Indoor Gardening–Cloning 101

Indoor Gardening:

Cloning 101

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, graduation or celebration of life, giving plants to friends and family just makes us feel good. For the most part, gifted plant varieties tend to be reserved to ornamental flowers and tropical houseplants, each holding a unique, symbolic meaning. It’s a practice mired in tradition that has withstood the test of more than four millennia. Often overlooked, though, is the gift of edible plants.

Fruits, vegetables and herbs can be just as aesthetically pleasing as their floral counterparts with the added benefit of producing delicious homegrown food. While its certainly possible to purchase such a gift, you can add to the thoughtfulness by sharing one of your favorite plants directly from your garden – think exceptionally succulent tomatoes or aromatic Thai basil. But fret not, you don’t have to dig your best producing plants up from the roots to share them; simply create a clone.

Technically, plant “cloning” is a form of asexual vegetative propagation that produces a genetically identical copy of an existing plant. Rather than growing from a seed (sexual propagation), a cutting is taken from a healthy parent plant, provided a specific set of environmental conditions and allowed to flourish into a mature plant of its own. Not all plants are conducive to cloning, but for those that are, it’s a great way to duplicate your favorites. Cloning methods vary from species to species, with some cuttings taking place in the root zone, others at the base of leaves and the majority from a portion of stem.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on mint, an edible plant that can be propagated from a stem cutting. Other plants in this category include basil, rosemary, tomatoes, peppers, grapes, raspberry and more. If you are cloning for the first time, mint is a nice entry point because of its minimal requirements for ongoing maintenance once its roots are established. Mint also makes a great gift that can be enjoyed for both its fragrance and flavor.

Start by choosing a well-hydrated plant with fresh, healthy growth. Select a branch that has at least four or five nodes (sites where new leaf buds are forming). Cut the branch off entirely at a 45-degree angle just below the third or fourth node, leaving at least one node so your “mother” plant can regenerate. The portion of branch that you have removed will become your clone with roots eventually forming from the cut side. If there are any overly large, mature leaves still attached to it, trim off a portion (up to 50%) of the leaf tips. This will serve two purposes. First, it encourages the clone to focus more of its energy on developing new roots rather than supporting its existing vegetation. Second, it reduces the amount of leaf material susceptible to rotting or developing mold, during the humid conditions it’s about to experience.

Place the cut end of your branch securely into a pre-moistened grow media of your choosing. During the cloning process, your plant will use the energy already stored within its stem and leaves to develop new roots. Since no nutrition is required, a neutral media such as peat pellets, coco coir, rockwool or other root cubes can be used. Potting soil is also a viable option. Their purpose is purely to secure the branch in place, provide area for the roots to develop and hold moisture.

High levels of humidity are ideal for encouraging root development. The easiest way to create these is by placing your clones on a seedling tray covered by a translucent humidity dome. As the clones transpire and moisture from the grow media evaporates, it will be trapped within the environment, elevating humidity.

Rooting speed also improves with temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s. Low temperatures mixed with high levels of humidity are an invitation for mold and extremely high temperatures will basically cook your tender clones. If you’re struggling keeping temperatures warm enough, a seedling heat mat with a thermostat can be placed under the tray to ensure optimal conditions.

Light requirements during the rooting phase are almost non-existent and even the ambient light in a room is sufficient. If supplemental lighting is going to be employed, a single T5 fluorescent bulb or LED replacement hung 18 inches above the cuttings is more-than-ample. If lighting is too intense, it can burn and curl leaves. In fact, yellowing leaves are a sign that the plant is attempting to perform photosynthesis with excessive light, but it’s suffering since it has no root system to uptake nutrients needed during the process.

After that, it’s just a waiting game. Monitor the grow media to ensure it remains moist, watering as necessary. Never let it completely dry out. Within 2-3 weeks, you’ll see white roots emerging – a sign that the clone has now become a plant of its own. Pot it up into a larger container with a nutrient-rich soil or fertilizer and make your next gift of a plant one that’s truly special.

Mint can be propagated from a stem cutting.

JASON MISPAGEL Indoor Gardener

Jason Mispagel is the co-owner and operator of Year-Round Garden, a grower’s supply center serving both home and commercial customers since 2016. To contact Jason, call 816-216-6917 or jason@year-roundgarden.com.