Clone stems getting mushy....

[LittleAmsterdam]

Damping off is a result of a bacteria infection killing the clones. The bacteria multiplies quickly in a warm environment that doesn't take any precautions to kill them. Research different methods to keep your cloner sterile by adding i.e. H202 or Zone or beneficial bacteria and enzymes that eat the bad stuff.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

From Wikipedia, bold emphasis added:

Damping off is the term used for a number of different fungus-caused ailments that can kill seeds or seedlings before or after they germinate.

The term is used most often in horticulture, where seeds are specifically planted to be germinated, especially if in warm, wet conditions which speed growth but are considered conducive to fungal attacks.

Symptoms

A given seed can become infected with a fungus, often causing it to darken and soften. This can kill it before the seedling emerges, or cause the seedling to be weak, sometimes getting "wet" patches on it which decay until it falls apart.

Likewise, a seedling can be infected after it sprouts, before it leaves the ground, or even after it appears well-developed, the latter often resulting in the plant mysteriously thinning right where it touches the ground, until its stem at that point rots and it falls over.
Causes

A number of different fungi cause these problems, including:

Botrytis, also known as "grey mould".
Macrophomina phaseoli
Phytophthora
Pythium
Rhizoctonia solani
Sclerotium rolfsii
Thielaviopsis

Prevention

Damping off can be prevented in many different ways, including germination in drier conditions with better air circulation (but this slows germination), starting seedlings in sterilized soil, and/or spraying the soil with an anti-fungal known to work for this purpose, either a commercial one or a homemade solution, such as one made from chamomile tea or garlic.

**************************************************


People who go organic use earthworm teas in their cloners. I tried dipping in mycorrizae and had some luscious roots but still lost a significant number of others to the mush.

 

[Hash Zeppelin]

Evidently bleach isn't always enough. Isopropyl alcohol will do a better job of disinfecting and is better suited for fungus. I was starting to look at antifungals when I was pointed towards Dutch Master Zone. Then a little bit of time reading on the internet and I found the copper-sulphate connection. You can buy the crystals cheap. The stuff is poison so only the tiniest amounts are needed. Obviously I have more reading to do. I bet if my cloner used copper pipe instead of pvc the fungus problem would be reduced.

I use a trifecta. I start with a round of bleach or dishwasher soap and hot water then scrub. Then I do that with iso alocohol, then I do it with hydrogen peroxide.

of course never mix bleach and ammonia.

 

[gingerale]

Tyga, one problem is you are using Clonex, which is garbage. (way too low concentration, only one active ingredient.) There are many better rooting compounds on the market; I use "Dip N Grow". This stuff makes Clonex look like a fuckin joke, with how fast roots are popping out now. Also it's alcohol based which means it sterilizes the stem and unlike the gel, it doesn't stick to the stem and encourage fungal growth.

 

[Tyga]

I'm going to take out all the "infected" clones today... Just curious what's a good Water/bleach ratio? 1 tablespoon per gallon? I was thinking after this run to just mix up a solution of this and run it threw my cloner which in return would hopefully clean the pump and manifold. Or do you guy's suggest another method for cleaning/sanitizing?

 

[paladin420]

I believe 1 ml per gal. Check the links from ultra current that crusader rabbit gave you

 

[stihgnobevoli]

this is why you should have to read a grow faq before you can make that 1st post like it was on OG. too many n00bs thinking they can come to a forum get a marijuana growing recipe for huge $$$ and then get mad when they can't figure something simple and common like damping off. then get even madder when you don't explain and walk them through the solution you just gave them.

quick note about bleach since i always see people recommending way too much. bleach contains salt, and it is very caustic, you only need a little bit for the purposes you are needing it for. disinfection. 10ml per gallon or roughly 10 drops per gallon of water is enough to disinfect. and even with that small amount rinse well. if you use say 20 drops per gallon and you don't rinse well, you will be back here in a few days whining about how you just cleaned your res and now your clones are all dying or won't root.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

If you're disinfecting the cloner between runs it doesn't hurt if you dump in too much bleach. You're trying to kill every single organism in the thing after all.

 

[Tyga]

this is why you should have to read a grow faq before you can make that 1st post like it was on OG. too many n00bs thinking they can come to a forum get a marijuana growing recipe for huge $$$ and then get mad when they can't figure something simple and common like damping off. then get even madder when you don't explain and walk them through the solution you just gave them.

quick note about bleach since i always see people recommending way too much. bleach contains salt, and it is very caustic, you only need a little bit for the purposes you are needing it for. disinfection. 10ml per gallon or roughly 10 drops per gallon of water is enough to disinfect. and even with that small amount rinse well. if you use say 20 drops per gallon and you don't rinse well, you will be back here in a few days whining about how you just cleaned your res and now your clones are all dying or won't root.

Why do you come in a Cannabis infirmary section if your not here to help and bash? Keep your smart ass comment's to yourself and kick rocks. CLEARLY If I previously knew what "damping off" was and Knew why I was having a problem cloning I wouldn't be here.... would I?
I'm not asking for any sort of recipe... nor am I "A n00b trying to make $$$" Thanks though! Thanks crusader and everyone else who had positive input and helped me out. And for the others....

 

[stihgnobevoli]

really that wasn't helping lol? get your heart off your sleeve, your period might be coming on you seem a bit sensitive.

<---these green dot's 99% from the infirmary section. if you don't like it i suggest some light reading.

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=112662&highlight=growers+guide

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Tyga, you need to back off with this attitude shit. There is a reason people get tired of answering the same questions. We got over that in this thread, it just started up again and your response is an escalation. OK, with your response you just chose to escalate this situation once more.

I almost bailed on this thread because of this nonsense but chose to stay because I've recently learned stuff that I think might help other people. If you steer this thread back into a ditch (with help), don't expect any help getting it back on the road again.

 

[gingerale]

.....I mean links to 100 different cloning threads have already been posted, with all the info needed or desired. Those represent, what, 1/20th of the total number of threads on this subject? All the information is out there and readily at hand.

Stop asking stupid questions and you won't get an attitude. We're not here to do your thinking for you.

Stupid question = any question which you can answer for yourself in seconds by copying and pasting that term into a Google or forum search box.

 

[Green Supreme]

Some folks just like having their hand held lol. Good luck regardless. Peace GS

 

[MrSterling]

Someone above mentioned adding mycorrhizal fungi to their cloner. Does that work?

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Someone above mentioned adding mycorrhizal fungi to their cloner. Does that work?

The cuttings' lower stems were coated in Great White mycorrhizal powder before going into the cloner. I still had the same percentage of failures to mush. But the one's that lived had awesome roots.

From my reading on the subject, dumping the powder straight into the cloner, wasn't likely to succeed. That would be a good side-by-side experiment actually.

 

[MrSterling]

Someone above mentioned using mycorrhizal fungi in their cloner. Does that work?

 

[MrSterling]

Christ, sorry for the double posts. On a poor mobile platform. I'll clean these up in the morning when I'm on pc.

Crusader thanks for the heads up. Dipping them makes sense; dumping into the container, while being awesomely easy, does sound unlikely.

 

[LittleAmsterdam]

You have two choices while maintaining a reservoir of water; including your cloner. Either you keep it sterile to prevent pathogens or purposely add beneficial bacteria to kill the bad bacteria.

Mycorrhizae and beneficials have multiple functions besides increasing root mass.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Just found some root killer in powdered form at the corner hardware store.

################################################

Mixing copper-sulphate to treat aquarium fish infections:

From
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/Q&A/all_about_copper.html

How to mix up a Copper Solution properly:Stock solution= 21 grams of Copper Sulfate + 21 grams of Citric Acid Crystals to 1 pint of distilled water. Shake well. Use 1 drop per every gallon of aquarium water= .15ppm. Why use Citric Acid with Copper? Simple, it sequesters the solution to make it stable. Copper does not readily dissolve in water. The Citric Acid helps it to dissolve completely and prevent Copper levels from bouncing around.

What is the best concentration for cloners? Probably less.

Mixing solutions:

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/EnvSci_p018.shtml

 

[Hash Zeppelin]

Tyga, one problem is you are using Clonex, which is garbage. (way too low concentration, only one active ingredient.) There are many better rooting compounds on the market; I use "Dip N Grow". This stuff makes Clonex look like a fuckin joke, with how fast roots are popping out now. Also it's alcohol based which means it sterilizes the stem and unlike the gel, it doesn't stick to the stem and encourage fungal growth.

yes this is true. clonex gel is garbage. I just like to use plain dark old brown grow cubes, and green light rooting power. then I use the clonex brand liquid as an additive to the water i dip the cubes in.

use clean razor blade. clean off with iso or peroxide. Razor blades comes with an oil on them you have to get off.

1. cut clones at 45 degree angle.
2. scrape lightly
3. dip cube in clonex water. squeeze out excess water.
4. dip cut stem in water then in rooting powder, then place in cube.
5. put in humidity dome and spray daily. you want humidity like 90%.

make sure they are not over soaked or too dry. spay daily.