Growing hemp is an individualistic experience that every commercial farmer will do differently. However, growers have started discovering quicker, more efficient ways of growing their hemp while still producing high-quality plants. To do this, growers have begun cloning their hemp plants.
While the term “cloning” may sound a bit technical and even a bit intimidating, it’s much easier than you’d imagine. In fact, hemp clones are changing the way the entire growing community operates, offering an easier alternative to the months-long grow process. To learn more about hemp clones and why they’re so significant, keep on reading.
Defining Hemp Clones
When we talk about hemp clones, we’re referring to hemp plants that have been grown using another piece of a strong, high-quality hemp plant. Often, farmers will grow a crop wherein a few strains show clear potential over others, whether it be due to potency or aromas. When this happens, being able to save and preserve that plant to produce offspring can do wonders for a farm. That’s exactly what cloning does.
Farmers will trim off integral parts of a hemp “mother” plant to then go around and replant these leaves or stems. From there, the plant materials will regrow, duplicating the genetics of the mother plant. Thus, the result is a direct clone. From the cannabinoid levels to the terpene content, the clone will contain the exact same characteristics as the plant that it came from. Essentially, it should be indistinguishable from the original mother plant.
This process is rapidly gaining popularity among commercial hemp growers, as they’re able to produce significantly more hemp yield in much less time through the use of clones. Now more than ever, we’re seeing farm after farm perfect just a few strains and preserving them, rather than producing dozens of strains that might not meet expectations. Simply put, the cloning process is turning the growing community upside-down, but in the best way possible.
The Significance of Hemp Clones
Other than mass production, there are a lot of reasons why hemp clones are rapidly gaining popularity. As we mentioned, cloning hemp plants is a great way to preserve that perfect yield. With cloning, that one-in-a-million grow can become every plant on your farm if you so choose. Considering how complicated and long the hemp growing process can be, knowing that your result will be perfect is more than helpful.
Hemp clones also save farmers a lot of time and money. Instead of starting with a seed and working through the germination process, hemp cloning skips that entirely. The germination process can take weeks, and you’re not always guaranteed to have quality seeds. Hemp clones, however, are actual parts of a fully-grown hemp plant, so you do not have to wait for it to germinate. Instead, you just wait for it to grow into its own cloned version. You’re neither wasting money on poor seeds nor accidentally growing useless male plants; with cloning, you know exactly what you’re growing.
Cloning hemp plants can also help guarantee higher potencies and better results. If you grow a strain that boasts high CBD levels, cloning this plant and using it as the mother plant ensures that you continue growing these high-potency plants. This can do wonders for commercial growers, as you no longer have to worry about producing a crop that doesn’t meet your standards. Rather, cloning guarantees that your plants exceed your standards.
Growing and Caring For Your Clones
You can choose to grow your hemp clones in a few different ways. All of this depends on you as a grower and what makes you most comfortable, as well as what kind of materials you have access to.
Many growers choose to rely on the water method to grow their hemp clones. After cutting off your trim from the mother plant, you simply submerge the stalks in water. Provide your plant with proper sunlight and nourishment, and, soon, you’ll see growth. This method is easy, straightforward, and most popular.
The soil method, however, refers to directly planting your cannabis clone in proper soil for growth. Make sure you give this plant material enough water and that the soil has the right nutrients. If it does, you should see growth in about two weeks’ time.
Finally, you can choose to skip the soil entirely and turn to a non-soil method. Here, you’re planting your hemp in alternate substances like gravel or Rockwool cubes and then growing it like you would in traditional soil.
After your clone starts to actually sprout, you can treat it as if it were any other hemp plant. Make sure that your clone is getting the right amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients. Remember that just because it’s a clone doesn’t mean that it is immune to pests or bacteria; keep a close eye on these plants to ensure that they’re growing just as you want them to. On that same note, check on your hemp mother plant, too: without her, you don’t have any clones.
Hemp Clones and Their Future
This idea of hemp clones may be somewhat new, but Luna Cultivation foresees it continuing to explode in popularity. This concept allows for our yields to be better than ever before. No longer do we have to just hope for the best when it comes to the results of our plants; instead, we know exactly what we’re growing, how potent it will be, how it smokes, and even how it smells. This allows growers to perfect hemp plants in ways we’ve never been able to before.
However, whether you want to clone your favorite hemp plant or grow your own from seed is completely up to you. No matter how you want to grow your plant--clone or not--Luna Cultivation is here to help. Always remember to take your time, be patient, and be attentive: your plants need much more care than your regular garden, so prepare for some work. The result, on the other hand, is simply unbelievable. That’s the beauty of growing hemp.