Lets Build a Clone Machine *Step by Step*

[Japanfreakier]

Nice DIY.

I've never found the need to cut off the fan leafs like that in my aero-cloner. More fan leaf on the plant means more food once you transplant.

 

[slowandeasy]

Thanks for the replay. I tried Coco with rooting gel and it did not work well in my clone room. It did root some of them but not after turning yellow and half of them dieing. The perlight seemed to work better then coco but it was not the best choice for my hydro setup. Of the non-mechanical methods that I tried, my best results came with the Rapid-Rooter plugs and some gel.

Like I said "You can find loads of successful cloning techniques all over the web".

That is the downside to Cloning in Coco, there is a learning curve. Too much Gel, they will wilt. Too wet, takes a long time. Too dry, wont root. But, once you get the correct moisture level of coco and your environment is good...it works really well. By far the fastest way I have cloned. I use clear cups filled with coco and a lightproof cup on the outside...so I can see the roots progress. I get root bumps in 3 days now and roots in 6-8 days to bottom cup.

Like I said, excellent job...and if I still did hydro it would be sweet. But, since I use Coco the whole grow cloning in it is perfect. If it give you roots, thats all that counts, take care!

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

Nice DIY.

I've never found the need to cut off the fan leafs like that in my aero-cloner. More fan leaf on the plant means more food once you transplant.

I can't debate or defend my leaf trimming practice. I started doing it way back when i was trying to clone with coco and perlight (over ten years ago). It was in the tutorial and I never questioned it. I have seen others clipping, but never thought to ask why. Perhaps I should do a batch of half and half to see if it makes a differance.
Thanks, R.

 

[Japanfreakier]

With soil and other methods it's to reduce the amount of transpiration and work the plant does, or so they say. Aero you definitely don't need to do it just like not needing humidity dome.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

I knew I was not the only one doing that

 

[overbudjet]

Nice DIY

 

[FreezerBoy]

No good deed goes unpunished. I've added this to the Cloners sticky in Growrooms.

Trimming leaves is never a bad thing. Plants grow equally above and below ground. If one zone outgrows the other, it stops as the smaller zone catches up. Thus, smaller leaves require less roots before the top starts to grow again.

 

[Japanfreakier]

Trimming leaves is never a bad thing. Plants grow equally above and below ground. If one zone outgrows the other, it stops as the smaller zone catches up. Thus, smaller leaves require less roots before the top starts to grow again.

I don't buy it but maybe because I've been using my aero machine for 8 years straight and have compared side by side. See that's the problem with text book answers being passed off like the bible, many times it just doesn't hold true in the real world.

 

[Japanfreakier]

I'll go a step further, without fail, clones with more folliage at time of transplant take off growing quicker than those with less, without fail. I've also never noticed any differences in rooting times in aero-cloners when talking about the amount of leaf left on top.

 

[FreezerBoy]

8 years straight

17 for me.

Trimming leaves on cuts is never a bad thing.

 

[DankBlazer]

Awsome diy rumple. I plan on making one of these in the next few weeks. I was wondering if you run the pump on a timer or just keep it going 24/7?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

You can never turn the pump off. If the pump goes off, your clones die.

 

[Admiral Canna]

Excellent tutorial!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have built several cloners but then I finally bought an EZ Cloner.

Only thing with aero cloners is you gotta keep em real clean.....ie...giving em a lil bleach wash in between runs.

I do not trim my clones leaves and all is well. (Just throwing that in there)

Some people really wanna complicate the system by putting a timer on the pump...run it for 15 min, 5 off.......that is absolutely ridiculous!!!!!!!!!! Leave it on 24/7 like the man said.

OK, again, nice work.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

Like I said, never turn off your water pump. Having the pump shut off is the only time I have seen clones die in my setup. Not sure why folks would even try turning the pump off. The EZ Cloner, Botanicare and most other clone machines will tell you to run it 24 hours a day (http://botanicare.net/sites/default/files/CloneMachineSystemIM.pdf).

Originally Posted by Japanfreakier:
Not true. I keep my pump on a 15 min on/off timer and have never lost clones.

Japanfreakier, feel free to make a new thread with your methods. I am sure you will find a few people to agree with you, I am just not one of them.

Peace, R.

 

[VERMI]

i like this

 

[Hydro-Grower]

Cloning is:
1 part art.
1 part science.
20 parts trial and error.

If the end result is happy rooted clones...It's all good.

Nice tutorial Mr. R

 

[PeteWeedSeed]

Why is everyone arguing their own point.. which is specific to their own circumstances and situation.
The method presented is intended to be failsafe.. while some argue against the need, they are not considering, their growing area probably has a completely different atmosphere.
Some people grow in dry climates, others in very wet climates.. No one is right here... Everyones conditions and needs are different.
Stop trying to define a perfect method... there is none.. everyone has a different situation. Your only defending your own situation.. which applies only to.. you!..

 

[PeteWeedSeed]

I mean, should the pump fail.. the grower will become aware of the situation and fix it... Not that the plants are fine and growing should things go bad.

 

[Maj.Cottonmouth]

Great post RF and great timing since I have been thinking about building one of these for a while now. Awesome detail and great pics, +K

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

No good deed goes unpunished. I've added this to the Cloners sticky in Growrooms.

Trimming leaves is never a bad thing. Plants grow equally above and below ground. If one zone outgrows the other, it stops as the smaller zone catches up. Thus, smaller leaves require less roots before the top starts to grow again.

THANK YOU FreezerBoy for making this a "sticky"

I was inspired by KingRalph's DIY cloner build, so I don't mind being right below his. Without him I might be still using my store bought unit.