Virgin Aerocloner problems? - Diagnosis/help please.

I took a swag of clones from two different strains a couple of weeks ago. Half went into solo cups in dry coco & sub-irrigated them with plain rainwater in trays. Just sitting on top of a freezer in my shed in ambient temperature & light conditions & all seem to be perfectly fine - I'm just being patient, as this is my normal method of taking cuts:



'Thought I'd try building a DIY aerocloner, as I've read good things about them, but reality seems to be the complete opposite (unless it's an opeartor error??).

I sprayed the lid of the container with matt black paint & then with matt white to prevent light getting to the roots. Plain old rainwater with a small dose of H2O2 every few days. They were starting to look deficient after a week, so I added a tiny pinch of high-N soluble fert's. Reservoir temperature maintained at 23C. Pump cycle is 15 minutes on/off. My research told me not to muck about with them too much.

They're in the same tent as some of their mother plants under a piss-weak Viparspectra LED at about 1m away (18/6) that has always been fine for previous cloning endeavours (their mothers [background] are also clones). Quite frankly, they look pathetic & showing absolutely NO signs of roots whatsoever. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Bugger-all!

Same mothers, same sterile collection method as the ones in coco.



I'm going to chuck them out, as they've obviously failed, but I'm wondering what the problem might be before I try another batch.

The only thing I can think-of is too much light?

Any feedback from experienced aerocloner operators that I might be missing here?

Thanks!

My suggestion is don't cycle the pump. I just did a run and went 16 for 16, roots popped in 8 days, and never shut the pump off once. Tap water (well) and a dash of Clear Rez that came with the cloner. Same results as the cloner I made 12 years ago, which my friend still has and uses with 98% success.

I've followed another's successful method on 15/15 on/off & his results were good.

Something I'm doing wrong?

I have used aerocloners for years, never tried cycling the pump though. If they are stubborn and don't root in 10-14 days I put a little cal/mag in the rez for the N value. I can't say if the light is too bright but I do clone under shop lights. I'd say just keep experimenting.

TerryTeacosy said:

I've followed another's successful method on 15/15 on/off & his results were good.

Something I'm doing wrong?

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Every grow room and environment is different, and plants act different. What worked for someone else, obviously doesn't work in your room.
2 things I would try: 1- don't cycle the pump, 2- run 1/2 as many plants and use clear Solo cups as a dome.
You've got it built, now you just have to try experimenting and figure out what works for you set up.

Too much light
Also you didn’t mention did you take fresh cuts for cloner or ones from cups?
I would like a pic of the stems if possible

The one thing I have learned with clones is that if they aren't dead, then they generally are still alive.

You haven't done anything wrong. Just remember they barely need any light and they need fresh, clean water.

Be patient. You have waited over a week. I would give them another week at least before I tossed them. Examine the base of all of them and look for the teeny tiniest little nub of white......change your water if it isn't fresh.....even in an aerocloner they can take 14+ days

I've never failed in an aerocloner using clonex. I generally have roots in 5 days.

rootforme said:

I've never failed in an aerocloner using clonex. I generally have roots in 5 days.

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That’s fine but I have never failed in plain well water
I think if I got better results I would use additives but I never found it to be the case

70's natureboy said:

I have used aerocloners for years, never tried cycling the pump though. If they are stubborn and don't root in 10-14 days I put a little cal/mag in the rez for the N value. I can't say if the light is too bright but I do clone under shop lights. I'd say just keep experimenting.

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Forgive me. Cal/Mag for N value?? That just doesn't compute.

I'm always experimenting & this is just another iteration. I'm seeking answers to a question that I've been unable to find answers-to for myself.

@Herb & Suds I definitely see faster results. You're basically insinuating rooting hormones do nothing.

rootforme said:

@Herb & Suds I definitely see faster results. You're basically insinuating rooting hormones do nothing.

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Like many additives in the marijuana industry it isn’t necessary
You can use willow branches and get the same results as packaged rooting hormones
I don’t use anything and leave the same water in my cloner for months at a time
I can’t do that with additives

I don't know what to say. I can't imagine doing anything different. I don't mind changing our my water if I'm getting roots like this in 5-6 days.

rootforme said:

I don't know what to say. I can't imagine doing anything different. I don't mind changing our my water if I'm getting roots like this in 5-6 days.

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I find it to be more strain related
I guess you get those results from all strains
Congrats
Charge your cloner any way you like I just stick with the basics my way works for me
And I’m ok expressing it
Just like you

Yeah I wasn't suggesting that you should do anything different. I'm just surprised that you add nothing.

rootforme said:

Yeah I wasn't suggesting that you should do anything different. I'm just surprised that you add nothing.

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Three days on this indica

but a particular cut of ECSD it takes 14 to 21 days to get this result
All good

Herb & Suds said:

Too much light
Also you didn’t mention did you take fresh cuts for cloner or ones from cups?
I would like a pic of the stems if possible

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All cuts were taken fresh from well-established mothers with a sterile scalpel (normal practice) at a 45 degree angle. Straight into a glass of water with a touch of H2O2, then into the cloner within 30 minutes.

Sorry, no pic's of the stems available - I've already turfed them.

I'm also thinking too much light.

TerryTeacosy said:

All cuts were taken fresh from well-established mothers with a sterile scalpel (normal practice) at a 45 degree angle. Straight into a glass of water with a touch of H2O2, then into the cloner within 30 minutes.

Sorry, no pic's of the stems available - I've already turfed them.

I'm also thinking too much light.

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The rest sounds like you did everything right
So light would be my thought as well
I only use a actual 12 watt CFL
Once roots are established I use a 4 foot double T5

MrFlatbush said:

The one thing I have learned with clones is that if they aren't dead, then they generally are still alive.

You haven't done anything wrong. Just remember they barely need any light and they need fresh, clean water.

Be patient. You have waited over a week. I would give them another week at least before I tossed them. Examine the base of all of them and look for the teeny tiniest little nub of white......change your water if it isn't fresh.....even in an aerocloner they can take 14+ days

Click to expand...

Thanks, mate. I've made a shitload of clones & mostly they've been successful, just never tried an aerocloner before now. I was expecting a better result than I got, when I thought I was doing all the right things & had my sterile collection technique down-pat.

They've already been 14+ days & showing absolutely NOTHING in the root-department. It was kinda hard to pull them all out with nothing to show for the effort & chuck them into compost this arvo, but I'm pragmatic about it. 'Just want to get some insight into what I may be missing.

Your cloner looks kinda big. If you lift the lid does water spray everywhere? They need lots of water spray.

I don't dare to add N to my cloner but cal/mag just seems safer to me. I only add it after 10 days or so on stubborn strains. Some strains root easily in 7 days. good luck and hopefully your 2nd run will work better. I used to be a fan boy of Clone King and recommend them all the time but they have recently reduced the quality so I can't recommend them anymore. They still work though, just a little cheesier.