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How to clone cannabis

A cannabis clone is a cutting, such as a branch, that is cut off of a living marijuana plant, which will then grow into a plant itself. A clone has the same genetic makeup as the plant it was taken from, which is called the mother plant.

A typical clone is about 6 inches in length, give or take, and after cutting it off the mother plant, the clone is put into a medium such as a root cube and given a hormone to encourage root growth.

After roots develop, it is then transplanted into a pot or the ground, and it will grow like any weed plant. 

Why clone cannabis plants?

Growing weed from seeds can be complicated, and starting from clones can be a lot easier. Clones will save you time—they need time to root out, but you don’t have to germinate seeds, which will shave off a month or so of the growing process.

Clones will also save space in your garden. With seeds, you have to grow many out and sex them out to identify and get rid of the males. Also, usually some seeds don’t germinate. You’ll need extra space for all those seeds, and they might not even turn into full plants.

Taking a clone from a plant you already have is also free. You just need to invest in some supplies. Although, you can buy clones from a dispensary as well

One of the best things about clones is they are exact genetic replicas of the mother plant from which they were taken. If you have a particular marijuana plant you like, because of its appearance, smell, effects, or something else, you can take clones of it and grow it again and again.

There is some speculation that clones can degrade over time based on environment stressors and other factors, but that is open to debate.

What are cannabis clones?

Clones are just cuttings from established cannabis plants, which are called “mother plants." For beginners and experienced growers alike, growing from clones offers a variety of benefits. You have total control over the plant genetics you pick, and you don’t have to deal with the delicate seedling stage. In other words, it’s easier, faster, and more precise. Roll up your sleeves and let’s get started by taking your cuttings, rooting them, and finally transplanting your cannabis clones.

How to choose a mother plant to clone

As genetics are identical between a mother and a clone, it’s important to choose a good plant as a mother. A wilt plant, or one that doesn’t produce good buds, won’t make a good mother.

Growers usually look for these qualities in a mother plant:

Sturdy, vibrant growth

Great aromas and flavors

Big yields

Dense trichomes

Resistant to pests and mold

How to clone a cannabis plant

What do you need to clone cannabis?

Cloning cannabis is relatively easy and requires just a few key items:

Scissors (for taking cuttings off the mother plant)

Razor (for trimming up cuttings)

Rooting setup (tray/tray-cell insert/dome/root cubes/heat mat, or an auto-cloner)

Rooting hormone

Choose a rooting medium and setup

Common rooting mediums include rooting cubes, Rockwool, or other non-soil equivalents like peat or foam. Rockwool is melted rock that has been spun into a fine thread, and it has terrific airflow and moisture retention. You can find any of these cubes at most grow stores or online.

How to take a cutting from a cannabis plant

When selecting a mother plant to clone from, look for plants that are healthy, sturdy, and at least two months into the vegetative cycle. Don’t take a clone off a plant once it starts flowering.

It’s best to take cuttings off of mother plants that haven’t been fertilized for a few days. This will allow nitrogen to work its way out of the leaves. When you take cuttings, an excess of nitrogen in the leaves and stems will trick your clones into attempting to grow vegetation instead of diverting energy to rooting.

Be sure to work in a sterile environment. Use gloves and disinfect razors and scissors.

How to take a cutting:

Look for branches that are sturdy and healthy. You want at least two nodes on the final cutting, so pick a branch that is healthy and long enough. A sturdy clone will lead to a sturdy plant.

Cut the clone off the mother, cutting above the node on the mother plant. It’s OK to use scissors here; it may be hard to get a razor in the middle of the mother plant.

Then, using a razor, cut below the bottom node on the fresh cutting at a 45° angle to the branch. This will increase the surface area of the rooting surface, promoting faster growth.

Place your fresh cutting immediately into a rooting hormone. Then, put it directly into a root cube. If using an auto-cloner, put a collar around it and place it in the auto-cloner; you’ll put rooting hormone in the cloner after all cuttings have been taken.

Once done taking the cutting, remove unnecessary leaves toward the bottom and clip off the tips of the remaining fan leaves on the cutting. This supports photosynthesis, helping your clones uptake nutrients and water.

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