There are a wide variety of methods used in taking clones. There is also a wide variety of cloning products. What we have outlined here is a cloning method that has worked very well for us, using products that are readily available and inexpensive.

Taking clones works best with healthy, vigourously growing plants in the vegetative stage. Cut young growth tips with 2-3 leaves anda stem diameter of 1/5-1/10 inch. Make all cuts with a sterile razor blade. The first cut should be made at a 45 degree angle to expose the largest amount of cut surface to the rooting hormone. A second, very small, horizonal cut may be made just above the first cut. This second cut decreases the risk of an air embolism forming, which would block nutrient uptake into the clone. Another purpose of this second cut is to expose more surface to the rooting hormone.

.After cutting the clone immediately immerse the cut end of the clone into your choice of liquid rooting hormone, cloning gel or hormone powder. We have had excellant results with Hormex liquid, which is readily available and inexpensive. We have also had good results with ESU Rooting Liquid and ESU Rooting Gel. If using a rooting powder, immediately place the cut end of the clone into water for at least 1 minute. Then remove the clone and dip it into the rooting powder.

After removing the clones from the rooting hormone, place them into a rooting media. You can use rockwool cubes, Oasis media, or containers full of a 50/50 mix of perlite and vermiculite. Pre-moisten rooting media with liquid cloning mix before placing clones into the media.

When using Rockwool or Oasis Media do not jam the stem of the clone into the hole. You want to avoid having the nicely cut edge of the stem becoming damaged. If the hole provided in the Oasis media or rockwool is too big for the clone, make your own holes with a finishing nail. Make sure that the Oasis media or rockwool is tight around the stem. Push the media up against the stem if necessary.

Next place your cuttings into a propagation tray. If you are using Oasis media, pour a small amount, no more than a quarter inch, of liquid cloning mix into the bottom of the tray. Oasis cubes may be left standing in this solution. Change the solution every couple of days to ensure that there is proper aeration.

If you are using rockwool you must use an airstone and air pump if you leave solution in the tray. Otherwise the rockwool holds too much moisture, which can lead to stem rot and dead clones. If you are using rockwool and do not want to use an airstone and air pump, you should keep the rockwool fairly moist, but not dripping wet. Squeeze excess moisture out of the rockwool cube until the cube has a mottled appearence.

Cloning works best in a warm, humid environment. You must keep humidity very high for the clones. Place the tray in a warm area or use a seedling heat mat to keep temp around 72-80 degrees. A double 4" fluorescent lamp hung 6-12 inches above the clones provides the perfect amount of light. Keep the lamp on the same timing as the donor (mother) to avoid shocking the clones. Cuttings should root in 2-3 weeks. When cuttings have rooted, transplant into your hydroponic system or into soil, taking care not to disturb any exposed roots.

Liquid cloning mix
You can make you own liquid cloning food mix or use one off the shelf such as ESU Root Juice Liquid or Olivias cloning solution. Here is a formula for a quick, inexpensive liquid cloning mix.
To one gallon of water add:
1 teaspoon Hormex Liquid
1/8th teaspoon Dyna Grow Bloom formula. You can substitute any bloom formula for this, just make sure to add it to the clone mix at 1/4 the strength that is recommend on the bloom nutrient label.
Soak rooting media the clones are to placed into with this solution. Also use this solution to foliar feed your clones.