I don't get it. This is my first time cloning so I'm sure I goofed somewhere but don't know where. I pulled the clones out of the rockwool to check the root system after 2 weeks and no roots have developed. Only a brownish necrosis around the 1/4" of stem. In a panic, I cut it off, stripped the outer tough skin and dipped again in rooting gel. The rooting gel is supposed to be good but I wonder if its not burning them. I just hope I can save them. PH=5.8 but there has been some upward drift do apparently to the water not fully stablized...I guess... Any hints? Thanks, MH

some cuttings dont like the rooting gels/hormones and just like a little scrape from a razor at the bottom 1/4 of the stem put in clean distilled water and change it every 3 days keep the light from the roots and put a fan on them.

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I have used rooting gel and came to the conclusion that it's crap.
However having said that it may not be the problem you have.
Did you pre soak the rockwool in the correct PH water for quite a few hours and let them drain before you used them.

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I would like to add that it should be a nice soft breeze nothing to powerfull at this stage.

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Oh and Rockwool has good water retension is it possible you have been overwatering, the Rockwool should be kept damp and its easy to over water.
Just a thought

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Remember if your roots are getting too much water they won't grow out in search for water!

Yeah, I've kept the rockwool damp, but not dripping wet. I also foliar with a little water with a drop of superthrive in it. I did soak the rockwool b4 using it in 5.8 distilled water. Surprisingly, dispite having no roots to speak of, the leaves seemed to perk up once I cut of the dead material. But thats cold comfort if the roots don't show soon.

Thanks to all, I really appreciate your intput. MH

Also, I've noticed an interesting contradiction, or seemingly a contradiction. Some people advocate putting the stems directly into water and yet others tell you not to keep the rockwool too wet. At the cutting stage, does it matter a whole lot??? I know oxygen will help the roots grow faster, but it seems I shouldn't have to worry about them not growing at all. Just curious. I probably burned the shit out of them. Thanks, MH

Well I think what I meant was if you have short roots and wanta higher absorbtion surface area at the root base then growth is a must If you dip fresh roots in water too early this would be bad...

I guess it can make sense in larger plants that require lots and lots of nutes/water... cuttings don't need a great deal of water so it would seem a little unnecessary tbh and would probably hinder growth a bit..

I suppose, If one has a bubbler you theoretically could immerse the roots in water? anyone??

well bed for me nn

Peace,
Denial

Thanks Denialisback, thats helpful.

people put cuttings directly in water after cutting and make their final cut while submerged in the water to prevent air bubbles going into the main stem. air in the stem is a clone killer because that bubble will prevent anykind of uptake of water to the cutting. your not suppose to keep the wool sopping wet because you can end up with mold and rotting! also lay off the superthrive all the time. its ok if you apply it once but you dont need too much and you dont need to keep spraying them all the time with it. plain water goes a long way! oh and dont strip the outer layers! just scrap them or rough up the surface. you can also just peel the last leaves from the node below the cut. peel it so you get those veins coming off like celery

my pleasure, and a surprise to me haha

yeah true word. Also always think _genetics_ the _genetics_ are what determine a plants character and what it like/doesn't like. genetics are determined by a natural enviornment, or unnatural environment if you are a seed breeder..

Food for though


Peace,
Denial