Why do growers clone cannabis? There are several reasons and some very interesting benefits. The most important of these is to obtain a plant that has identical characteristics to the parent plant. However, some of the pitfalls of this method of propagating cannabis plants are currently being discussed. Read the article for the most important information.
What is cannabis cloning
Cannabis cloning is the asexual propagation of cannabis plants using cuttings. The parent plant produces numerous young plants that are genetically identical.
Why clone cannabis
As mentioned above, cannabis cloning produces plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. It is therefore an excellent method of reproducing the desired characteristics of the parent plant, be it the favourable biochemical profile of the plant, the effects, the smell, the interesting yield or anything else.
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Cloning has several advantages over the alternative method of propagation, i.e. from seed, so let’s take a look at them.
Benefits of cannabis cloning
Identical properties
The first big advantage is that the clone will have the same characteristics as the mother plant. In fact, if we choose a good, strong plant that meets our requirements for cloning, we can look forward to the same characteristics in the clones.
And it’s not just about stature, vibrancy, scent or other external elements. The new plants will also replicate the “internal” character, such as the profile of active substances or high productivity.
We can also count on the female cannabis plants to grow into adult plants.
Female medicinal cannabis plants have flowers full of active substances (cannabinoids, terpenes and others).
We cannot expect such a development when propagating from seed, even if we use the same variety. The conditions in which the plant is grown, from weather to watering to fertilisation, will have a great influence on the resulting characteristics of the plant. On the subject of female and male plants, did you know that if you grow a plant from seed, there is a 50% chance that the new plant will be male?
Speed and space
Compared to propagating plants by seed, cloning is also significantly faster (by skipping seed germination you can shorten the process by about a month). Rooting can also be accelerated by using root accelerators. Another disadvantage may be that we have to allow for a certain amount of space for germination and the fact that some seeds do not germinate at all.
What to watch out for
Cloning requires due care and attention. Cuttings of cannabis plants tend to be very fragile and susceptible to damage. They can therefore die quite easily. In this respect, seeds are more resistant.
Beware of the risk of a genetic defect in the plant, which may become apparent after several clonings in a row. There is also some speculation that clones may deteriorate over time due to environmental stressors and other factors.
Cloning has its pros and cons. If you’re interested in learning how to clone cannabis step by step, with practical tips for each stage, read this article.
