The word cloning is not an unfamiliar term. It is used in many areas like computers, animals, plants, animals and much more. Whatever the fields, cloning refers to only one thing- making a duplicate copy of the original. In the case of plants, there is no exception. Plant cloning is the process of producing genetically identical plants from an original plant. Unlike animals, plant cloning is much simpler. The process of plant cloning is cutting or clipping of part of the plant, transplant the severed part and allow it to grow on its own. After 1-3 weeks, the roots will develop from the cutting part, and a new life of clone begins.
The cloning process becomes easier thanks to the innovation of cloning device. The tool is an automated plant cloning machine. It is horticulturists who are the first user of the cloning machine to make a duplicate copy of their selected plant. Clone machines come in different shapes and sizes. But they have some general features like a container or reservoir, a unit of a submersible water pump, a manifold with sprayer heads, an air pump for aeration and neoprene or plastic plant holders.
The methods of using a clone machine
Once a gardener or grower plans to use a clone machine to duplicate a plant, he needs to follow a few basic steps to increase the probability of quick root development. These steps are described below
Step 1
Choose a fresh, healthy donor plant
The first step of successful cloning is to selecting a healthy plant as a donor. If the donor plant any disease, pest insects, mold or fungus infection, it is highly likely that the clone plant will also have these issues. For this reason, a grower needs to carefully select a vibrant and healthy plant as a donor.
Step 2
Fill the cloning machine with water up to the indicated fill line
The cloning machine comes with an indicator line meaning that the growers need to fill the container with water up to that mark. While filling the container, use fresh water. A successful cloning process depends on the quality of water and maintaining an optimum temperature inside the cloning machine. The ideal temperature for plant cloning is 65-70 degrees F. Since hard water is harmful to cloned plants, if growers need to convert hard water into soft ones by using the reverse osmosis process. Another important thing is to mix some cloning specific solution with the water to hasten the cloning process. One such cloning solution is 1/4 strength blooming fertilizer.
Step 3
Cut the clones and put them in the machine
The next step is to cut the clones from the donor plants and place them inside the cloning machine. As soon as the clone is cut, it should be dipped in a rooting solution or cloning gel and then placed in the neoprene or plastic plant holder.
Step 4
Monitor the progress
Cuttings placed in a clone machine will develop roots very quickly. Daily monitoring of the cuttings is absolutely necessary.
Transplant the clone
After a strong root system has developed, transplant the clone in soil.
