growing season or want to create a larger crop,
you will be covered. You can also create your own
cloning system. The DIY option offers a lot of
customization.
The parts needed for a beginner DIY cloning
system set-up include a fish tank, plant light,
aquarium aerator, tape, cups, water and rooting
hormone. The lid for the tank can be made
of glass or another solid surface. The fish tank
creates a warm, stable growing environment
for the cuttings, and the cup can be secured in
place with tape if you are growing the cuttings
hydroponically. The cup can also have a grow
medium added. In this case no tape is needed
to keep the cuttings upright.
To grow successful clones, it is essential to take
great cuttings. Make sure to select them from
healthy plants, as a cutting from a diseased or
weak plant may not grow well. You can take
several cuttings from the same plant. It’s a good
idea to cut more than you were planning on
planting and select the best ones to put in your
cloning system. The runners-up can either be
cast aside or kept as spares. To select where to
cut, it is essential to find a tip that has at least
one set of leaves, but more sets are better. Use
a sharp razor to carefully cut the first smaller
sets of leaves towards the bottom of the cutting.
These cuts should be made flush against the
stem to where you can hardly tell that they had
been there. Then, about a ¼-in. down from
where you cut the set of leaves off, you will cut
the stem at an angle in the same fashion as you
would cut a flower’s stem for a vase. Take care
to not damage the stem or your fingers during
this process. Depending on the type of cloning
system you use, the stem should be either
treated with rooting hormone and inserted
gently into the growing medium or placed into
a hydroponic system that has been treated with a
rooting hormone and nutrients.
Cloning plants to create a horde of little
mini me’s is an affordable way to
increase your garden’s production.
A cloning system is the perfect
incuba