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You’ve rooted your clones and they’re ready for transplant. But when is the best time to transplant them into soil?
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Introduction
We often get questions about when the best time to transplant cannabis clones is. To answer this question, it’s important to first understand what clones are and how they differ from seedlings. clones are cuttings taken from a mother plant that is typically several weeks into vegetative growth. These cuttings are then rooted in a medium and grown into new plants. Seedlings, on the other hand, are started from seeds.
While clones and seedlings may look similar at first glance, there are some key differences between the two. Clones have an already established root system, while seedlings are just starting to develop roots. Clones also have a more mature vegetative growth than seedlings. For these reasons, clones typically transplant better than seedlings and generally have a higher success rate.
The best time to transplant cannabis clones is when they are 4-6 weeks old and have a well-established root system. At this stage in their growth, they will be able to better handle the stress of being transplanted and will be less likely to experience any shock or transplant related issues.
The Case for Transplanting Clones
More Rooted Clones are Better
More rooted clones are better. Transplanting when a plant is young, small, and have a well-developed root system will minimize stress, establish the plant quicker and promote growth. Stimulate new root growth by gently breaking up the root ball before transplanting.
Be sure to handle clones carefully so as not to damage the fragile roots. Try not to let the clones dry out and water them thoroughly after transplanting. Use a humidity dome to help keep the humidity high and prevent the clones from drying out.
Clones Transplanted Early Grow Quicker
Clones transplanted early, before they develop a deep taproot system, will quickly adapt to their new environment and grow rapidly. When clones are allowed to develop a deep taproot system, they will be more reluctant to transplant and will often go into shock. Clones that are transplanted after they have developed a deep taproot system will require a longer period of adjustment and may never regain their pre-transplant vigor.
When to Transplant Clones
The best time to transplant clones is when they are small. This gives them the best chance to recover quickly and avoid shock. If you wait too long, the roots will become bound and it will be more difficult for the plant to take up water and nutrients.
Before the Clone Gets Too Big
You will know it is time to transplant your clone when you see new growth at the bottom of the stem. The new growth is called “root expansion” and is ok to transplant when you see it. If you wait too long to transplant, the roots will become bound and it will be more difficult for the plant to take up water and nutrients. This can cause stunted growth or even death, so it’s important to transplanted before the plant gets too big.
When the Soil is Dry
One of the most important aspects of transplanting clones is timing. You want to make sure that the soil is dry enough that the roots will not be waterlogged, but not so dry that they will dry out. The best way to determine this is to stick your finger an inch or two into the soil. If it feels moist, it’s probably fine. If it feels dry, you may want to wait a bit longer.
How to Transplant Clones
When you are ready to transplant your clones, the first thing you need to do is to fill your pots with pre-moistened soil mix. You will also need to make sure that the clones have been properly hydrated before transplanting. After you have transplanted the clones, you need to water them lightly and keep them in a humid environment.
Prepare the New Pot
To prepare the new pot, fill it with pre-moistened potting mix or clay pellets and make a small hole in the center. You can also add a small amount of worm castings or compost to the potting mix to give the clones a nutrient boost. If you’re using a drainage tray, fill it with water and place the new pot on top.
Gently Remove the Clone from the Old Pot
Use a sterile sharp knife or razor blade to cut the clone away from the mother plant, making sure to get as much of the rootball intact as possible. You can dip the blade in peroxide beforehand to sterilize it.
Try to avoid damaging the fragile roots while transplanting.
Plant the Clone in the New Pot
Fill the new pot with moistened soil mix, then make a hole in the center with your finger. The size of the hole should be just big enough to snugly fit the clone’s roots.
Carefully take the clone out of its current container. If it’s in a plastic pot, you can gently squeeze the pot to loosen the roots. If it’s in a rockwool cube, you can dip the bottom of the cube in water for a few seconds to help release the clone.
Gently tease out any tightly bound roots, then plant the clone in the hole you made in the new pot. Fill in around the clone with soil mix, then give it a good watering.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, you should have a good understanding of when to transplant cannabis clones. As a general rule of thumb, you should transplant when the clones have at least two weeks of growth. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If the clones are root bound or if they are in danger of becoming root bound, you should transplant them as soon as possible. transplants can be done in soil or hydroponically, but it is generally easier to do in soil.
