Some marijuana growers apply the dipping method when applying foliar products. However, it’s not the same method with dipping clones as it is linked with the rooting system. It’s not as complicated as you may think. If you’re a novice grower and don’t have any idea about it, this article will unfold its purpose.
What is Dipping Cannabis Clones For?
Some of you may be frustrated as getting their clones to root takes a long time. It’s not exactly the fault of the Cannabis plants. To allow rooting to come sooner, you have to know the right steps to encourage growth.
Dipping clones is the answer to this predicament. It should be done twice to ensure that the roots react well to it. The first dipping with rooting gel and the second is within the rooting powder.
You have to use rooting gel first as a protection for the roots from getting clogged. Some strains react well to this and show roots quicker. Others root well with rooting powder. All in all, you will be successful in allowing your plants to root with two possible options that can please them.
Dipping Clones and the Necessary Steps
The first thing you have to pay attention to is the peat pellets that are the typical growing medium of clones. Soak them in warm water so they become bigger. Pick each of them out of the water. Squeeze the water out of them before putting them into the cloning tray.
Once the wet and warm peat pellets are situated in the tray, you can proceed to cut your marijuana clones. Then you have to fill a bucket with cold water for the new clones to hang out for some time.
Cut a large part of the mother plant with multiple bud sites and branches. Bigger branches are capable of carrying big buds too. It would only take a week or two for clones to gain multiple branches.
A razor blade can help you cut the branch at a 45-degree angle. After that, you have a new clone and it should be placed in the bucket with cold water. It absorbs the water this way which also blocks air bubbles from being locked in the stem.
Cut the fan leaves shorter if there are some on the cuttings. You need to do it so it fits into the cloning tray. It also paves the way for the fast growth of the Cannabis clone. After all the right cutting is done and soaked, it’s time for dipping clones.
Dipping should be done like what was mentioned above. Then you have to make sure that the plants snug well in the peat pellets.
The Kind of Environment for the Clones to Root and Grow Healthily
Aside from dipping clones, several factors would help them root and grow healthily. One of them is establishing the right kind of environment. It includes temperature that should be around 20 degrees Celsius and 18 hours of light.
Add a tablespoon of water to each of the pellets arranged in the tray. It is like giving a wake-up call for the rooting gel and powder. Fill your spray bottle with water that has room temperature. Then spray it to the clone, the inside of the lid, and the base of the tray. It should be done by misting.
You have to put a dome over the tray to create the needed humidity. The light that you use should be above the dome no matter what kind it is. If you’re using LED in low voltage or fluorescent lamps, place it an inch or two above the dome. When your light is too strong, you have to keep it away from the dome two or more feet apart.
Ways to Nurture Clones
Misting the clones should be done twice a day and ideally, in the morning and the evening. It’s a way of giving the plants the necessary amount of water as they don’t have roots yet. The nutrients found in leaves are also diluted so the plants would seek more of it. For the plants to get more nutrients, they should grow roots for them to capture what they need.
Here are the ways to nurture clones that would go for ten days. Follow them so rooting comes soon and you don’t have to question yourself if you’re doing good or not.
Day 1 and 2
Misting is done and vents should be closed all the time. During the first day, you mist the clones three or four times.
Day 3 and 4
It’s time to open the vents and leave them as they are. Doing it will allow moisture to dissipate. You may think it will be bad for the clones but it pushes them to develop roots.
When moisture is lacking, it dries out the pellets. It’s the day that you’ve been waiting for as there’s a sign of roots. Since the growing medium is dried up, the roots stretch to find moisture.
Day 5
Since the medium is dry, add two cups of water to the cloning tray. It shouldn’t be done directly to the clones. The roots will go downward. By doing so, it quickens the root growth and it gives way to its right formation
Day 6 and 7
The roots have grown at this point so you have to close the vent again to compress humidity. It’s a way for the plants to continue growing roots.
Day 8 and 9
Pour another two cups of water onto the tray. It’s fine to add a few growth nutrients. Close the vent and continue misting the plants twice a day.
Day 10
The clones have established roots at this point and they can adjust to the environment well. They’re ready for transplant.
Conclusion
Stabilizing a plant starts with growing the roots. To make sure you would end up successful, dipping clones in rooting and rooting powder is the trick. Then you can transplant them to their permanent habitat.