Tissue Culture Clone Care Sheet
Tutorial
Tissue culture clones are more vigorous than traditional clones but require special care. This guide outlines steps for receiving, acclimating, and transplanting them, with detailed instructions for managing their unique needs and ensuring successful growth.
Endless Biotech’s Tissue Culture Clone Care Sheet provides a comprehensive guide for handling these robust yet delicate clones. Upon arrival, clones should be inspected for damage, sanitized, and acclimated under clone lights with specific temperature and humidity conditions. Gradual air exposure and a vegetative nutrient solution (EC 1.0–3.0, pH 5.8–5.9) prepare them for the transition into a growing environment.
When ready, tissue culture clones can be transplanted into either Rockwool or coco coir, with tailored preparation steps to ensure healthy root development. Monitoring moisture levels, nutrients, and environmental conditions during the process is essential for their success. By following these careful acclimation and transplanting protocols, growers can maximize the potential of tissue culture clones for vigorous growth and high yields.
Tissue culture clones are more vigorous than traditional clones but require special care due to their size and shipping container. This care sheet guides you through receiving, acclimating, transplanting, and preparing them for the vegetative phase.
Receiving Tissue Culture Clones
- Visual Inspection:
- Check if the container is sealed and undamaged.
- Confirm the clones inside are intact and healthy.
- Sanitize the Container:
- Spray with 70% alcohol before starting the acclimation process.
- Initial Setup (Before Acclimation):
- Place clones under clone lights (6500K–9500K, 90-120 PPFD).
- Set humidity to 70%–75%.
- Temperature: 78°F–80°F.
- Let the clones rest for at least 4-8 hours (preferably 24 hours) to recover from shipping stress.
Acclimation Process
- Environmental Conditions:
- Continue using the same clone lights, humidity (70%–75%), and temperature (78°F–80°F).
- Step-by-Step Air Exposure:
- Step 1: Open the container by peeling back 1/3 of the seal, wait 12-24 hours.
- Step 2: Peel back the next 1/3, wait another 12-24 hours.
- Step 3: If clones appear healthy (not stressed), remove the entire seal.
- Feeding Clones:
- Start with a vegetative nutrient solution (EC 1.0–2.5, Endless Biotech uses 2.7–3.0 EC).
- pH: 5.8–5.9.
- Let them remain in this environment for 3–5 days.
Optional Steps for Healthier Clones
- Inoculation:
- Use Trichoderma to protect against pathogens like Pythium and Fusarium.
- Foliar Spraying:
- If the clones appear stressed, you may use a light foliar spray during acclimation.
Transplanting Tissue Culture Clones
Tissue culture clones are smaller than traditional clones, requiring careful handling. Allow extra time for acclimation to their new environment, as they are still in early developmental stages.
- General Conditions:
- Temperature: 78°F–82°F.
- Humidity: 60%–75%.
- Nutrients (Rockwool or Coco):
- EC: 1.5–3.0.
- pH: 5.8–5.9.
Transplanting into Rockwool
- Prepare Rockwool:
- Soak in pH-adjusted water (5.7–6.0) for 30-60 minutes.
- Check Clone Health:
- Ensure roots are healthy and the clone is fully acclimated to a non-sterile environment.
- Transplant:
- Create a hole in the Rockwool, place the clone, and gently press to secure it.
- Water and Monitor:
- Water lightly with pH-balanced solution and monitor moisture levels.
Transplanting into Coco Coir
- Prepare Coco:
- Ensure it is pre-buffered and moist, but not waterlogged.
- Check Clone Health:
- Confirm the clone has healthy roots and is acclimated to its environment.
- Transplant:
- Create a hole, use rooting gel if desired, and gently place the clone.
- Water and Monitor:
- Use a pH-balanced nutrient solution (pH 5.8–6.0) and ensure calcium and magnesium are adequate.
Conclusion
Monitor the clones closely during the acclimation and transplanting stages to ensure their success. The gradual process will help tissue culture clones thrive in their new environment.
