cups, preferably in clear and red colors

99% isopropyl alcohol

pH meter

journal grow

Permanent marker to create clear labels

bleach wipes

7 steps to prepare your mother plants for pruning:

Refrain from fertilizing: Do this in the days before taking your cuttings from the mother plant. It is a necessary step to help the nitrogen exit the plant’s leaves. Too much nitrogen in the stems and leaves will tempt the clones to go through the vegetative phase instead of rooting.

Do this in the days before taking your cuttings from the mother plant. It is a necessary step to help the nitrogen exit the plant’s leaves. Too much nitrogen in the stems and leaves will tempt the clones to go through the vegetative phase instead of rooting. Avoid stressing the plant: ideally, carry out all work in a sterile environment. This is necessary to avoid disturbing your mother plants and cuttings.

Ideally, you carry out all work in a sterile environment. This is necessary to avoid disturbing your mother plants and cuttings. Choose healthy lower branches: In most cases, 8-10 inch cuttings with multiple nodes are ideal. If using Rockwool as a planting medium, match the stem to the root hole of the cubes so they fit properly.

In most cases, 8-10 inch cuttings with multiple nodes are ideal. If using Rockwool as a planting medium, match the stem to the root hole of the cubes so they fit properly. Cut close to the main shoot: The best way to get rid of your trimmings is to use a razor. Experienced growers recommend cutting at a 45 degree angle to the branch. This increases the surface of the root space and ensures faster growth.

The best way to remove your cut is to use a razor. Experienced growers recommend cutting at a 45 degree angle to the branch. This increases the surface of the root space and ensures faster growth. Put the cutting in water as soon as possible: if you wait too long, bubbles can form in the stem and prevent water absorption. This will kill the clone. It has been suggested that adding extra cuts in the stem before placing it in water improves rooting potential.

If you wait too long, bubbles can form in the stem and prevent water absorption. This will kill the clone. It has been suggested that adding extra cuts in the stem before placing it in water improves rooting potential. Cut the Leaves: After placing several cuttings in the water, cut the leaves for better photosynthesis. This also helps with rooting if you provide a cleaner environment. Cut the fan leaves halfway up the stem; You can use scissors for this step. Remove unnecessary leaves near the ground to prevent them from absorbing essential nutrients and water. It also prevents leaves from touching.

Choose the right rooting medium

There are three main rooting mediums.

1 – Rockwool Cubes (or non-floor equivalent)

Rockwool cubes are ideal for clone rooting as they offer excellent moisture retention and airflow. You can find them in virtually every grow shop in the United States and on countless websites. Place the clippings in a cube under a CFL lamp.

Ideally, the ambient temperature is between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity level of 90% or more. Under such conditions, the roots will appear after a maximum of 12 days. Soak the cubes in water with a pH of 5.5 for a few hours before use.

2 – Transporting your clones into the ground

Don’t make the mistake of choosing soil with a lot of nutrients. Avoid adding too much or too little water to the soil during the rooting process. Since you need the clone to use all its energy to germinate roots, remove mature leaves on the stem. Dampen the cut stem and dip it in the rooting hormone. Next, stick the plant in the soil under CFL lights and leave it there while the roots form.

3 – root in water

This is the easiest option as you don’t need rooting media or hormones. Simply place the cutting in water and make sure it stays there until it grows. Once again, remove the mature leaves from the cutting and place the clone in a 16-ounce container that you fill with water. Make sure the water has at least been treated with plant food.

Submerge the stems of the plants in water and check for algae growth every few days. Change the water if you spot algae. It is best to keep sun exposure below normal levels until the leaves begin to grow at the top. Usually these leaves grow at the same time as the roots.

Once there are enough roots, it’s time to transplant.

There are also automated units that provide oxygen, light, and water to your clones without you having to lift a finger. They are an excellent investment if you can afford the prohibitive cost.

The rooting process

If you follow these steps, your clones will be rooted in 7-10 days. First, make sure you label each clone clearly. If there are multiple tribes and you don’t mark them, it’s easy to make mistakes. This could potentially lead to the loss of your valuable harvest. The following is the “rockwool or non-earth” method.

You need the following equipment:

clone shell

razor blade

clone gel/powder

A pair of small plastic buckets

spray bottle

7-inch vented dome

Rockwool cubes, peat pellets, or another non-soil option

grow lights

day 1

Fill one of the buckets with warm water and add the non-earth substitute. For example, Jiffy 7 peat pellets are useful because they expand in size when immersed in water. Place the pellets in the water and wait for them to swell. Remove them one at a time and squeeze out excess water. Place the pellets in a cloning tray and add the trimmed cuttings.

Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and place each in a pellet. Rockwool cubes are probably an easier option as they have a tiny hole built in for clones. Add about 5mL of water to the pellets to activate the hormone. Spray the cuttings with water and place them under your light source. Place the dome on the tray and make sure the cuttings are in there now.

If using CFLs, place the light 1-2 inches above the top of the dome. When using metal halide lights (preferably 400w or 600w), hold the light two feet from the top of the dome. Please ensure the dome vents are closed for the first 48 hours. Remember that the temperature of the grow room should be between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Related article How to control the humidity in your indoor grow room Our top tips on this important…

day 2

Remove the dome from the tray and spray the inside of the dome and the cuttings with water. Replace the dome and repeat the above process at least once a day. This is a crucial step as the water dilutes the leaves’ nutrients, forcing the clones to seek them out. It also keeps the water level more constant as the plant cannot drink through the roots.

day 3

Perform the spraying process twice. Next, open the vents in the dome. On this day we also want to dry the pellets. When moisture escapes, small roots are forced to grow rapidly as they seek moisture.

day 4

Do the same as you did on day 3. At this point, all of your clones should be standing independently.

day 5

Check if the pellets feel dry. If this is the case, add 500ml of water to the bowl where the pellets will absorb the water. This will continue to force the roots to seek water and also make them migrate downward to find moisture. This process ensures faster rooting.

day 6

Close the dome vents and continue spraying twice a day. You can see some roots breaking through the pellets. By closing the ventilation openings you create a high level of humidity as the water is trapped in the bowl.

day 7

At least half of the clones should have roots by now. Be sure to keep the dome vents closed as you will need to maintain high humidity levels for the rest of the process.

Days 8-9

In most cases almost all roots are visible. Add 500ml of water to the bowl with a small amount of added nutrients. This is a crucial period as roots could triple in size in 24 hours.

day 10

Remove the dome to allow the clones to acclimate to normal humidity. All of the roots should now be visible and ready for transplanting.

transplanting roots

Once you see vegetative growth on your clones, it’s important to transplant them into larger containers. There is a risk of “transplant shock”. This can kill your clones, so make sure you exercise a high level of care and hygiene during this process. If you’ve ever transplanted seedlings during the growing season, you have the knowledge needed for soil-rooted clones.

Things are a bit different if you rooted the clones using the water method. The first step is to dig a hole about 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Move the container with the clone and its water into place. Never expose roots to air! Place your plant in the freshly dug hole. Fill in the gap with potting soil combined with the soil you dug up. Pat down the soil and use two liters of water in combination with plant fertilizer to water the area.

Clones that have taken root have a good chance of surviving because their parent plants were vigorous and mature.

Hopefully your clone will reach the flowering stage within three months. Don’t be shocked or dismayed if the clone is a different sex than the parent plant. This is a common occurrence.

How to introduce cannabis clones

If you’re looking to introduce new genetics into your garden, clones are a quick and easy way to do so. Unfortunately, clones also come with many problems. First of all, they can ruin your entire grow if you do it wrong. Although you should be able to find a reputable clone source e.g. B. your local pharmacy, this is not always so easy.

Find a trustworthy clone source

Finding a reputable seller is one thing, but figuring out the source of your clone is quite another. You should be able to purchase clones from a nursery or local pharmacy. They usually get their clones from internal sources. Occasionally they can get these cuttings from a third party, which is where the problems start.

No matter who the supplier is, ask them where the clones are from.

If you don’t get a clear answer, go elsewhere. A lack of knowledge about the origin of your clones is a red flag. When you take home a mysterious clone, you know nothing about the pests it attracts, its susceptibility to disease, whether it contains pesticide residues, or whether it has been labeled as such. Introducing these types of clones into your garden could kill all plants.

Breeding and studying clones

It’s difficult to spot problems like pesticides, pests, and disease unless you’re an experienced grower. However, you must inspect the clones thoroughly before adding them to your garden.

Here are four things to look out for:

1 – disease

There are some visual cues to help you identify possible illnesses. For example, a discolored plant with limp leaves is unhealthy. Although plants often give off a mild yellow tint when rooted, be wary of other odd-looking colors. Powdery mildew is a visible sign of disease, and mold spores are often transferred to the surface of your clones. White powder on the tips of the stem leaves is the vital sign to look out for.

2 – Pests

In some cases you may be lucky and see larger species such as spider mites on the plant. However, pests come in all shapes and sizes, so we recommend a careful search under each individual leaf. It’s also a good idea to check your soil medium as pests can attach. Pests often have specific “signs” to look for. For example, spider mites are known to leave bite marks on leaves.

3 – stem width

If the trunk is thin and narrow, the cut is likely from a weak branch. Such cuttings are more susceptible to disease, and the rooting process takes longer. A thick stem is usually the sign of a strong and healthy plant.

4 – Pesticides

As we mentioned above, knowing the origin of the clone is extremely important. It can help reduce the likelihood of pesticide use, otherwise it can be difficult to detect. Modern pesticides leave no residue and can last throughout the plant’s life cycle. If you see residue, ask your supplier about it and learn more about how they deal with pests in-house.

Clean and quarantine fresh clones

Even if the clones pass all your tests, don’t assume they’re clean. There’s a chance you’ve missed something, so you’ll need to clean and possibly quarantine the plants first. The first step is to transplant the cuttings into appropriately sized containers. Keep in mind that the growing medium you use will likely be different than what is used in the shop. It is also possible that the existing medium contains vermin. Therefore, transplanting to a cleaner location could prevent root damage.

At this point, it’s up to you to decide how to treat your cuttings to protect them from pests. Most growers dip their plants in organic pesticides before transplanting them into the new medium. We recommend quarantining them for about a week to ensure the safety of the rest of the garden. If they develop any symptoms during this time, you can get rid of those plants before introducing other plants.

How to raise a mother plant

The mother plant provides the cuttings to create clones. It grows in a continuous vegetative stage as you constantly cut off clones from it. The cloning process guarantees that all plants in the garden are producing at the same rate. They should offer similar yields, taste the same, and be the same potency. Such plants have the same vigor as the mother plant, which is why choosing the right plant is so important.

Why are cannabis mother plants important?

The most important thing about mother plants is the consistency they provide. When you are a commercial grower, your customers expect the same quality every time, something you achieve with cloning. The problem with growing from seed is that you have to deal with different nutrient needs and differences in growth patterns. The result is a variance in quality and potency from one plant to another.

Here are three compelling reasons to grow a mother plant:

1 – Cost

Quality cannabis seeds are expensive, up to $10 each. When you grow weed for seed production, it becomes less of a liability. Otherwise, you will have to pay a lot of money for new seeds for each cultivation. Buying individual clones is also expensive. However, if you germinate handfuls of the same seeds and use one mother plant, you can produce dozens of clones at no extra cost.

Related Article Dispensary Marijuana versus Growing Your Own We look at the pros and cons…

2 – speed

Clones accelerate the start of the growth process. You don’t have to wait for the seeds to germinate, so the first few weeks are very productive.

3 – quality

Seeds of the same strain have different phenotypes. When you discover a strain with a fantastic phenotype, a mother plant will help you replicate those qualities. This is possible with any culture as you can produce genetically identical offspring.

How to select a cannabis mother plant from seed

Choosing a mother plant can be difficult as marijuana plants often display multiple phenotypes. However, you should have success if you follow these steps.

Once you have received your latest batch of seeds, start the growing process as usual. Once the plants are growing well, begin cutting cuttings during the third week of vegetative growth. Always take your cuttings before the plants start flowering. Remember that clones have the same biological age as their parents. So if you take cuttings from a flowering plant, your clone will continue to flower despite its size.

Label the cuttings so you can distinguish the parent plants. Begin flowering of donor plants via the usual 12/12 light cycle. Cuttings must remain on the vegetative light pattern. Then wait for the plants to show their sex and remove all males and their corresponding clones.

There are certain marijuana strains that are known for a long flowering period. If you grow one of them, her clones are likely to grow unwieldy in size and start flowering. In that case, take clones from those clones and put those second generation clones through the vegetative process instead.

During the flowering phase, you will determine the most impressive individual plants.

Six categories to consider when choosing a mother plant

.Strength: You need a healthy and robust mother plant that will produce numerous generations of vigorous clones. Check out your plants to see which ones stand out. Remember that wide stems bode well for a worthy plant. Aroma: Unfortunately, you can’t taste your plants just yet, but smell is an excellent indicator of the end product. Yield: Don’t fall into the trap of assuming that a significant yield means a healthy harvest and vice versa. However, if you’re obsessed with making substantial returns, it’s clear that this is an important area to focus on. Aesthetics: There are several attractive marijuana strains. If you choose one that is known for its good looks, you can decide if you want to clone more of them. Potency: Aroma is probably the best indicator of potency at this stage. Phenotypes: If you have done extensive research, you will know the phenotype you are looking for. If you know that a marijuana strain has a tall phenotype and a short phenotype, you’ll spot it early.

Hopefully you can reject unsuitable clones before the end of flowering. You will only know if you made the right choice after the marijuana has been harvested, dried, cured and tasted. Cloning is a numbers game; The more individuals you plant, the more likely you are to find a top-notch mother plant.

A seven-step overview of how to choose your mother plant

Germinate and grow as many seeds as possible to get a high quality specimen. It is best to wait for the plants to reveal their sex during vegetative growth. Remove males and take a few clones from each female plant. Let the clones reach the flowering stage and make sure the original plants stay in vegetative growth. If clones grow too large to handle when the original plants flower, replace them with clones of themselves. When these new plants flower and are harvested, look for traits like flavor, yield, aroma, growth pattern, and bud structure. After the original crop has dried and cured, select the most desirable individual. Now it is a matter of finding the clone that comes closest to this person. Remove the other clones, although you have the option of making them bloom anyway. Your chosen clone is the mother plant, which means you don’t have to flower it.

Protection of your mother plants

Your chosen mother plant is still in the early stages. So if you’ve taken more than one generation of clones while waiting for flowering, don’t take cuttings from her until she’s grown for at least three weeks. If you need high clone volume, take multiple clones from the mother plant. Then breed them further to create multiple mothers that will be genetically identical.

Sie können Ihre Mutterpflanze schützen, indem Sie sie in einer organischen Basis keimen und wachsen lassen. Dies ermöglicht es ihr, Immunität gegen bestimmte Krankheiten zu erlangen, anstatt zu versuchen, sie mit nicht-organischen Nährstoffen und Nährmitteln zu schützen.

Verwenden Sie die ursprüngliche Pflanze aus Samen als Mutterpflanze, anstatt den allerersten Klon zu wählen, den sie erstellt hat. Aus Samen gezogene Pflanzen haben tiefere und stärkere Pfahlwurzeln sowie ein besseres Immunsystem als Klone. Später dürfen Sie spezifische Nährstoffe für Mutterpflanzen verwenden, die robuste Klone liefern. Sie können sie jetzt sicher aufbewahren, selbst wenn Klone ständig beschnitten werden.

Die Klone, die Sie verwenden, müssen von Mutterpflanzen mit starken Zellwänden und einem hohen Gehalt an Kohlenhydraten stammen. Zu viel Stickstoff verursacht Hochgeschwindigkeitswachstum, was zu Pflanzen mit geringer Kohlenhydratdichte und dünnen Zellwänden führt. Es ist eine bessere Option, kalziumreiche Nährstoffe zu verwenden, da sie das Zellwandwachstum und die Kohlenhydratdichte unterstützen. Das von Klonen gespeicherte Wasser enthält diese Kohlenhydrate und wird von der Pflanze zur Bildung von Wurzeln verwendet.

Wie man Cannabis-Mütter konserviert

Es ist eine Herausforderung, ein Maß für die Langlebigkeit anzubieten, obwohl wir von Mutterpflanzen gehört haben, die nach 20 Jahren noch produzieren! Wenn Sie sie mit den richtigen Nährstoffen und Licht versorgen, wird sie zweifellos jahrelang halten. Das heißt, solange sie frei von Krankheiten und Schädlingen gehalten wird.

Die meisten Züchter ziehen es vor, ihre Mutterpflanzen alle zwei Jahre auszutauschen.

Der Grund dafür ist, dass sie im Laufe der Zeit tendenziell einen geringeren Ertrag liefern. Behalte in diesem Fall einen ihrer Klone. Lassen Sie es die vegetative Phase fortsetzen, bis es als Ersatz dienen kann. Auch hier ist die Genetik identisch, sodass Sie sich keine Gedanken über unterschiedliche Geschmacksrichtungen, Anbautechniken oder Ertragsgrößen machen müssen. Was die Mutterpflanze angeht, kannst Du sie wegwerfen oder ihr erlauben, das Blütestadium zu erreichen.

Es scheint wahrscheinlich, als ob der Klonprozess kompliziert ist. In Wirklichkeit ist es jedoch viel weniger Arbeit, als Sie vielleicht denken. Sobald Sie die richtige Mutterpflanze ausgewählt haben, ist das Erstellen von Klonen ein relativ einfacher Vorgang. Wenn Sie es richtig machen, erhalten Sie am Ende eine fast unbegrenzte Anzahl von Marihuana-Pflanzen. Das bedeutet einen enormen Ertrag pro Jahr.

Probieren Sie es aus und lassen Sie uns wissen, wie es Ihnen geht!

AUSWAHL DER REDAKTION – Homegrown CannabisCo Homegrown CannabisCo sind die Meister, wenn es um Samen geht. Mit einer riesigen Auswahl an Cannabissamen, die gut kategorisiert sind, schafft dieses Unternehmen nicht nur eine Ressource für Optionen von hervorragender Qualität, einschließlich feminisierter Samen, sondern bietet auch umfassende Anbauinformationen für diejenigen, die auf ihrem Weg nach Unterstützung suchen. Besuchen Sie die offizielle Website

Growing and caring for a mother plant is a whole world unto itself. Many growers steer clear of this process as it can take a lot of time and even more space if you want to be as thorough as possible. Mother plants are essentially cannabis plants that are constantly kept in the vegetative phase in order to obtain clones, which are plants that grow identically to their main mother plant.

Of course, this process requires indoor cultivation and a space and lighting system dedicated specifically to your mother plant. This is already enough to turn many growers off the idea, as not everyone has access to two different rooms to tend mother plants and then grow the clones.

The benefits of mother plants

However, there are many advantages to having your own mother plant, one of which is that you will never run out of cannabis; You can schedule it so that when your clones are ready to harvest, your mother plant will be ready to produce more clones. Plus, you can get incredibly balanced results from your favorite strain without altering its effects or aroma in any way.

You no longer have to spend extra money on seeds because you no longer need a single seed. You can select your favorite plant with the best possible terpene content, aroma, and exactly the effect you are looking for. Of course, this process will take quite a long time if you want to choose the absolutely perfect plant to clone. So where to start?

Step 1: Find a variety for your mother plant, grow the seeds

The first thing to do is to think of your favorite strain, one that you have tried that is close or identical to what you were looking for. Many people prefer to look for a high yielding strain, while others are looking for a specific flavor, others prefer form, others might want strains that can handle cold or fungi… There is a whole world of strains, effects, tastes and properties , so be wise in the choices you make.

Now it’s important to find the best specific version of the plant you’ve chosen. I think around 20 plants should be enough to find an exceptional one, maybe even 10; 5 can be tricky and you need luck to find the perfect phenotype. Keep in mind that this is a whole process in itself and it will take at least 5 to 6 months just to find the perfect mother plant.

Step 2: Cloning the plants and flowering the seeds

Grow them like any other plant. After 18 hours of light for about a month and a half, you can start taking your cuttings. You have to wait until they get pretty big; If you clone when the plants are too small, you may later lose the entire plant due to rot. Get about four cuttings from each plant if you can.

Once your clones are ready to go, rooted and guaranteed viable, you can move them to a grow area where they can also be placed under 18 hours of light and then start flowering your original seeds. Keep your clones alive while your plants bloom and you’ll see which one is the closest to the one you want.

Step 3: Test your clones

This is the best part of the process; Try all the plants that have flowered and been harvested. Call up some friends and get their opinions while you’re at it! Then you can choose the one that is closest to what you are looking for. Usually you will end up with 3 or 4 that you really like.

Once that process is complete, we’re happy to give them a little test for fungi and so on. I take a clone of each plant I’ve picked, then take them outside and run them on fungi like Oidium. I leave them there for twenty days to see if the plants get infected or not. If you end up with a plant that has no fungi, then that’s a winner; If it wasn’t forcibly infected, it won’t happen accidentally. This is a great way to tell if plants are fragile or not. I’ve already discovered a few virtually immune strains using this method.

Step 4: Grow Your Mother Plant Step 4: Grow Your Mother Plant

Now that you’ve found the perfect strain and phenotype, it’s time to grow your mother plant. Remember that having a rot and fungus resistant plant is really very useful as one day they might be caught and all that hard work might have been for nothing. Also, if you decide to give away the rest of the clones, make sure you don’t end up giving a plant with fungi to another grower, as it could be disastrous to his or her crops.

Grab your chosen clone or clones and prune them, which is essentially pruning the top of the plant. Once they outgrow their branches, you only need to snip the tips of the branches once and leave two more sprouts underneath wherever you prune to ensure two more branches can grow where you cut. It is better to give the plant the desired shape before getting the clones. Once your plants are ready to be pruned again, you’ll need to prune the top leaves rather than the bottom to help the plant grow wider at the top. If you keep growing the plant this way, you will end up with about 40 calyxes pointing upwards, making nice and straight clones that make everything more comfortable.

It obviously requires some effort, but once done it is extremely rewarding and you can get an incredible amount of yield from endless clones. Remember that mother plants need to be kept in their own space with a constant vegetation lighting schedule.

Step 5: Caring for Your New Mother Plant

Now that you have your precious mother plant ready, you need to nurture and keep her alive. Growth fertilizers are definitely not enough; There are certain nutrients that mother plants need that these types of fertilizers just don’t have, so you need to add a few more things to your plant’s diet. It can be hard to get the hang of it. I recently discovered power feeding for mother plants. Available in powder form, this fertilizer contains macro and micro nutrients that will keep your plant extremely healthy; specially developed for mother plants.

If you notice that your plant suddenly stops growing, it is because it has filled the flower pot with roots and needs to be transplanted; You have to constantly transplant her to a certain point where she stops growing at around 20L. At this stage you will need to cut back the roots and plant back into an 11 liter pot leaving enough roots to fill a 7 liter pot for her to continue growing. The plant will look sad for a few days, but by the third day it should be happy again. You need to do this about every 5 months.

It is extremely important to adjust the pH level in your irrigation water depending on how long the plant will stay in the same flowerpot. If you keep an eye on it, you shouldn’t have any problems with diet and whatnot.

This topic is quite extensive and frankly just touched on, but it will give you an idea of ​​how to choose the right strain, clone and then take care of the plant as best as possible to keep getting clones. We will write a more detailed article on this topic in the future, but I think this is a good information base for those who are just starting out.

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What is a mother plant?

A mother plant helps ensure your long-term growth goals. But what exactly is a mother plant? And how to deal with it?

A mother plant is a plant from which cuttings are taken. A cutting is a (side) branch with some leaves on it that you cut off from the mother plant. Cuttings help you grow the next generation of plants. It is important that your mother plant is of high quality as cuttings carry the same genes as their mother plant.

Care

A mother plant is constantly kept in its growth phase. Stems and leaves keep growing. Therefore, taking good care of your mother plant is very important. This way your cuttings will also be of the highest quality. Cutting cuttings takes a lot of energy from your mother plant. Because of this, you might consider turning a cutting into a new mother plant. This way you can keep your plants alive for many years. That way you spend less on new plants or cuttings.

prevent stress

To get the best quality mother plants, it is important that they are not suffering from stress or disease. Because of this, you should always make sure to get rid of leaf litter quickly. Also, always work with clean material. You can use pure alcohol to clean your tools. A sharp (razor) blade is ideal for cutting cuttings. Change your knife regularly so that you don’t transmit diseases while cutting. Is your system suffering from stress? Use Sugar Royal! The amino acids in this product help your plant recover from stress.

nutrition

Make sure your mother plants always get enough nutrients. This is especially important as mother plants are constantly kept in the growth phase. The right nutrients will help them grow optimally and develop lots of branching. In addition to a basic nutrient, you can also give your plant additives. For example, you can use Vita Start for faster growth and Fish Force for better resilience in your mother plant. Would you like to know which (basic) nutrient suits your plants best? Use our product selector!

1. It produces good quality curls.

2. Only plants whose history and quality are known for certain should be cultivated as mother plants for the production of slips and buds.

mother plants and clones

Making clones or cuttings is an excellent way of plant propagation. Any plant can be cloned, regardless of age or growth stage. A clone is an exact genetic copy of the mother plant. Each cell of the mother plant carries a DNA blueprint of itself.

A female plant reproduces 100% female all like the mother. Keep mother plants in the vegetative stage for a consistent source of clones. Start new mums from seeds every year. Mother plants should get 18 hours of light per day. Give mothers less nitrogen to encourage rooting in clones.

Take clones from mother plants that are at least two months old and in the vegetative growth phase.

Clones from mother plants less than two months old can develop unevenly and grow slowly.

Clones taken from flowering plants root quickly but require several weeks to return to vegetative growth. These clones can flower prematurely and are more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Clones from lower branches of the mother plant are the easiest to root because they contain more of the right hormones.

Using a sharp blade, make a 45-degree cut across the firm and healthy branches two to four inches long. Cut off 2-3 pairs of leaves and growth nodes that reach below the soil line, leaving at least 2 pairs of leaves above intact. Using a sharp blade, split 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the stem at the bottom of the clone to have more surface area for roots to grow. Immediately place the cut ends in water until ready to plant the freshly cut clones. Dip the clone stems in a rooting gel or liquid hormone and place it in the new growing medium.

Grow the new clones with any G8LED C-Series grow light for 18 hours a day. The C2 and C3 lights are great for propagating clones. The lights can be up to 12-18 inches from the top of the cloned tips.

Cloning is traumatic for plants as they undergo an incredible transformation as they go from a severed top to a rooted plant. The chemistry of the plant changes as the stem that grew leaves must now root to survive. The growing medium must drain well to avoid waterlogging. These new clones will be the next generation of your indoor plants.

To maintain a perpetual garden cycle, indoor gardeners must master the cloning process. One of the most important but often overlooked parts of the cloning process is maintaining a healthy mother plant. After all, the clones taken from a mother plant are not only genetic duplicates, but are most likely harboring any pathogens or pests infesting the mother plant when the cuttings are taken. In order for a grower to get a full batch of healthy clones, they must have a healthy mother plant. Ideally, a mother plant has its own area to create an optimal sub-climate. She also needs a slightly different nutritional regime than the other plants in an indoor garden. Gardeners who take the time to set up a mother plant area properly and provide the appropriate care will be rewarded with generation after generation of fresh stock.

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Selection of the mother plant

There are a variety of reasons why a particular plant is chosen as a mother plant. First and foremost it is its genetic profile. In other words, breeders generally try to clone a plant with desirable traits or genetics. This is somewhat subjective as different growers may have different preferences when it comes to the smell or taste of a particular plant species. Another trait often sought after by indoor gardeners is vitality and the ability to thrive in an indoor environment. Put another way, mother plants are usually selected from strains that perform extremely well in the breeder’s specific grow space. In many cases, breeders choose multiple candidates for a mother plant. They clone each and allow the plants to evolve through their life cycle. Depending on the performance of each plant, breeders can then determine which plants are good to keep as mothers. Plants showing signs of defects, mildew, pests, or other undesirable issues should be avoided entirely or at least nursed back to health before using them as mother plants.

Specific area for the mother plants

Mother plants do not require a large area; However, it is important to create an area where the plants can be comfortably accommodated and the atmospheric conditions can be easily controlled. Many growers build dedicated mother plant rooms or use a small grow tent to house the mother plants. A closet or large closet space can also be converted into a mother plant growth chamber. The ideal temperature range for a mother plant is around 70-80°F. Ideally, the operating temperature does not vary more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit between the lights-on period and the lights-off period. Humidity is another important consideration. Maintaining consistent moisture levels can do wonders for a mother plant’s overall health. It also reduces the clones’ transitional stress when they are brought into the cloning area and while they are waiting for roots to develop. The ideal moisture range for a mother plant is 60-65 percent. A small humidifier may need to be installed around the mother plant area to keep this humidity level constant.

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planter

In most cases, large potted containers (10-15 gallons) are good mother plant storage containers. This allows mother plants to grow quite tall without being tied to roots. There is no written rule for the planters, and some growers prefer to use smaller vessels and rotate mother plants more frequently. In general, larger planters facilitate plant health over a longer period of time.

Lighting for the mother plants

Mother plants are basically kept in a perpetual state of vegetative growth. Therefore, a good full-spectrum lighting system with a reasonable amount of blue light works best for mother plants. Most growers opt for a metal halide or fluorescent lighting system as both technologies contain a good amount of blue light. Light quality is also an important aspect. It is more important to provide a full spectrum light than a very intense light. The goal is to maintain health, not allow the mother plants to grow vigorously.

The light period for mother plants should be 18-24 hours of light. I personally recommend 18 hours of light with 6 hours of darkness. I believe all biological life benefits from rest and plants are no different. However, if growers are having a harder time maintaining ideal temperature and humidity ranges when the lights are turned off, it may be better to use a 24-hour light cycle. Put simply, if atmospheric conditions are more consistent when using a 24 hour light cycle, that should take precedence rather than giving plants a dark cycle to rest.

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Nutrition for the mother plants

Some growers think that mother plants simply need a good vegetative fertiliser. Vegetative fertilizers usually contain high levels of nitrogen to encourage accelerated growth. This is great in the veg phase, but is not ideal for maintaining mother plant health over long periods of time. Again, the goal of mother plant cultivation is to encourage the healthiest possible growth, not the fastest growth possible. Healthy growth starts with using the highest quality potting soil. When the organic matter in the soil is depleted, growers can supplement with a liquid fertilizer. A good rule of thumb is to use a diluted mix of vegetative and flowering fertilizers. A mix of quarter strength vegetative feed and quarter strength bloom feed can be a great mother plant feed regimen. For mother plants kept in hydroponic solutions, a good rule of thumb is to balance nitrogen and potassium in a 1:1 ratio. A 1:1:1 ratio N-P-K is a great general nutrient solution for mother plants in a hydroponic system. In many cases, the calcium contained in the base nutrient may not be sufficient to support continued healthy cell development in mother plants. So it’s always a good idea to use a special calcium supplement for mother plants.

In addition to the basic nutrients and calcium, it is advisable to supplement the nutritional program of the mother plants with enzymes, micronutrients and trace elements. All of these supplements, when used in addition to a base fertilizer, help maintain overall health. Many growers also use some sort of foliar application program for general health. A fulvic acid or seaweed extract can be used as a foliar spray to promote healthy development. It’s important to remember that all grow spaces and plants are slightly different. All growers should experiment a little to develop their own specific fertilization schedule to maintain the health of their mother plants.

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Pruning and trimming

To keep mother plants healthy and under control, indoor gardeners need to do some trimming or pruning. In many ways, keeping mother plants is similar to owning large bonsai plants or a hedge. Topping and trimming mother plants not only keeps them healthy, but also automatically propagates the new growth shoots that can later be taken as clones. Most growers trim or prune the branches just above a knot space. Where a shoot is removed, two new shoots will emerge from the knot. Of course, the cloning process automatically prunes mother plants. That’s not to say, however, that mother plants should only be pruned when clones are being taken. Pruning or trimming can be a regular activity and is a fun way for growers to shape the mother plants.

prepare clones

After setting up a mother plant area and taking proper care of the mother plants, growers are ready to take the clones. However, there are a few steps you can take to prepare your mother plants for the cloning process. The first thing growers should do is closely inspect mother plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies or damage from pests. A magnifying glass or pocket microscope are great tools for close examination. After the mother plants have passed the inspection, they can be placed in complete darkness for 12-24 hours before taking the cuttings. Plants create and store sugars during the process of photosynthesis. The idea is to take the clones when they contain the highest amount of these stored sugars, which would be during the plants dormant or dark cycle.

Cloning mother plants allows gardeners to replicate the best genetics in their garden over and over again. By adjusting lighting, humidity, and temperature to provide mother plants with the right environment, gardeners can rest assured that they have a healthy stock to clone. While keeping mother plants healthy is easy for those with a green thumb, there are little tricks of the trade that will improve the cloning process. For example, developing a specific feeding schedule for mother plants can go a long way in maintaining their health over time. The way growers shape, trim, or prune their mother plants can also contribute to the efficiency of the cloning process. At the end of the day, it’s the gardeners who love their mother plants the most that will be rewarded with better chances of cloning success.

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Cannabis mother plants are an internal source of constant clones that ultimately preserve the genetics of a favorite strain. Growers with the time and space will benefit from keeping a mother plant to keep growing costs down, protect a lineage and maintain a never-ending supply of clones.

A healthy mother plant guarantees healthy and vigorous cuttings. Special lighting, nutrients, and indoor conditions are required to support a mother plant.

While mother plant care isn’t for every grower (particularly because of the extra space it requires), many cannabis growers rely on a mother plant to provide their year-round harvests. Should you keep a mother plant? If so, what are the Coles Notes for caring for one?

What is a cannabis mother plant?

A mother plant is a female cannabis plant that is kept primarily for continued clone production. She is maintained in a static vegetative state under a strict lighting schedule.

Mother plants are photoperiodic but get stuck in the veg phase due to exposure to more light than darkness over a 24 hour period. Typical maternal schedules range from a 14:10 schedule for less vigorous green growth to a 18:6 schedule for a more consistent supply of new growth and therefore cloning.

All clones purchased through a dealer come from mother plants. Clone suppliers take cuttings from female mother plants, which they then root and sell them as clones to growers like you. Because it takes time, resources, and effort to obtain a mother and propagate clones, retailers can charge a hefty penny for this service. You can save upfront costs by keeping one of your own plants in a true mother-vegetative stage, but remember that extra commitment is required.

Moms need a designated indoor grow space. That usually means a grow tent that reduces the risk of light leaks and stunted growth. Through careful application of low-stress training, Sea of ​​Green, SCROG, and other pruning and training techniques, you can keep the mother plant as small or as large as required for your cloning needs.

Remember, the bigger the plant, the more clones you can harvest. A typical mother plant is happy in a 2.5 x 2.5 foot space, but this is flexible.

While it is possible to keep a mother plant going for several years and harvest clones for dozens of new grows, the older the plant gets, the lower its capacity becomes. Take careful notes and photos of each successive growth to watch for signs of stress and aging. Eventually you want to turn one of the clones into a new mother to break away from the original.

Cuttings taken from cannabis mothers with the intention of cloning rely on specific nutrients and carbohydrates to fuel root development. Remember that the ability to grow strong roots comes from a healthy mother. You need the right balance of nutrients to promote strong roots and vigor, but not leggy.

How to care for a mother plant

There are several important steps to keeping a mother: genetics, lighting schedule, light spectrum, specific nutrients, and space considerations. With these considerations, conceiving a mother is a piece of cake.

Start with desirable genetics

When choosing a plant to turn into a mother, it’s important to experiment. Grow multiple plants from seed through veg, then clone those that show promise. Leave the original in the veg stage and let the clones grow to flowering. Keep careful notes on growth patterns, disease resistance and bud development. Choose the best candidate to turn his vegetative cousin into a mother.

Stick to a vegetative light schedule and spectrum

Cannabis plants respond strongly to light spectrum and schedule. Natural changes in schedule and spectrum tell the plant that winter is coming and it’s time to focus on flowering. To maintain a mother plant, you need to provide more light than darkness on a 24-hour schedule. That means somewhere between a 14:10 and an 18:6 schedule. They also need a plant-friendly light spectrum that’s stronger on the blue end.

Use nut-specific nutrients

Pure plant nutrients are not enough. You need to provide mother-specific nutrients to keep your new clone factory running. Look for brands with specially formulated nutrients or even nitrogen-to-potassium splits with added calcium. Too much potassium can lead to nutrient deficiencies, and too much nitrogen encourages poor, leggy new growth (which is unsuitable for clones). The added calcium provides strong stems, branches, and structure valuable for clone cuttings.

Space and potting considerations

To provide for a mother, you need a designated indoor space. She may not live in the same space that you follow a flowering schedule, and she may even have a slightly different growth schedule than your veg stage production plants. A small grow tent with its own light program is ideal.

As mums grow for years, they tend to become attached to roots. Watch your mother closely for signs of nutrient deficiencies, especially as she gets older. Don’t be afraid to carefully cut back roots to preserve the nut. Cloth pots are useful for reducing the risk of your mom becoming root bound over time.

Get a healthy mother for healthy clones

When time and space allow, it pays to grow a mother plant. An internal clone source gives you the ability to stay on a tight schedule for endless harvests. Plus, when you’ve stumbled upon perfect genetics, it means you’ll keep them going for years to come.

Keeping a healthy mother for healthy clones and cuttings is just as easy as knowing how to veg. However, they need a special place for the mother, a strict schedule for lighting the vegetables and suitable nutrients. Stick to the formula and you’ll have a continuous factory of clones for years to come.

1. It produces good quality curls.

2. Only plants whose history and quality are known for certain should be cultivated as mother plants for the production of slips and buds.