More humidity for clones? I think not.

After several tests to find the best cloning environment, I would like to say that many people on here steer others wrong when it comes to the proper humidity levels for cloning. Every cloning thread I see where a newb asks what to do for better cloning results, some ass always says the higher the humidity the better. 80-90% is best. At 100%, your clones will rot away; stem, leaves, stem under the surface etc. I am a first time grower, but plan on knowing how I "like" things to be done, and how they "should" be done so my next go at it will be immaculate (although this time things are certainly looking great). Humidity levels can be too high for clones, end of story. I know this through 4 trials I had to run due to bad information.

Old school gardeners always observe the condensation on the dome used and if the water is collecting and running its to humid .. I never used a gauge and would never tell anyone to steer higher than 80 % RH ...

The advice on the internet has to be at least 99% bullshit .. But hey at least some of us speak with age and experience ..

The biggest key to successful cloning is heat control with much less emphasis on humidity. A cheap reptile heat mat under whatever the clone is in will help speed rooting if all else is equal. I clone in glasses of pure tap water with the full chloramine load in it! Change it daily but at least every other day to keep water aerated. They root then at whatever the room humidity is and that is without any heat mat (don't use them in water glass cloning).

ProfessorPotSnob said:

Old school gardeners always observe the condensation on the dome used and if the water is collecting and running its to humid .. I never used a gauge and would never tell anyone to steer higher than 80 % RH ... The advice on the internet has to be at least 99% bullshit .. But hey at least some of us speak with age and experience ..

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Yes, I've come to discover that I just need to read grow book after grow book, do experiments myself, and ignore most of the b.s. until I find it to be true. I don't have the experience yet, but I plan on getting it as quickly as possible, even if that requires crazy trials that fail lol. I'M HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE DAMN IT!

DrKingGreen said:

Yes, I've come to discover that I just need to read grow book after grow book, do experiments myself, and ignore most of the b.s. until I find it to be true. I don't have the experience yet, but I plan on getting it as quickly as possible, even if that requires crazy trials that fail lol. I'M HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE DAMN IT!

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KISS. If you find your mind meandering around some of the myths then remind yourself - KISS. Simplicity wins nearly every time when combined with common sense and a curious mind.

hotrodharley said:

The biggest key to successful cloning is heat control with much less emphasis on humidity. A cheap reptile heat mat under whatever the clone is in will help speed rooting if all else is equal. I clone in glasses of pure tap water with the full chloramine load in it! Change it daily but at least every other day to keep water aerated. They root then at whatever the room humidity is and that is without any heat mat (don't use them in water glass cloning).

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I just use ph'ed tap water, perlite, clonex, and my new humidity dome (worthless, good thing I built it myself). I'll be drilling holes in the top of that humidity dome today so it can release humidity and still retain some of the heat. I've just got my old lady's heating pad under the dome. She doesn't know yet , but I'm guessing she'll realize when it's that time of the month lol

I don't use a humidity dome at all when cloning.. I have a home made aeroponic cloner that I use with 100% success. When I first tried cloning I tried the dome but, as you said, they all wilted and died. That being said some people use different methods that necessitate the use of the dome.. I live in on the left coast, too, and I see people using riot cubes and domes on clones all the time..

So, whatever works for you !!

SoCal88 said:

I don't use a humidity dome at all when cloning.. I have a home made aeroponic cloner that I use with 100% success. When I first tried cloning I tried the dome but, as you said, they all wilted and died. That being said some people use different methods that necessitate the use of the dome.. I live in on the left coast, too, and I see people using riot cubes and domes on clones all the time.. So, whatever works for you !!

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What exactly is an aeoponic cloner? Did you find dyi instructions online to build it? Wouldn't mind giving another option a shot to see how it works out for me. Low investment cost?

I was given a cheap seedling tray with dome. It has holes up the kazoo and humidity still is a problem in it if I don't aim a fan in that direction.

I have cloned with every method possible .. Old school methods hold true and its best to know them even if you have a Turbo Kloner .. All machines are prone to failure and with a little ingenuity anyone can make a clone dome .. Deli containers for cakes and such work well and so do the Plastic covers sold with new blankets and sheets ..

One can just use a cup of water as mentioned and the water will raise the humidty enough around the glass and cut .. I put a fan on my cloner to gently raise the surrounding humidity while blowing excess moisture away from the neoprene collars ..

Shit you can clone with Ziplock bags and perlite as well .. Even Air layering will work if you apply the time

I took one of those clear bins that have the lid and the two secure snap close things on the handles, covered the clear plastic with colored duct tape, filled with 1/2 inch water, filled 4 water bottles with perlite and have holes in the bottom, then drop them in the water. It has a red lid so it keeps only the blue light going into the container (not sure if this really helps). I was keeping the lid closed with the handles snapped, but now I'm running it with the lid hanging over 2 inches on the side to let the moisture out. Definitely working better now that I did that and works way better than when I tried straight to soil (0/13 ratio), and just perlite and a little water in the bottom (1/4 ratio and hard to change water). Much cleaner and organized as well =) I'm not big on machines or purchasing things either. If I can't build it, chances are I don't need it!

hotrodharley said:

I clone in glasses of pure tap water with the full chloramine load in it! Change it daily but at least every other day to keep water aerated. They root then at whatever the room humidity is and that is without any heat mat (don't use them in water glass cloning).

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Exactly what I do. Nothing extra, no gimmicks, no worries. As soon as it starts showing roots, pop it in soil and game on. Can't remember the last time one took a crap on me.

Everyone has their own method, that works for them. I started out using an Aero Cloner, but didn't like it. I started using just dirt and some Juicy Root. Clip off plant, add a bit of gel to stem, and stick it right into a stryofoam cup of soil. It goes into the dome, and I keep them wet. I spray the roof of the dome, and clones. When it dries up, I spray again. I have never had a problem with "Too much water", and have a 100% success rate since I switched.. About a year, and 200 clones ago..

Fresh cuttings have no means to absorb water except through leaves, hence high humidity recommendations. After several days, I begin to take the cover off for a while. If they wilt, then there are not enough established roots to support the cutting...back under the dome. I failed miserably at cloning dozens of times, and finally dialed-in after a lot of patience.

I have found the most important aspect is the quality of the cutting itself as opposed to methods. Some strains take forever to establish themselves, I've waited up to a month at times to see new growth...patience is key.

Sunbiz1 said:

Fresh cuttings have no means to absorb water except through leaves, hence high humidity recommendations. After several days, I begin to take the cover off for a while. If they wilt, then there are not enough established roots to support the cutting...back under the dome. I failed miserably at cloning dozens of times, and finally dialed-in after a lot of patience.

I have found the most important aspect is the quality of the cutting itself as opposed to methods. Some strains take forever to establish themselves, I've waited up to a month at times to see new growth...patience is key.

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you would think the stomata would be closed the entire time until roots are formed in an effort to conserve water.

I definaltly keeep the humidity high by spraying and using a dome for the first few days. The humidity doesnt have to 80%-100% all the time of the time.fresh air is vital. remove the dome frequently (2x a day)for 5-10 minutes to avoid mold and rot. let them babies breath a lil.

IMO -- Clones need 100% humidity. Six years of experience here. How about you?? BigSteve.

You most certainly do not need a dome! Here's proof...4 different breeds at only 60 percent relative humidity with no air flow! I always create my mother plants like this and use low lights, no added costs until they go outside next year. People spend so much on setups just to veg plants. I've also cloned outside when the air is dry.Nature always finds a way folks..

ProfessorPotSnob said:

Old school gardeners always observe the condensation on the dome used and if the water is collecting and running its to humid .. I never used a gauge and would never tell anyone to steer higher than 80 % RH ...

The advice on the internet has to be at least 99% bullshit .. But hey at least some of us speak with age and experience ..

Click to expand...

Thank you

A low vpd is what you want. Maintain turgor pressure the whole time, you cant do that without a low vpd. Anyone that wants to learn should be using horticulture books, this plant is no different from other plants.