Can I start foiliar feeding unrooted clones

[theroadwarrior]

It seems every time I clone White Skunk the girls get extra yellow by the time they have roots. So they end up starting vegging really slowly. I would like to mix up some weak nutes to foiliar feed with instead of using plain water.

If I mix 1/4 strength(FLORA NOVA GROW) would I hurt or help the girls. Everyone usually says don't feed cuttings but two days ago they were at full strength when still attatched to the moms so I am confused.

 

[Blazned]

...

 

[LolaGal]

they will die if they are not fed, right?

I like to feed my Moms 2 days prior to cutting and dose em good with some Cal Mag plus too. Seems to help me some.

good luck.

 

[attila76]

This is a great question. I hope more experienced growers relate their experience with this.

-On the one hand you are not supposed to have nutes in the water, maybe some superthrive, hygrozym, or clonex, but no nutes, ie N-P-K.
-On the other hand, if you have to starve your clones before they get roots thats bunk.

Foliar feeding sounds like the perfect solution. Right?

 

[LolaGal]

i do it when I see the clones start to yellow, if you wait too long, they will die.

Pre-feeding helps most.

 

[theroadwarrior]

i do it when I see the clones start to yellow, if you wait too long, they will die.

Pre-feeding helps most.

I hear alot not to feed nutes to moms for a few day prior to taking clones. I never bought into that idea. I always feed right up to taking clones and still get some seriously yellowing of clones depending on the strain.

I'm going to start a 1/4 strength foilar spray on half the clones and will post my findings.

 

[LolaGal]

I think you misunderstood? YES, feed Moms before cutting!

 

[EvilTwin]

I think you misunderstood? YES, feed Moms before cutting!

Lola...this isn't current thinking. Cervantes recommends withholding feeding for clone mothers. No nitrogen limits veg growth and sugars stack up rather then getting used in new growth. So for a week before cutting clones...omit N feeding and the cuttings will have optimal stored sugars which will allow them to survive. This is especially useful for hard-to-clone strains. He even goes so far as to measure stored sugars (from clone mother leaf) with a Brix refectometer. This is from an article that was on the web months ago called Recent Innovations in Growroom Technology though the article is no longer available.

RoadWarrior: I've foliar fed cuttings that yellowed...worked OK.
ET

 

[theroadwarrior]

Lola...this isn't current thinking. Cervantes recommends withholding feeding for clone mothers. No nitrogen limits veg growth and sugars stack up rather then getting used in new growth. So for a week before cutting clones...omit N feeding and the cuttings will have optimal stored sugars which will allow them to survive. This is especially useful for hard-to-clone strains. He even goes so far as to measure stored sugars (from clone mother leaf) with a Brix refectometer. This is from an article that was on the web months ago called Recent Innovations in Growroom Technology though the article is no longer available.

RoadWarrior: I've foliar fed cuttings that yellowed...worked OK.
ET

Thanks for the input EvilTwin. Yeah thats where I first read about not feeding clone mothers before taking cuttings although it was a different article or maybe one of his books.

It makes sense but I am having real issues with this strain for some reason. Tried different mediums and no real change so I have started to foilar feed half to see if a noticeable change occurs. So far too soon to judge but not appearing to cause them to get any worse at least.

Thanks for all the help everybody.

 

[LolaGal]

I ain't gonna knock Cervantes. Just letting you know what works for me.

I have more trouble with yellowing if I don't use CalMag Plus 2 days prior to cutting.

Maybe I will try Cervantes methods, see if they hold water.

 

[dongle69]

It seems every time I clone White Skunk the girls get extra yellow by the time they have roots. I would like to mix up some weak nutes to foiliar feed with instead of using plain water.

Foliar feeding unrooted clones is OK but you shouldn't need to.
What medium are your mothers in and what medium (if any) are cloning in?
I always have the best success by keeping my mothers fed constantly in hydro.
I am then able to clone in straight coco with plain water.
A starved mom = a starved clone.
Lola has it right as calmag is important.
Also there is a saying for mothers:
Potassium for quicker roots, nitrogen for healthy shoots.
Many of the one part veg nutrients have ideal amounts of the above and work great.

 

[skeeterpeep]

i also feed mom up to the time i clone i also do not feed the clones period. BUT i do cut the tips off of all but the center top leaves. my clones dont yellow and are ready to plant after only 11 days.i cut them on the 17 of this month. and thir strong and green. am puttin in the dirt tonite. they veg fast as well, now lets see if i can get them to flower without a lockout from shitty water! oh yeah....i root them in rockwool blocks.

 

[rexamus616]

Feed the mother bloom fertiliser (flowering) a day or two before taking cuttings....

Same with cuttings, feed them a half, to quarter strength flowering fertilizer. (liquid feed or foliar)


But the cuttings should only need it when they root..... I usually look for the growing tip yellowing, or even better, just when it goes a lighter green than the older leaves. Then check for roots and feed.