Q&A for How to Clone Plants

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What is the minimum age that mother plant should be before cloning?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

Age of the mother plant does not matter as long as the plant has lateral stems long enough to root. This would be at least five or six inches for most plants.

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Question

Do you leave plastic on top while the plant is in the sun?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

You should not put the plant in full sun with a plastic covering over it. This will overheat and kill the plant. Keep it in partial sun at first. After a few weeks, you can remove the plastic and gradually expose the plant to more sun.

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Question

How much root hormone do I need to clone a plant?

Community Answer

You only need enough to cover the exposed area at the bottom of the stem, right where you cut it.

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Question

With this process can I create a forest?

Community Answer

If you cloned a tree and did it many times, it's possible. Elm trees are able to naturally clone themselves so this is how they spread and make elm forests in the UK. Just be considerate of the need for genetic diversity though.

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Question

Where do I cut on the stem?

Community Answer

Cut on either side of the stem. Most people tend to prefer cutting towards the top of the stem, where it begins to increase in diameter and strength.

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Question

So the only choice is between a synthetic root tone and nothing?

Community Answer

You can make your own homemade rooting hormone by taking willow twigs (green), breaking into small pieces, placing in a pot of water, and bringing to a boil. Let it rest for 24 - 48 hours after boiling.

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Question

Is aloe an effective alternative for a rooting hormone?

Community Answer

Aloe is another effective product when trying to clone plants. However, side effects may be different to those described here.

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Question

Can I make a stem grow roots without cutting it from the tree?

Community Answer

Trees fall over and regrow. I cut the uppermost sucker branches on my pear tree, stuck them in the ground as garden stakes, and they grew roots. I accidentally broke off a tomatillo branch and replanted it deeply and it bore fruit. I planted dried out green onions from the Safeway and they've been the happiest plants in my garden for years.

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Question

Can F1 hybrid tomatoes be cloned to preserve genetic characteristics, or are there side effects?

Community Answer

No side effects. Mutations of the genetics can occur, but that is very rare.

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Question

What plant is being cloned in the example pictures of this article?

Community Answer

It looks like a Christmas cactus to me. If so, they produce really exotic looking red flowers about Christmas time, and are decent indoor plants.

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Question

Is cannabis cloned the same way as all plants?

Community Answer

Yes, pretty much the same process; however, a personal media choice for rooting clones is to follow steps outlined above and use peat pellets.

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