by Jorge Cervantes
Clones and Mother Plants
Making clones is the most efficient and productive means of cannabis propagation for most growers. A clone is a branch tip cut from a (female) mother marijuana plant that has been planted and has grown roots. Female clones can be induced to flower as soon as they have a strong root system and are 6-18 inches tall. A crop of clone can be harvested in about three months. When planted from seed, crops take four to five months to mature. And unless you planted feminized seeds, about half of the plants will be undesirable males. Clones are not available by mail order. you must grow them yourself or get them from a grower or a medical marijuana cooperative.
Induce clones to flower when they are 6-18 inches tall to make most efficient use of HID light. Short crops of clones in small containers are much easier to move and maintain than big plants in big containers.
Well-illuminated, strong clones grow fast and have less chance of being affected by pests and diseases. Fast-growing clones develop more quickly than spider mites can reproduce. by the time a spider mite infestation is noticed and sprayed, the plants are a few weeks from harvest. Clones are also easy to submerge in a miticide when small.