I am doing some experiments with clones (from a Cream & Cheese PhotoPeriod from Seedsman) and also planting some seeds (1 Cream & Cheese and 3 Alaskan Purple Feminized Autos all from Seedsman)
For clones and seeds has anyone used perlite or vermiculite or some combination? Any tips? How soaked to get it before putting branch or seed in?
For cloning on the cheap, I’ve read you can use 2 liter coke bottles as a humidity dome. Can you use a gallon milk jug (shown in picture). Or any other humidity dome ideas? I’ve also read a heat mat is useful for clones and seeds. Can you use a regular heating pad that’s used for sore muscles, etc.
I did use cloning powder. Any other tips? Amount of light? How humid?
My only other experience was simply putting a cutting in FoxFarm soil with a homemade rooting compound (honey, cinnamon) . I then simply put it outside (50-60F in southern california).
Thanks!
I could be wrong but I think the heating pad will cook them. Get a germination mat and temp controller for it.
I’ve never used an opaque humidity dome but have used 2L bottles, the disposable cake covers and pans from the Walmart bakery have served double duty here many times.
Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, I think my cheapness is getting the better of me again. Germination mat with temp controller seems the way to go. If you have any recommendations, please send them my way. Preferably cheap :).
I’ll have to ask neighbors for 2 liter bottles. You’re right that milk bottles are more opaque. Your mention cake covers got me scrounging around the garage. I came up with a tub that is pretty clear that was used to store clothes. Sort of big and maybe not as clear as coke bottle but getting there?
That would probably work . . . neither clones or seedlings need a lot of light at first but keep an eye on seedlings for stretching.
A lot of heat mats out there, I use a Hydrofarm germination mat and a BN-Link controller. Around $15 for the controller and I think the mat was about the same, maybe a bit more, that’s been a couple of years back thought.
Thanks! I didn’t find the hydrofarm mats, but I did find a combo mat and controller by BN-Link. $30 total
BN-LINK Durable Seedling Heat Mat Heating Pad 10" x 20.75" with Digital Thermostat Controller Combo Set Waterproof for Indoor Seed Starting and Plant Germination (amazon.com)
If you have a sec, let me know what you think of this one. Like I said, I want (need) to go cheap).
And what temperature range should I aim for?
Again, thank you very much!
Looks like the thermostat I use . . . set it to 78° F and you should be good to grow.
Got it and set it up! I put the mat over a shop towel and put another shop towel over the mat itself. The only thing I couldn’t easily figure out is where to put the temperature probe. It has that little suction cup device on it. I couldn’t get that to stick to mat. I ended up just laying the probe between the bottom shop towel and the mat. Hopefully the difference in temperature between the bottom and top of the mat can’t be much! Now I just need these clones to catch and the seeds to sprout! I might actually take some more clones as these were 2 days without the heating mat. Thanks for the recommendation and help!
I think you should put the probe between the top towel and tray . . . I put the probe in the tray and under the pot or cube . . . don’t even know where the suction cup is anymore.