my clone is droopy

[arniewonka]

update on the nute deficiency... it is in an organic slow release mix. i figured it had used up all the nutes in the little starter pot.







this is the healthy top of the plant. it is growing like crazy.

 

[stinkyattic]

Ok you're good. Low leaves on new clones often start to look scruffy as the new growth is taking off. From here on in, watch the leaves that WEREN'T part of the original clone.
A hint- When I take clones, I cut the leaves down to less than 1" for 3 reasons:
-Clones do not touch under the dome, and there is nowhere for moisture to be trapped and possibly lead to rot
-Water loss thourhg leaves is decreased
-I always know which leaves came with the clone, and which are new, and I can monitor plant health looking only at the leaves WITHOUT the clipped tip.

 

[arniewonka]

so all of the leaves in place when you take the clone should be trimmed? how much do you cut them back?

 

[stinkyattic]

You don't HAVE to do it- it's personal preference- but I hack them down to 1cm stubs, just long enough to write a code on with a sharpie identifying the strain. As a matter of fact, you should be able to see it in my gallery.
Edit: That's an old pic, never mind. I do them way shorter now.

 

[arniewonka]

i see. well i will try that. how about taking clones from a flowering plant? good or bad? or should i do it right before i flower?

 

[stinkyattic]

Depends on your purpose for doing it, and your goals.
It is preferable to take clones before flowering.
But...
Clones from a plant in very early flower may in fact root faster, as the high P and change in hormone distribution aid rooting.
Do not take the primary growing tip or tips from a flowering plant, or yield will suffer as hormone distribution in the remaining plant gets all weird (yes that is the technical term for it).
Likewise, if you clone just before flowering, take lower branches, or alternately, take the primary tips and then allow 2-3 weeks' recovery time for the plant to get sorted again.

If you have the space, your best bet is to keep a perpetual mother in veg and just take clones off her so you don't have to worry about all that, or about losing the strain because the clones you made didn't strike.