Making clones / Taking cuttings, easier then you think!

First and foremost keep three rules in mind.
1) Never cut from a sick plant, it wont end well.
2) Clones and cuttings, regarless of thier "cut" age or size, are actually the same age as thier parent.
3) Leave enough on the mother plant, as well as the cutting for both to move on with thier life healthily.

Whats a node?
A node is a spot on any branch that gives off new branch or leaf growth.

Whats an internode?
The stem area between two nodes on any branch or main stem is an internode "inter-node"

There are countless ways to take cuttings the 3 easiest ways are as follows
Directly into water. Directly into Soil, Directly into rockwool.

Find an idea spot on the mother plant, to take your cuttings from.
Each cutting should consist of 2 or 3 nodes, with 1 or 2 internodes.
The bottom of the plant should be about 1" long and be cut at a 45 to 35 degree angle.
This is not too important as many believe it wont work if you dont, which isnt true at all.
The reason for this is to increase cellular exposure from under the harder skin.
More exposure means more roots to begin and a faster start.
Dip your end in rooting hormone "gel or powder" and place 50-75% of the bottom into the
growing medium of your choice, if using plain water plant in a permanent medium once small roots form.

Warnings: Do not allow air bubbles to form where the roots are expected to grow.
If you  do as above, and also remove a node "leaves" and plant deeper, remember
to cover that area in root hormone as well. This gives  a sturdier plant and more rooting areas.

Use weaker lights while it prepares to root, heat will dehydrate a plant faster then it can get water at
this stage.

Confortable humidity is a must, for the same reason as using weaker lights. If you cant do this
provide a humidity dome for at LEAST 7-12 days. Remove it once in awhile to prevent
mold, fungus, insects, stemrot. "Twice per day, off for 5minutes"

Taking cuttings messes with growth hormones inside the plant, you will likely see alot more
latteral and side bushing on the mother if you clone the top of the main stem.
This can be avoided by taking cuttings from the bottom or sides.
If you are growing cannabis this side shooting is a good thing if you have the room.
Most but not all vegtables, like peas, would also benefit but tomato should be cloned from
sides.



I had a plant 5 or 6 years back that just got way too big for the area it was in, if it went to flower it would
have hit the roof, so what I had done was cut the plant down the middle, rooted the top half and flowered
two plants! Keep this in mind if a plant grows bigger then expected.
like growing a sativa in a bunch of indicas.
Cutting that sativa in half would give alot more equal sizes at harvest. But not always; check your strains.


PRO-TIP:
Using a single clone, ahead of time "remember its the same age as the parent, will also be the same sex!"
can be used to determing if a plant is male or female without having to flower all your plants
this can also prevent accidental pollination but using a small clown cupboard and culling all the males
long before they even go to flower.
Remember to keep track of what clone came from what parent. simply writing on each pot will do.
1 and 1 is a pair, 2 and 2 is another pair. "or A and A etc"


And lastly, your going to want and water with PLAIN water.
They just cant handle any food for awhile, give it 12 days, no less, even if they rooted by then.
You chance death, burns, stunting or slowing thier growth otherwise.
The organ "roots" like our stomach, is just not there to handle nutrients properly.
and although it can handle some, it cant handle most and can lock a plant uptake, ive actually
seen this.

If you have most ideas and suggestions please post them below, good stuff will get put in here!