How to root cuttings: A complete guide

How to root cuttings is one of the most common questions among growers, both beginners and experts. Propagating marijuana plants from cuttings is an effective and simple process that allows you to duplicate desired traits. With the right tips and methods, you can grow healthy and robust plants. Discover everything you need to know about rooting cuttings on our blog.

What is a cutting?

A cutting is a portion of a plant that is cut and used to propagate a new plant. This piece can come from different parts of the mother plant, such as stems, leaves, or roots. Cannabis cuttings are popular because they allow you to duplicate traits like flavor, aroma, and yield. The process of how to make marijuana cuttings is relatively straightforward.

What is the purpose of rooting cuttings?

Rooting cuttings is a fundamental technique in cannabis cultivation because it allows you to obtain genetically identical clones of the mother plant. In addition, rooting cuttings offers other advantages:

1. Efficiency: it allows you to multiply your plants quickly and easily, saving time and money compared to seed germination.
2. Consistency: it ensures uniformity in your grow since all cuttings come from the same mother plant and share its genetics.
3. Preservation of genetics: it helps preserve valuable or hard-to-find genetics, ensuring their availability for future grows.
4. Indoor cultivation: it facilitates growing in small spaces since cuttings are usually smaller and easier to manage than plants grown from seeds.

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Types of cuttings

When it comes to propagating marijuana, you can choose from several types depending on which part of the plant is cut:

• Stem cuttings: the most common for propagating cannabis. They are cut from the top of the plant and placed in the rooting medium.
• Leaf cuttings: less effective but sometimes used in specific grows.
• Root cuttings: although rare in cannabis, some growers attempt to root root cuttings.
• Woody cuttings: come from more mature and sturdy branches. These types take longer to root.
• Semi-woody cuttings: less hard and easier to handle than woody ones.

How to allow marijuana cuttings to heal

Instead of “drying” the cuttings, it is more accurate to talk about allowing the wound from the cut to heal. This process helps prevent pathogen entry and reduces the risk of rot. Here’s how to do it properly:

1. Preparation

After cutting the cutting, you can briefly dip the base in a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the wound. This is especially useful if the mother plant shows signs of disease.

2. Healing

Place the cuttings on absorbent paper in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for a few hours (2-4 hours). The goal is to let the wound slightly close, not to dry out the cutting completely.

Direct sunlight should also be avoided, as it can quickly dehydrate the cutting.

3. Importance

Allowing the wound to heal helps prevent fungi and bacteria from entering, reducing the risk of stem rot.

This process is especially useful in environments with high humidity or when working with varieties prone to rot.

4. Caution

It is crucial not to exceed the healing time, as dehydration can make rooting more difficult. After the healing period, proceed immediately with the chosen rooting method.

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If you need to dry or heal cuttings for any reason, place them in a dark and ventilated area. Check out our cutting cabinets for complete security in your processes.

The best methods to root cuttings

If you wonder how to root cuttings successfully, there are different methods you can use. Here we explain the most effective ones:

Rooting in water

Place the cutting in a container with water until roots develop. This method is easy and lets you see the progress.

Rooting in soil

Cuttings are placed in a light substrate such as perlite or coconut fiber. This method is very popular in cannabis cultivation, as it offers a good balance of aeration and support.

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Using hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide helps prevent rot and oxygenates the water, which promotes root development. To use this method, dilute a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in water and place the cutting in the solution. Change the solution every few days.

If you need more information on how to do this, here is a detailed guide on how to root cuttings in hydrogen peroxide.

In Aloe Vera

Aloe vera acts as a natural rooting agent thanks to its auxins, which stimulate root growth. To use it, dip the cutting into the freshly cut aloe vera branch. This process also protects against fungi and bacteria and provides nutrients that favor root growth. Roots usually start to sprout between 7 and 14 days after planting.

With rooting hormones

There are specialized products like Clonex or Cloner Boom, gels or liquids containing high concentrations of auxins, the hormones responsible for root growth.

Following the DIY philosophy, we propose a natural and effective alternative: homemade rooting hormone made from sprouted legumes such as lentils, soybeans, or chickpeas.

Using lentil water

Lentils contain natural auxins and also release phytohormones that stimulate root growth. To make the rooting solution, soak lentils for 8 hours, then discard the water and repeat the process briefly each day until they sprout (3-5 days). Blend the sprouted lentils with water, strain the mix, and dilute the concentrate (1 part concentrate to 10 parts water). Soak your cuttings in this solution before planting. Roots typically appear within 7–14 days. You can refrigerate the solution for up to 15 days.

Ideal environment for rooting cuttings

Success in how to root cuttings heavily depends on environmental conditions. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Humidity: Cuttings require high humidity, ideally between 70% and 90%, to prevent dehydration. Use a propagator, mist regularly, or run a humidifier to maintain the right moisture levels.
• Temperature: Optimal rooting temperatures are 72–75°F (22–24°C). Keep conditions steady to encourage healthy root development.
• Light: Provide indirect, gentle lighting. Avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch cuttings. LED or fluorescent grow lights work best for rooting stages.
• Air circulation: Proper ventilation helps prevent excess humidity buildup and mold. Ensure there is soft airflow around your rooting area.

Top rooting products

To maximize success with your propagation process, here’s a comparison table of some of the best rooting products from GB The Green Brand. We’ll review their features, composition, and benefits to help you choose what best suits your needs.

Feature	Roots GB Nutrients	Clonex	Cloner Boom	Clonex Pro Start
Description	Bio-mineral fertilizer for vigorous rooting.	Hormone gel for fast and healthy rooting.	Rooting gel for strong, quality cuttings.	Multi-use rooting and starter fertilizer for cuttings, seeds, and seedlings.
Type	Liquid	Gel	Gel	Liquid
Main Hormone	Unspecified (contains natural auxins)	Indole-3-butyric acid (0.3%)	Natural phytohormones	Unspecified
Composition	Nitrogen, amino acids, polysaccharides, organic acids, Biomol-S (Fucoidan and Alginates).	Vitamin B1, minerals, nutrients, antimicrobial agents.	Seaweed extract, phytohormones, amino acids, micronutrients, vitamins, polysaccharides.	Nitrogen, potassium, calcium, seaweed, L-amino acids, humic and fulvic acids.
Recommended Use	Seedlings, cuttings, mother plants.	Plant cuttings.	Plant cuttings.	Cuttings, seeds, seedlings.
Application	Watering (2–3 ml/L), cutting immersion.	Stem immersion.	Brush onto stem.	Watering (1 ml/L), cutting immersion.
Benefits	Stimulates roots, strengthens plants, improves nutrient absorption.	Fast rooting, infection protection, clone accuracy.	Quick root development, robust root system.	Multi-purpose, effective rooting, initial nutrition.
Price	€5	€12	€8.60	€8.98
Extra Benefits	Biomol-S tech for enhanced effectiveness.	Seals cut, high hormone concentration, easy to use.	Natural ingredients, high success rate.	Organo-mineral, stable pH, water-soluble.
Precautions	Shake before use, do not ingest, store cool.	Don’t contaminate the container, don’t reuse leftover gel, keep refrigerated.	Do not dip the cutting directly, discard leftover product, do not ingest.	Discard used product, do not reuse.

Fertilizing cuttings

Once your cuttings begin to root, you can start feeding them with light fertilizers to support early growth.

• Use a balanced liquid fertilizer with a low NPK ratio.
• Apply the fertilizer weekly, or as needed.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can damage the cuttings.

Post-rooting care

Once your cannabis cuttings have started rooting, it’s essential to provide proper aftercare to ensure successful development:

• Transplanting: Once roots are large enough, move the cuttings to a larger pot or their final grow medium.
• Watering: Keep the substrate consistently moist but not soaked. Light, frequent watering works best.
• Lighting: Provide indirect light until the plants are established. LED or fluorescent lighting is ideal to avoid stress.
• Fertilization: Once rooted, start feeding your plants light nutrients to promote healthy growth.
• Pest Control: Rooting areas can be vulnerable to pests and mold, so keep things clean and use preventatives like neem oil.

How long does it take to root cuttings?

If you’re wondering how to root cuttings successfully, know that it depends on your setup. On average, cannabis cuttings take 7 to 14 days to root. To speed things up, make sure to maintain warm temperatures (72–75°F) and high humidity around the cuttings.

With the right guidance on how to root cuttings and high-quality rooting products, your clones will grow strong and healthy, ready for a productive life cycle.