For those unfamiliar, a mother plant is grown specifically for the purpose of taking cuttings. When you find a plant with desirable traits, such as high potency, yield, or disease resistance, you will want to keep it around. The mother plant is the single most important plant in your garden because it provides all the cuttings needed to populate your garden with consistent genetics. Remember, when you buy other people’s plants, you also buy their problems, and you never truly know what you are introducing to your garden. Additionally, ordered clones may not arrive on time, leaving you with an empty room while you wait. Cutting clones yourself is more economical and allows you to retain complete control over the entire growing process.
Now, let’s explore the mother area. As mentioned, the mother plant is the most important plant, but it is often relegated to a corner or an aisle of the grow room. This placement may keep them close to your cloning area, but it isn’t always the best spot for them to thrive. Here are some key considerations to avoid potential problems and setbacks:
1. Begin with a Clean Space
Ensure that the mother plant is in a sterilized area free from bacteria or fungi, which can ultimately harm your plants.
2. Raise Your Mother Plant
Avoid placing them directly on cold concrete, as cold roots can slow down plant growth and affect nutrient absorption. Use a tray or a rolling plant base for convenience, allowing you to move large plants down aisles or next to your propagation station when it’s time for cuttings.
3. Pot Them in the Appropriate Size Container
The right container size will provide the space needed for healthy root development. A larger pot influences the plant’s size and stability, reducing the need for frequent watering and preventing the plant from tipping over when dry.
4. Choose the Appropriate Medium
At Strange Bud, they use Royal Gold Tuper, a blend of high-quality coco coir, peat, perlite, and aged forest products. This premix is a popular organic and sustainable choice among growers.
5. Consider Air Movement
Ensure that your mother plant has adequate space and air movement around it. Overcrowding is a common issue as growers tend to hoard all their genetics in one room. Spread them out to allow proper air circulation and ensure a fresh air source unless you have supplemental CO2.
6. Provide Adequate Lighting
At Strange Bud, they use the iLogic 8 from Illuminar, a 630-watt light array that covers at least a 4×4 footprint. With sufficient ceiling height, it can cover more like a 5×5 area. These lights are IP rated for moisture resistance and are both controllable and dimmable. A mother plant benefits from a full spectrum of light, including blue and red wavelengths. Aim for light levels of 400 to 700 micromoles for optimal growth. The iLogic 8 is ideal for growing mother plants due to its easy maintenance and the ability to link multiple fixtures in parallel with a single power source.
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