This is maybe one of
the "most asked" question. We all have our own preference;
sometimes according to application or type of plant or just plain
convenience. So we gave some different cloning products s to one
of the local enthusiasts. The following is the result of his testing.
Comparative Study of:
Softwood Cloning Comparing rooting and propagation "gel's"
(1)
"Olivia's,
Cloning Gel."
Olivia's Solutions Inc.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404 USA
(2)
"Clonex",
Rooting Hormone.
Growth Technology
Unit 1/5 Stocdale Rd., O'Connor, WA 6163
Tel: (09) 331-3091 Fax (09) 331-3186
Made in Australia
I'm known as the "Tomato
Man" at "Linda's Gardening"
With 15 years experience.
I enjoy growing all kinds of plants. Tomatoes, hot peppers and
succulents are my most favorite, however you can find most anything
that grows in my greenhouse at any given time.
In no way should this
comparison be considered "scientific". I am simply reporting
my experience with these rooting gels. I would like to point out
that I found all three gel's tested vary comparable as far as
percentages of successful clones taken.
The
purpose of this comparison:
Almost daily there are
new product on the hobby gardening market. As a consumer we most
often relay on the sales person to point us to a product that
will do the job we are looking for. Its been my experience that
some retailers carrying more than one product for the same purpose
will suggest to us the product that renders them the largest profit.
Now and then one finds a retail outlet that throws out the profit
margin and try's to place in our hands a product that will do
the job we are looking for and at the same time save us (the consumer)
money.
What
is a Clone.
An organism, or group
of organisms, derived from another organism by an asexual (non-sexual)
reproductive process. Usually the members of a clone are identical
in their inherited characteristic so that it is, in their genes
except for any difference caused by mutation.
Cloning:
Equipment used:
11" x 22" three
piece propagation tray, a "Mini Greenhouse."
11" x 22" "Rockwool"
slab, "98" count.
A small glass such as
a "shot" glass.
A very sharp pair of scissors.
Nutrient
used:
Approximately ¼
strength "Rockwool Magic" Bloom, hydroponics nutrient.
(PPM Between 300 and 400. Nutrient a PH between 6.0 and 6.2.)
Technique:
Some plants have the ability
to generate roots from the growing tips of the main plant. If,
at the proper time, the tip is placed in a suitable growing medium
good growth will continue, and a new plant will eventually become
established.
Start by selecting the
plant/plants to be cloned. I use the plant/plants that I consider
to be the healthiest when they are in their GROWTH cycle. One
can clone a plant that is in its bloom cycle, however I have found
that a greater number of successful clones come when the plants
being cloned are in its growth cycle.
Fill small glass with
rooting gel to depth of approximately the length of clones to
be taken.
Take a cutting from the
growing tip of a branch of approximately 1 to 3 inches in length.
I trim any leaf material off the clone save for one or two leafs
and the growing tip. Trim away the tips of the leaf/s left on
the clone, this stops the growth of that leaf but will not interfere
with the job the leaf dose. Cut stem to an angle of 45 degrees
and dip into rooting gel. I leave the clone in the rooting gel
for 2 to 3 min.. Then put clone into growing medium.
