ORGANIC CLONES IN PERLITE

[SilverSurfer_OG]

worm castings aren't pure N, that's not the issue. When you put a cut into compost, it tends to compost. A cutting is not far from being compost already, because it isn't sealed. Roots aren't like drinking straws. To get in, something has to cross a barrier. Bacteria stay outside for the most part. When something alive gets inside a root, we call that "INfection", even if it is something good like arbuscular mycorrhizae.

A cutting, on the other hand, is just like a drinking straw - open at both ends. Anything in the soil solution is gonna betaken up via capillary action.

See the difference? Your plant's roots LOVE worm castings and all the cast of characters living in them, but an open stem? not so much.

OFC Approved!

This explains why my lavender cuttings are all dead, bar 2. I made my own blend with my own compost and a soiless medium...

I will use perlite next time for sure. We cant get the napa stuff in Oz.

 

[moses wellfleet]

OFC Approved!


I will use perlite next time for sure. We cant get the napa stuff in Oz.

my problem exactly i wanna try the napa stuff but its not available here closest thing is bentonite but the outlet is 100km away!

 

[MiGHTY]

I just switched my method over from using cubes. I am hoping that the high N in sunshine N/G isn't going to screw me over. I cut it 50/50 with perlite. Now after reading this perlite and CDE seem to be the golden ticket. Do you all see any benefit in cutting the CDE with perlite or vice versa? Thanks

 

[moses wellfleet]

Great thread.

thanx mate... i read your thread too, i have to agree with the chlorine theory i always use tapwater that has chlorine in it (apparently)

my partner wanted to use RO water for the clones i said no way tapwater is working why change? only thing is i guess i cant call them organic clones now lol

 

[green planet]

thank for a brilliant post. Could you please advice on the "hardening off period" and the removal of the clones from the ploy box with out damaging roots of clones. Do you have a step by step procedure for planting out new clones. Thank you

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

I like this method and so far succesfully rooted some clones and cape gooseberry.

I transplanted the weed no worries. Some of the perlite remains attached anfd forms a nice little root ball. Most important thing is to do during dark period and make sure it gets a light watering with perhaps a little kelp or worm tea etc

 

[moses wellfleet]

I like this method and so far succesfully rooted some clones and cape gooseberry.

I transplanted the weed no worries. Some of the perlite remains attached anfd forms a nice little root ball. Most important thing is to do during dark period and make sure it gets a light watering with perhaps a little kelp or worm tea etc

there is nothing better than pulling up a cutting and a large heavy rootball emerges... i have got to the point where i can gently tug on the stems to check if they are rooted!

 

[moses wellfleet]

i have a new trick with my clones, i remove them from the perlite when the roots are still very short at about 11 days and pot them into organic soil. i put them back under plastic at 85% humidity.

i find that this cuts down veg time by a couple days as the babies get a quicker start in the soil!

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

Good advice moses. I am about ready to take clones from a mother i managed to grow out of some clones from an almost fully flowered Afghan (a very nice plant indeed)

I will be using a wee bit of kelp and aloe vera in the water.

 

[moses wellfleet]

Root Porn

Root Porn

once you get this system dialled you wont look back, long term 100% success rate will be yours

 

[hayday]

Step by step please...!

Get a container...
Fill with perlite...
add a small amount of water,1/4 volume(tap works fine)
Cover container with foil and label your species...
Poke a hole through the foil and perlite...
insert cutting...(with or without rooting powder or honey,ect)
wait 15 days...

 

[the gnome]

great thread mo, when i started indoor gro's in 2010 i got the rapid rooter plugs and never really got very good rooting numbers,
so i went back to using perlite and verm. like i did long ago and get nearly 100% now.
I use something like the hiko trays

 

[al-k-mist]

Frickin awesome, Ive heard of just perlite, but didnt know the whole scoop. I may give this a shot!
Thanks

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

Mmm yes the foil is a good idea.

I do find algae builds up on top so this would solve that issue plus keep in moisture and keep out dirt, bugs etc. Cool!

 

[moses wellfleet]

Mmm yes the foil is a good idea.

I do find algae builds up on top so this would solve that issue plus keep in moisture and keep out dirt, bugs etc. Cool!

silver surfer have you been using this method, if so how has it worked for you?

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

No i haven't and my perlite is getting all green with algae on top.

But yes i like this method, very forgiving and most of my cuttings have been rooting.

 

[Granger2]

Moses,
In the 1st 15 days do you apply additional water? How often? Thanks for the great thread. I've been nearly 100% successful using coco for rooting, but this would be easier. I'll be taking a bunch of cuttings in a coupla weeks. -granger

 

[the gnome]

hope you don't mind if a post a pic of my process mo
perlite works as good as it gets imo, cheap and easy to use too.

ive been using mix of about 50/50 perlite and vermiculite for a few years now after getting so so results with rapid rooter plugs
these were put in the 13th of feb. so a couple of weeks and i have roots pushing past the screen in the drain holes... they are all rooted 100%.
the cuts sat in water for around 10 days before they were put into the mix, so they were probably a bit old.
Ive had roots in 10 days with vigorous strains.

if i don't have room or space to deal with rooted clones i start to add fertz to the tray and i have kept cuts like this for 60 days

try perlite
it works
its easy and success rate is very hi!

 

[moses wellfleet]

yeah thanx Gnome, the perlite i have been using is very soft and becomes mushy when water is added to it which seems to benefit the rooting process.

so peeps who have better quality hard perlite may need to cut it with vermiculite to increase moisture retention.

 

[JohnWayne]

Really nice thread.

TY Moses