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Learn how to take cannabis cuttings from a mother plant in order to grow new plants. This process, called cloning, is a quick and easy way to create new plants without having to start from seed.
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What are cannabis cuttings?
Cannabis cuttings are clones of a mother plant, meaning they are genetically identical to the mother. Cuttings are typically taken from female plants that are in the vegetative stage of growth, though they can also be taken from males and hermaphrodites. The process of taking cuttings is relatively simple and only requires a few materials.
Cannabis cuttings can be taken from any part of the plant, but the most common parts to take them from are the stems and branches. Cuttings can be taken from the top or bottom of the plant, but it is generally recommended to take them from the bottom branches near the soil line. This is because these branches tend to be thicker and have more nodes (the areas where new leaves and branches grow), which makes them more likely to produce successful clones.
To take a cutting, use a sharp knife or pair of scissors to snip a 2-3 inch section off of the branch you want to clone. Be sure to make your cut at an angle so that there is more surface area for the cutting to root in water or soil. You can then place your cutting in water or soil (we’ll go over both methods below) and wait for it to form roots. Once your cutting has roots, it can then be transplanted into its own pot and treated like a normal cannabis plant.
Why take cannabis cuttings?
Cannabis cuttings, or clones, are identical genetic copies of the “mother” plant. When you take a cutting from a healthy, mature plant and grow it into a new plant, you will end up with an identical copy of the original. This is especially useful if you have a plant that is particularly good for certain traits (yield, THC level, CBD level, etc.), and you want to replicate those same traits in a new generation of plants.
Cannabis cuttings are also useful for “saving” a particular strain that might otherwise be lost. For example, if you have a female cannabis plant that is not producing any seeds (“hermaphrodite”), you can take a cutting from that plant and grow it into a new seedless female plant. This is how many commercial cannabis growers produce their stock of plants.
Taking cannabis cuttings is not difficult, but there are some steps you need to follow to ensure that your clone takes root and grows into a healthy adult plant. Read on to learn how to take cannabis cuttings and turn them into beautiful new plants.
How to take cannabis cuttings
Cannabis cuttings can be taken from the mother plant or from a clone. The best time to take cuttings is in the morning when the plant is full of water. You will need to cut a piece of the stem that is at least 3 inches long. Make sure to cut at a 45-degree angle so that more surface area is exposed to the rooting hormone.
Select a donor plant
Cannabis cuttings, also known as clones, are asexually reproduced offspring of a “parent” plant. Clones are an exact genetic replica of the parent and will grow, flower, and produce identical buds. For this reason, taking cuttings from top-performing plants is the best way to ensure that your new grow will be successful.
To take a cannabis cutting, you will need to select a donor plant that is healthy and has been flushed of all nutrients for at least two weeks. The ideal cutting will be taken from a branch that is 6-8 inches long and has at least two sets of leaves. Avoid taking cuttings from the very top of the plant, as these are typically more difficult to root.
Once you have selected a donor plant, use a sharp knife or pair of scissors to take a cutting about 6 inches below a set of leaves. Cut at an angle so that more surface area is exposed which will help the cutting to root more easily. Be sure to sterilize your knife or scissors before taking the cutting to prevent the spread of disease.
Cut the stem
Use a clean, sharp knife or pair of scissors to take your cuttings. Cut just below a node—this is where new leaves will sprout. You can take multiple cuttings from each mother plant. If you’re using a knife, make a 45-degree angle cut. This will give the cutting the largest possible surface area for rooting.
## Mothers with thick stems may require a saw to make a clean cut. Avoid crushing or tearing the stem, as this will make it more difficult for the cutting to root.
Prepare the cutting
Prepping your cutting is important for two reasons: you want to make sure the cutting is healthy, and you want to increase the chances that it will take root and grow into a new plant. Here are the steps you should take:
1. Pick a healthy branch from the mother plant. Look for a branch that is thick and has lots of leaves. Avoid branches that are thin, spindly, or have brown or yellow leaves.
2. Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the branch at a 45-degree angle, about 4 inches (10 cm) below a node (the point where leaves attach to the stem).
3. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting, leaving 2-4 top leaves intact. These top leaves will help the cutting produce energy while it is taking root.
4. Dip the cut end of the branch in rooting hormone powder or gel. This will help encourage root growth.
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Plant the cutting
To plant the cutting, make a small hole in the soil with your finger and insert the cut end of the stem. The cutting should be buried up to the lower leaves. Once it’s in, gently pat down the soil around it to secure it in place. You can also use a small amount of water to help settle the soil.
Now it’s time to wait! Keep an eye on your cutting and make sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. In general, it takes about 2-3 weeks for roots to form and for the cutting to develop into a new plant.
Troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble taking cannabis cuttings, you’re not alone. It’s a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem and get your cuttings to take. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common problems and how to fix them.
The cutting is not rooting
If the cannabis cutting is not rooting, there are a few things that could be happening:
-The cutting is too young and hasn’t developed enough roots yet. Give it some more time.
-The cutting is too old and the roots have died. Try taking a new cutting from the same plant.
-The environment is too cold or too hot. Make sure the humidity and temperature are within the proper range.
-The soil is too dry or too wet. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
The cutting is wilting
One of the main reasons a cutting wilts is because it’s not getting enough water. Make sure to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.
If the leaves of your cutting are wilting, it could also mean that the plant is not getting enough light. Move it to a location where it will get more light, but make sure to slowly acclimate it to the new location so that it doesn’t go into shock.
Finally, check the temperature of the room where your cutting is located. Cannabis cuttings do best in temperatures between 21-27°C (70-81°F). If it’s too cold or too hot, the leaves of your cutting will wilt.
