Helpful Hints
Every grower has their own techniques and methods for growing cannabis from clones. Different options will work for different growers. Here are our helpful hints to help your ITF clones thrive!
Transplanting
You should take care in transplanting your cannabis clones, as any clone can be easily stressed. In most cases, it’s best to give clones a few days of acclimation before transplanting to your growing medium of choice.
The biggest factors that impact freshly transplanted clones are root disturbances, too much light or temperature fluctuations, incorrect soil composition, and watering practices (over or under watering).
When transplanting cannabis clones, gently transfer the clones into the growing media and press media firmly around the plant without being too rough on the root system. Water the clones until the medium is moist but do not drench plants at this stage. After the clones recover from transplanting (7-10 days) you can begin to introduce your nutrients.
Wilting
A number of factors can cause the wilting of cannabis clones.
Be sure to check that the temperature is in the ideal 70-80° F range. If it is too cold the photosynthetic processes of the plant are negatively impacted causing wilting after a few days. If it is too hot the clones may grow too rapidly and transpire too quickly. This creates an environment where dehydration can occur more easily leading to sick clones.
Overwatering can lead to root rot, which inhibits the plants ability to uptake water. In warm/humid environments this can also quickly lead to mold and pest issues. To avoid over or underwatering your clones be sure to check the saturation of the medium and consider misting plants.
Diseases and pests can quickly cause plants to become sick. Maintaining a clean growing environment and keeping a close eye out for changes in your plants are vital aspects of a successful grow.
Fertilizer
Throughout their life cycle, cannabis clones need three major macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K), as well as a variety of micronutrients like magnesium, calcium, sulfur, and more. Fertilizers will often use NPK format to show the ratio of these three macronutrients in their formula.
Vegetative cannabis clones will need more nitrogen in order to produce strong vegetative growth. Fertilizers with comparatively high nitrogen, such as a 3-1-1 NPK ratio, are preferable for this growth stage.
In contrast, Flowering plants will need relatively little nitrogen. Instead, potassium and phosphorus levels should be elevated to encourage vigorous flower growth. Look for a fertilizer with a 1-3-2 or 0-3-3 NPK ratio.
Start with a diluted solution, gradually increasing the strength as your clones mature. Overfeeding can be detrimental, leading to nutrient burn and other complications. Monitor your plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies or excesses, such as yellowing or curling leaves, and adjust your feeding regimen accordingly.
If you are still unsure about your nutrient solution we recommend testing your solution with a pH and E.C. meter.
PPM and E.C.
PPM represents the number of parts of a solute per one million parts of the solution, while EC measures the ability of the solution to conduct an electrical current, indicating the concentration of dissolved ions. Both measurements are crucial for monitoring nutrient levels and ensuring that plants receive the right amount of nutrition.
Accurate nutrient monitoring is vital for maintaining plant health and avoiding nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. By regularly measuring PPM and EC levels, growers can assess the nutrient concentration in the solution and make necessary adjustments to meet the specific requirements of their plants. This proactive approach enables precise nutrient delivery, promoting optimal growth, and preventing nutrient-related issues
Be sure to follow the guidelines on your nutrient packaging and remember to consider crop-specific requirements, adjust concentrations gradually, and keep detailed records to improve your nutrient management skills.
pH
pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being the most alkaline or basic. Cannabis plants prefer a slightly acidic pH in the range of 5.5 to 6.5. Outside of this optimal range, plants have a harder time absorbing nutrients. If the pH drifts too low or too high, you may notice signs of nutrient deficiencies.
The pH level impacts the availability of nutrient ions in the root zone. At lower pH levels, micronutrients like iron, boron, and copper are more available. At higher pH levels, macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are more available. Keeping the pH within the target range ensures plants can access all essential nutrients.
The ideal pH range of nutrient solutions for young cannabis clones and transplants is 5.1-5.7. pH adjusters are available on the market.
Watering
Once the clone is transplanted into its first pot, it can be watered about every 2-5 days. To determine if the clone is ready for its next watering, stick one finger an inch or two into the soil. If the soil feels dry and does not stick to your finger, the plant is ready to be watered.
If the soil feels moist at all, it is better to wait for it to dry out further before watering, even if 2-5 days have already passed. Watering before the soil has a chance to dry can cause roots to suffocate or develop fungal infections. Depending on the lights you use, the size of pots, and the temperature of your grow you could need to water more often.
Light Cycle
Light cycles are fairly straight forward for cannabis clones these days. The light cycle is important because plants need light to photosynthesize. The more light we can give them, the better they are.
Position a LED light source about 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) away from the clones and provide 18-24 hours of light per day. Be cautious not to expose your clones to direct sunlight or intense HID lights, as these can cause wilting and other damage.
When you are ready to start your cannabis plants on their flowering journey the light cycle should be switched to 12/12. This triggers the hormones in the plant to change from vegetative growth to flowering growth, in order to do this they need long periods of darkness. If you’re growing outdoors the sun takes care of this for you!
Indoor grow lights do a superb job at raising healthy and productive cannabis plants. However, they lack a key component of sunlight: ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to UV prompts cannabis to ramp up resin production as a means of protecting itself. Some growers opt to use lights that emit UVA, which in itself helps to increase secondary metabolite production. But the addition of UVB exposure, which further increases terpene and cannabinoid levels, gives outdoor plants a phytochemical edge.
Phenotypes vs. Genotypes
Two things influence the structural formation of any given cannabis plant: genetics and environment.
The plant’s genetic makeup, also called a genotype, acts as a blueprint for growth: it allows a spectrum of physical possibilities, but it is up to the environment to induce these characteristics.
The physical expression of a genotype is referred to as a phenotype, which is simply defined as the traits that the environment pulls out from the plant’s genetic code. Everything from color, shape, smell, and resin production are affected by the environment.
Therefore, two of the same clones grown in two different environments, with different grow systems, different nutrients and different grow mediums will get different looking end results. Regardless of genotype, if the plants are grown in substandard environmental conditions the full genetic potential of the plant will never be fully achieved.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
One of the best things about growing cannabis is that you can adapt the hobby to your preferences and situation. The choice between indoor and outdoor cultivation is multifaceted, hinging on individual goals, available resources, and market dynamics. Both methods have their unique strengths and challenges.
Indoor versus outdoor can affect everything from terpene levels, color, cannabinoids, trichome density and size.
The biggest pro of growing inside is being able to almost completely control the environment, while the biggest con is the expense. Growing indoors provides shelter, control, and stealth. But limited space often prevents plants from reaching their full potential.
Growing outside is almost opposite as the cost can remain low but the possibility of pests and disease is much higher. As mentioned above sunlight also provides natural UVA and UVB light which increases the potency of your cannabis.
It’s important to note that buds can be grown properly or improperly regardless of whether they were grown inside or outside, so improperly grown indoor can visually look like outdoor, while properly grown outdoor can easily look like indoor.
