Care Guide for Newly Arrived Cannabis Clones

Clones are delicate young plants that require specific care to thrive, especially right after they arrive. This guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions to ensure your clones recover quickly from transit stress and grow into healthy, strong plants.

1. Initial Condition of Your Clones

Upon arrival, your cannabis clones may appear slightly stressed or thirsty due to the shipping process. This is normal as clones are young plants still developing their root systems. They may exhibit some drooping or yellowing leaves, indicating that they need proper care to recover quickly. But, don't panick as they are resilient creatures --its a weed!

Immediate Steps After Arrival:

Inspect Your Clones: Carefully check your clones for any signs of damage. If you notice any issues, please take photos and fill out our Replacement Request Form. At Cloud Genetics, we are committed to ensuring you receive healthy, ready-to-grow plants. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we will assist you promptly to resolve any concerns.

• Hydrate Immediately: Give the clones a gentle watering with pH-balanced water (5.8–6.0) to help them rehydrate and reduce stress.

Note on Leaves:

Do Not Remove Healthy Leaves: The leaves of young clones are essential for absorbing moisture and nutrients while the roots are still developing. Removing them can hinder recovery and slow down growth. Only remove leaves that are severely damaged or dead.

2. Choosing the Right Pot Size and Growing Medium

For novice growers, it is best to start clones in smaller pots to help them establish their roots more efficiently. Starting in large pots, like 3 or 5-gallon containers, can make it difficult to manage moisture levels properly, potentially leading to overwatering or underwatering.

Recommended Pot Sizes:

Quart or 1-Gallon Pots: Begin with quart-sized or 1-gallon pots. This allows for better moisture control and helps the clone focus on establishing a strong root system before being transplanted into a larger pot.

Growing Medium Tips:

Moisture Management: Ensure that the growing medium (such as soil, coco coir, or a perlite mix) remains moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top layer of the medium to dry out slightly before watering again to encourage roots to expand and seek moisture.

• Root Establishment: A well-aerated medium is ideal for root growth. Consider using a mix that provides good drainage and oxygen to the roots. This will prevent root rot and other issues associated with overwatering.

3. Creating the Optimal Environment: Humidity and Temperature

Newly received clones require a high humidity environment to thrive. Without an established root system, clones absorb moisture primarily through their leaves.

Optimal Humidity Levels:

70-80% Humidity: Aim to keep the humidity levels between 70-80% for the first few weeks. This will help reduce clone stress and promote vigorous root growth.

How to Maintain Humidity:

Humidity Domes: Place a humidity dome over the clones to maintain high humidity levels. Available on Amazon HERE!

Humidifiers: Use a humidifier to regulate the humidity in the grow space, especially in dry environments.

Misting: Lightly mist the clones with water once or twice a day to maintain leaf hydration.

Tips:

• • 1) Best Time to Mist: Mist clones in the morning or early in their light cycle to ensure that water evaporates during the day and      does not linger on the leaves.
    2) Avoid Misting Late or During Peak Light Intensity: Do not mist clones late in the light cycle or before the dark period to              prevent mold and mildew growth. Also, avoid misting when lights are at their peak intensity to prevent leaf burn.
    3) Use Clean, pH-Balanced Water: Always mist with clean, pH-balanced water and ensure good airflow to help the leaves dry      quickly.

• Wet Towels or Water Trays: Increase ambient humidity by placing wet towels or shallow trays of water near the clones.

Temperature Control:

• Ideal Range: Keep the temperature in the grow space between 70-78°F (21-26°C) to prevent stress and encourage healthy growth.

4. Light Requirements for Young Cannabis Clones

Young cannabis clones require careful attention to their lighting conditions to promote healthy growth without causing stress. Unlike mature plants, clones do not need intense light levels; in fact, too much light can be detrimental.

Optimal Light Intensity:

• Low to Moderate Light Levels (300-350 µmol/m²/s): Start clones under low to moderate light intensity. High light levels can lead to stress, leaf burn, and poor root development as clones divert energy from rooting to protecting themselves from the light.

• Lux Levels for LED Grow Lights: For LED grow lights, the recommended lux levels for clones are between 5,000 and 10,000 lux. This range ensures clones receive adequate light without being exposed to excessive intensity that could cause stress.

• Recommended Light Sources: Use fluorescent lights (such as T5s) or LED grow lights with adjustable intensity settings. These types of lights provide adequate light without overwhelming the clones.

Light Duration:

• 18-24 Hours of Light: Keep clones under light for 18-24 hours a day to maintain their vegetative state and encourage growth. The 18/6 schedule (18 hours of light, 6 hours of darkness) is popular among growers as it balances growth while saving energy.

Light Distance:

• Maintain a Safe Distance: Position LED lights approximately 12-24 inches away from the clones. This prevents heat stress and potential light burn while providing enough light for healthy growth. Use a lux meter to measure the light intensity and keep it within the 5,000-10,000 lux range.

5. Watering Guidelines for Clones

Proper watering is essential for clone health. Since clones have delicate root systems, it's crucial to strike the right balance between moisture and oxygen.

Watering Tips:

• Frequency: Water when the top inch of the growing medium feels dry to the touch. This usually means watering every 2-3 days, but it can vary based on humidity and temperature.

• Avoid Overwatering: Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is detrimental to young clones.

• Hydroponic Systems: If using a hydroponic setup, ensure a constant supply of oxygenated water to the roots. This typically involves running a pump continuously or on a timer to maintain optimal moisture levels.

6. Nutrient Management for Young Clones

Clones are sensitive to nutrient levels. Overfeeding can lead to nutrient burn and other growth issues, so it's important to start with a light nutrient mix.

Nutrient Solution Recommendations:

• Light Nutrient Solution: Begin with a mild nutrient solution that is slightly higher in nitrogen (e.g., 4:2:1 NPK ratio) to support vegetative growth without overwhelming the roots.

• Gradual Increase: As the clones grow and develop more leaves and roots, gradually increase the nutrient concentration. Always observe the clones for any signs of nutrient burn, such as yellowing or browning of leaf tips.

• Beneficial Soil Consideration: If using a soil medium rich in beneficial microorganisms and organic matter, it may already contain sufficient nutrients. In such cases, avoid adding extra nutrients until the clones show signs of needing more.

7. Supplementing with Vitamins: SuperThrive

To help clones recover from transplant shock and support robust root development, consider adding a vitamin supplement like SuperThrive to your watering routine.

Usage:

• SuperThrive: Add a few drops of SuperThrive to your water or nutrient solution per gallon. This supplement helps reduce stress and encourages vigorous root development, promoting overall clone health.

By following these steps and maintaining proper moisture levels, environmental conditions, and nutrient management, you can provide an optimal environment for your cannabis clones to thrive from the moment they arrive. If you have additional questions or need more support, feel free to contact us or chat live with our experts 7 days a week from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST