Got Cloner system questions...?????

Hey everyone..I normally just lurk and read alot here and have learned alot from all you folks here at DG..Great site!!! I have some questions about a few things and if anyone else has questions or comments just post away.
Here's the spill....=0)
i built a "bubbler system" from the great info here and it is working. I have a few plants in there to see if i can get them to root.
i have searched till my head hurts and cannot find a answer to these ?'s...They may have been posted before, but hey newbies coming in may not can find them or some there may be some other reason they are not readily avaiable.... so I hope this may help others also.

okay now here's the ???'s--------------

1.- Do the stems need to be submersed in the water?

2.- Which rooting harmone is best to use?

3.- Does the pump need to be ran continuously or can it be shut off for X amount of time?

4.- Should peroxide be added to the water?.. and if yes...at what rate/mixture should the peroxide be added?.. i.e.- X amount of peroxide to X amount of water?

I will more than likely think of more ?'s later but for now these are heavy on my old brain. Thanks!

1.- Do the stems need to be submersed in the water?
Yes..most definitely at least 1/8" of the stem should be in the water
2.- Which rooting harmone is best to use?
You don't use a rooting hormone..not neccessary with water
3.- Does the pump need to be ran continuously or can it be shut off for X amount of time?
Yes..leave it running continuously..the oxygenation it creates in the water helps the cutting to root..stagnant water doesn't
4.- Should peroxide be added to the water?.. and if yes...at what rate/mixture should the peroxide be added?.. i.e.- X amount of peroxide to X amount of water?
No..peroxide is needed..just pure water
I

Jeanne, are these answers applicable to the EZClone also. I bought one a while back but haven't gotten around to using it yet.

Is ezclone a DWC (Deep water culture) apparatus?..if they are used to root cuttings in water with an aquarium pump then yes they apply...I made my own so not sure about EZ...Jeanne

No, I guess not. EZClone uses mist I think.

Thanks for the response/comments...=0)

I am somewhat confused about this whole "cloning" method/set-up...Why?...well... I get different answers to the same questions...some say to not submerse the tips of the cuttings, some say you should submerse them...

Now this is my thoughts or questions on this (may be right..may be wrong...) The commercial cloning systems like EZ Clone use a mist to provide the rooting "environment", with that in mind... the cutting is not submersed in the water.....the mist provides "moisture" and a oxygen rich "humid" environment....it is my understanding that the mesh "root cups" sometimes used in this type of system keeps the roots above the water level, not submersed...so you can see why I am somewhat confused about the whole process. I am just a beginner, never tried anything like this before and just would like to clear out all the misconceptions, trial and error, and what not in the beginning that I possibly can...by getting all the info and documentation on the process using the "bubbler" as a cloner. I like to mess with things like the "bubbler" and the whole cloning/propagation thing has me really interested.
Any and all comments, suggestions, methods, etc., etc..are welcome. Thanks =0)

The stems shouldn't be touching the water at all. They shouldn't be anywhere near the water. I am referring to a machine like the EZ Clone.

Am I right in assuming that an aquarium pump or a pond pump can be used to make a cloning machine? I suppose it depends on what size you want it to be.

And, what size rubbermaid box would I use?

This message was edited Jun 30, 2010 11:05 PM

You are correct angedawn47...I built my own "bubbler" cloning system. Heres my list of stuff I used to build my "bubbler".


2 - 18 inch bubble curtains

1 - 20-60 gallon / double outlet aquarium air pump

8 -10 feet of black aquarium air line..- (if you can't find black just paint the clear with a black paint made to adhere to plastic.)

1 - 35 quart plastic sweater storage - rubbermaid / sterilite brand or similar (mine is Sterilite) needs to have a dark or solid color top/lid..if a clear lid is used the exterior needs to be painted with black paint made to adhere to plastic so it will block out light that causes algae/fungal growth. The bottom/tub of the sweater box should also be painted on the exterior with a plastic adhering paint.

2 - cans of Krylon Plastic paint..black

2 - packs of womens foam type hair rollers (jumbo... they measure 1 1/8 inches across the end) -


Tools needed................
1 - hole saw..size - 1 inch ---***CORRECTION... 9/16" hole saw..not a 1 inch***

1 - 1/4 inch drill bit

power drill

tape measure

fine point permanent marker
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I hope this will help you in some way..

Mike




This message was edited Jul 2, 2010 4:47 PM

Mike,
Yes, that is very helpful. I am, however, wondering what bubble curtains are?

I think Mike that you guys are talking apples and oranges. 2 different systems. There are bubblers where you have the stems in water and then there are aeroponics which is a mist system and the stems are not in water.

Jeanne is right about the bubbler. I think this is pretty close to hydroponics.

Then the aeroponics the stems hang above the water, (there is not a lot of water in the container)

There are 2 different kinds of pumps here. The aquarium pump is used with an airstone in the bubbler, (hydroponics). It is outside the container.

A submersible pump is used in aeroponics. The water covers the pump and the pump circulates the water,spraying, or misting, the stems.

I know nothing about the EZcloner, Is it a bubbler, or a mister? Which kind of pump does it use? That would tell you which it is.

So, first of all you need to go with one or the other. Don't confuse the two.

angedawn47~~~~the pic below is a bubble curtain just a long rod that emits air into the water.


All I know now from my experience is.... that my 'bubbler' will produce enough 'mist' or whatever to keep the cuttings (which i have chosen to suspend above the water) in my system dripping with water at all times. I even cut the air pump off at night and the cuttings still are moist and have a big drop of water on the tip when i check them in the morning.
I see photos on the net of some using the 'bubbler' and suspending the cuttings, and.... I see pics of some that are using the 'bubbler' and submersing the cuttings. So I don't think we are 'confusing' the two ..its more of a trying to figure out which way works best.

******Anyone with a 'bubbler' or 'misting' system that can add your comments on your particular setup and the way you place the cutting in the system please post your example with the results/rooting sucess rate and any other conclusive info here.******

Have a great weekend!

OK, I just put several brug cuttings in a bubbler 3 weeks ago and most have "nubbies" but one has roots coming out ABOVE the water line and nothing below. Why??? All I have is an airstone and about 12 inches of water.



edited to add: about an hour ago I put a couple of pinches of soluble mychorrizae in the water.????Think it will help?

This message was edited Oct 4, 2010 3:16 PM