clones problems;help please

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Hey BG, I didn't comment earlier because I had no idea why some of your plants have failed while others flourish... that is, unless the poor looking stems have rotted instead of developing roots.

Originally posted by Salgado

Cutting the leaves by half is also good method. By doing this the clones will spend more of its stored nutrients and energy in root development rather than photosynthesis again. Actually the discoloration in the leaves are exactly that. The cuttings are using its energy in root grow. 

Good technique but not really for that reason. Cutting leaves doesn't change the way a plant will use stored nutrients (you actually remove a large reserve of nutrients when you cut the leaves).

A vascular plant works like a passive water pump. As water is evaporated from the pores on the surface of the leaves, the lower water pressure in the trunk forces water to be sucked into the roots thereby balancing the internal pressure.

A clone has a stem and leaves, but no roots. Thus, we trim back the leaf surface to limit moisture loss inside the stem and leaves whilst waiting for roots to form.   Although, as many growers have shown, leaf trimming isn't actually necessary. Many clone successfully leaving all foliage intact. 

Personally, I've had high rates of success with trimmed leaves and I can fit more in a tray without losing all the airspace.

Hopefully your next lot of clones will do better.

sara.