FROM SEEDS

We have found that the method of using wet paper towels to germinate seeds can be detrimental to the overall health of the resulting plant. This method reduces the natural beneficial stress experienced by the seed while opening underground. Coping with the weight and displacement of the topsoil causes the plant to grow stronger and more robust. We advise you to follow this alternative method which cultivates a healthier plant:

1. Place your seeds in a cup of lukewarm water overnight. Within 1-2 days, they should sink to the bottom. If they don’t sink within 4 days, they probably are not going to germinate.  
2. Remove the floating seeds and discard. Put aside the remaining seeds for planting. 
3. Prepare your plugs or media tray by pre soaking in water, taking care not to oversaturate. They should not drip water when lifted. Err on the side of too little rather than too much water. 
4. Use a 1/8” diameter rod or poker to create a hole 1/2” deep in the media. 
5. Place the seed into the hole and cover loosely with additional media.
6. Place your seeded tray(s) 18-20” below your light (100-250w light reference distance). The light should be on for 18 hours and off for 6 hours. Your room temperature should be between 67º-77ºF and the humidity should be 55%-70%.
7. When the seedlings begin to protrude from the soil and exhibit their first set of leaves, inspect the plugs for roots. Once you observe a root hitting the bottom of the tray or plug, it is time to transplant to a larger container. The root size and shape will tell the plant how it is supposed to grow. You never want your plant to get root bound before transplanting. A root-bound plant will start to flower automatically because it believes it is mature and unable to get any larger with the existing root mass.

FROM A CUTTING (CLONE) 

1. Select a 3-5” branch and remove from the plant using a 45º cut with a new razor blade. Using scissors or snips will crush the tissue of the plant and render it useless. 
2. Remove the lower leaves so the branch can be inserted into the rooting medium.
3. Finish by trimming back ½” of the leaf tips and soak in a CUTTING MIXTURE for 20 minutes. Continue to the next step, depending on the rooting medium.   

ROOTING CUBE PREP

1. Use a thin rod to poke a hole about 2” straight down into your rooting cube. 
2. Slide the cutting into the hole. 
3. Place the cube into a tray and drench with the CUTTING MIXTURE (see p.18).
4. Alternatively, the cutting can be dipped in a root gel before sticking it in the rooting cube. 
5. Place your tray 18-20” below your light. The light should be on for 18 hours and off for 6 hours.
6. Keep the cube moist about halfway up the cube. When you see roots growing out of the blocks, you are ready to transplant into a growing medium.  

CLONING MACHINE

1. Fill the machine reservoir with the CUTTING MIXTURE (see p.18). 
2. Gently place your cuttings in the neoprene collars and then into the machine. 
3. Keep the light 18-20” above your new cuttings. The light should be on for 18 hours and off for 6 hours. 
4. Adequate root development should occur within 7-10 days. Cleanse the roots with the appropriate solution before transplanting.

CUTTING MIXTURE

1. Add soluble silicon to water, following manufacturer’s directions and stir.
2. Add the recommended amount of rooting compound and stir again. 
3. Adjust pH to 5.8 by adding the appropriate amendments.