Cloning Clinique pt.1!

This week's article will be a minimalist exploration of various techniques used for "cloning" or propagating "baby" cuttings obtained from a "mother" plant through vegetative reproduction.

The use of an aeroponics unit, such as one described in one of our previous articles, can make the cloning of many plants a snap or breeze, as it were, but many people prefer to use more basic methods, which can be just as effective and productive when perfected.

Many people are familiar with taking cuttings of such plants as ivy, and placing them in a cup or glass or mug or vase of water until they form roots at which time they can be transplanted to pots for growth. This practice is the basis for the mass cutting production routines practised in nurseries world-wide, except for various modifications according to circumstances.

Cuttings taken from herbaceous plants can be successfully rooted in water, moist potting soil, vermiculite, stone-wool, perlite, sand, polyurethane foam, and various other substances and combinations.

It is best to take cuttings of stems internodally (between leaf junctions) and to include at least one de-leafed node to be inserted into the rhizome (beneath the surface). Large leaves should be removed if possible, leaving smaller leaves to provide preliminary photosynthetic nourishment. Large leaves can kill cuttings when they transpire excessively and dehydrate the plant to be.

Some people insist that using a sharp knife or razor to add cuts to the part of the cutting to be inserted in the soil can speed root formation, and this could be tried to see if it effective for you.

Another technique which has proven to be effective for some plants is to place the freshly taken cuttings into a sealed plastic bag which is then put into a cool fridge over night, allowing the plants to rest and form a callus layer at the cut surface to aid in stress reduction and root propagation.

Cuttings should always be kept in subdued lighting for at least 24 hours, afterwhich they can be put under artificial lighting or in a well-lit area.

Many people use clear glass or poly. humidity domes, aquaria, or other apparatuses to seal moisture into the cuttings' environmental atmosphere. Others prefer to mist them with water regularly and still others use anti-transpirants (such as wax) to seal in moisture so the cuttings don't dry out.

Exotic rooting hormones such as gels and sprays laced with vitamins anf other mystical, magical secret ingredients are usually unnecessary and good old rooting powder will suffice, but to each their own. Fungicides may be required in unkempt, dingy surroundings, but cleanliness can usually prevent fungal infestations.

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