A Beginner's Guide to Cutting Cannabis Clones

Introduction

Learn how to cut cannabis clones and expand your garden with genetically identical plants. This guide will walk you through the basics of cutting clones, from selecting the right mother plant to providing optimal conditions for successful rooting. Start growing your cannabis collection with healthy, consistent clones.

Cutting a cannabis clone from a healthy mother plant

Prepare the Nutrient Solution

A common solution is Clonex Cloning Solution mixed with RO water. A strong and healthy cannabis plant will root pretty easily, so don’t worry too much about the solution.

Clean Your Scissors

Use at least 70% alcohol. A scalpel will give a cleaner cut, but sharp scissors work too. Whichever you choose, be sure to clean it before cutting your clones.

Bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol 70%, scalpel and Fiskars pruning snips for cloning

Soak the Starter Plug

Starter plugs have no nutrients, so soak them in the mild nutrient solution you just prepared. Make sure the plug is wet but not soaked. Plugs hold the right amount of air-to-water to get your plants to root easily.

Soaking a two starter plugs in a blue bucket full of Clonex Clone Solution

Cutting the Clone

Make a clone out of a branch you would prune anyway. Look for a branch with 3-4 nodes. Cut at a 45 degree angle for optimal root development.

Blue gloved hand showing the 45 degree cut he made on cutting from tomato plant

Trimming the Clones

Leave enough foliage to allow the cutting to grow roots, but not more than the cutting can sustain. Trim the top first to limit air exposure to the lower parts of the cutting.

Several small cannabis clones sitting in neoprene sleeves. The tips of many leaves have been trimmed.

Put the Clone into the Starter Plug

You may need to enlarge the holes in the starter plug. Dip the end of the clone into hormone gel. Insert the clone into the starter plug.

Conclusion

Cutting cannabis clones is an exciting way to expand your garden with identical plants. By choosing the right mother plant, making clean cuts, using rooting hormones, and creating favorable growing conditions, you’ll increase your chances of success. With practice, you’ll gain confidence and enjoy the rewards of a thriving garden filled with your favorite cannabis strains. Get ready to clone and watch your garden flourish!

Cannabis clones in a humidity dome, with white plant stake labels indicating the strain

Considering hydroponic cloning? Find out all about it in our article, “Hydroponic Clones 101: A Beginner’s Guide To Soil-Less Plant Propagation.”

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