Propagation & Cloning
Clone Acclimation & Rooted-Cutting Transition
A newly rooted cutting is not automatically ready for the light, airflow, root-zone volume, and atmospheric demand of vegetative production. Acclimation should follow new root function and plant response.
Key concepts
- Root presence does not mean maximum root function
- New leaves formed during acclimation can differ from leaves developed under propagation conditions
- Light and VPD increases change water demand together
- Transplant timing should consider root distribution and media condition
What to measure or observe
- Inspect new-root distribution
- Track leaf posture after environmental changes
- Increase light or airflow in documented steps
- Record recovery after transplant
Common mistakes
- Moving rooted cuttings directly into much higher light
- Increasing light, VPD, and irrigation strength all at once
- Judging readiness only by roots visible at one hole
- Allowing propagation roots to become severely root-bound before transition
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Propagation-to-vegetative acclimation ladder
- Root-distribution readiness examples
- Light/VPD transition chart
- Transplant recovery timeline