While animal and human cloning are still a taboo, plant cloning is widely accepted and appreciated for all its benefits. It is a perfect solution when you want to duplicate the plant you love as you will receive an exactly the same plant as the end-product. Planting from the same seeds does not provide nearly as good results- only the cloned plants will have the same genetic material and thus the same characteristics as well.
All gardeners and plant-lovers have their favorite plant that either looks the best or is more successful and resilient than any other plant, and plant cloning allows for duplicating such plants and enjoying them for as long as one wishes. The best way to clone a plant is to use the cloning machines, and for this reason, we have set out on a mission to provide all the information regarding cloning machines you need to know and in-depth reviews of the best cloning machines currently on the market.
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What is a Cloning Machine?
In short, cloning machines are gardening equipment used to clone plants. Most often, a cloning machine is a circular or square plastic box that holds a mixture of nutrients for your plant’s successful growth and allows for it to grow more quickly and efficaciously. Each cloning machine also includes a water pump and aeroponic spray nozzles that keep your plant hydrated at all times.
Every cloning machine has a number of cloning sites on the top which are basically holes filled with both soft and hard neoprene inserts. As there are cloning machines with a different number of these holes, you can choose depending on your specific needs. The procedure of cloning begins when you take a cutting of the desired plant and place it into the designated hole or cloning site. Next, you need to turn on the pump which will force the nutrients mixture through the spray nozzles. In this way, your plant will be covered with highly-oxygenated mist.
It is possible to clone your plants without the cloning machine, but not as successfully and quickly, and with much more effort which brings us to the second question we have tried to answer.
Why Buy a Cloning Machine?
As already stated, you can clone plants without the cloning machine, but in that case, you will spend much more time as it will take almost twice as long to finish the process. The success rate is also usually much higher when you use the machine, often even 100%. You do not have to pay as much attention to your cuttings during their rooting phase if you use the cloning system because the environment is much more stable.
You can do it the old-fashioned way, but besides the longer procedure, you will most certainly have to deal with a less-accurate result as well. Using the cloning machines guarantees the desired results, and you can use the extra time to dedicate to other gardening tasks.
What to Consider When Buying a Cloning Machine?
Besides minding your budget, you also have to pay particular attention to the features and how well they meet your personal needs and preferences. In order to make the task easier for you, we have comprised a short guide for you to follow:
Steps to follow | The procedure |
|---|---|
Step 1: Choosing the type of the cloning machine that best suits your needs | There are two main types: the DWC or the Deep Water Culture and the EAF or Ebb and Flow systems. The DWC is easier to set up and use and a better option for beginners. The EAF system is more efficient. |
Step 2: Deciding on the number of growing sites | It is essential to make this decision before purchasing the cloning machine or else you can end up with a growing kit that is too small and compact to clone the number of plants you have intended to. The number of pots or buckets that are incorporated into the cloning system dictate the number of plants you are able to grow. |
Step 3: Finding the right bucket size | The bucket size is directly influenced by the size of the plant you are planning to grow. Buckets are measured in gallons, and it is always better to choose the ones with more space as that allows you to take out the plant more easily when you want to move or transplant it. |
Step 4: Making sure that your cloning machine comes with an active hydroponic system | In comparison to passive hydroponic systems, the active systems provide enhanced growth and better final results. However, they are more costly. Active hydroponic systems feature a pump which supplies the nutrient solution to your plants in designated timed intervals. Most often the solution recirculates through the system. |
Step 5: Making sure that the kit is expandable | It is best if you can afford it, to have an option to expand the system if you later find it necessary. In this way, you can increase the number of plants to clone without any distress. Although it initially might cost more, it is definitely even more expensive to buy another unit later on. |
A Quick Plant Cloning Guide
If you have followed our step-by-step guide for buying the most suitable plant cloning machine, you should now be able to start using it appropriately. Once again we have comprised an easy guide that explains how to take cuttings successfully and clone them in your system.
Steps to follow | The procedure |
|---|---|
Step 1: Prepare the cloning machine | First of all, fill the machine with water that is at 65-68°F (18-20°C) to the level indicated, and then attach the mister and pump. Test if everything runs smoothly. Check whether the misters cover the whole surface of the lid. If you wish, you can also add a light nutrient mixture at this point. |
Step 2: Set up the cloning environment | The temperature should be kept between 70-75°F and the humidity above 60%. If the humidity is lower than recommended, you will have to mist the plants or acquire a humidity dome. The temperature of the nutrient mix you add to the reservoir is also important and ideally, it should be 68°F (20°C). Make sure that the pump is not heating your reservoir and securing the desired temperature should not be very difficult. You will also need some light, and some T5 grow lights should be enough. Set them up about 1’ away from the canopy. |
Step 3: Place the cuttings into the cloning machine | After you take the plant cuttings, insert them into the neoprene discs you have received with your cloning machine. About 2” of the stem should come out of the bottom of the neoprene insert so as to allow the mister to hit enough of the surface. |
Step 4: Taking care of the cuttings | At first, your plants might seem a bit lifeless, but they just need some time to get used to being rootless, and this should not worry you. In a few hours they should straighten up, or you need to help them out by misting them with a foliar spray. The roots will develop in approximately two days and should be bright white- if they are healthy. Make sure that they are not brown or gray, as that is a sure sign that the temperature of the water in your system is too high.In one week time, the plants should be thriving and the roots popping out of them. |
Step 5: Transplanting | This stage comes somewhere around two weeks after placing the cuttings into the cloning machine. The secondary roots should be fully developed and the plants can be transplanted into the ground. |
The Top Five Cloning Machines On The Market – Our Reviews
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1. TurboKlone T24D Aeroponic Cloning System
Via Amazon.com
TurboKlone T24D is equipped with Aeroponic cloning system which means that it secures sprays of water and oxygen to the cuttings and allows for more efficient and quick cloning. This cloning machine also includes a fan technology that is patented; it ensures that the system stays cool and keeps the flowing water at the optimal temperature.
The humidity dome keeps the humidity high enough and prevents initial transplant shock. The spray heads must be cleaned periodically, or the water will stop coming out. The machine is easy to set up and requires almost no maintenance. It features 24 clone sites, inserts are at 2” diameter, and you also receive a starter sheet of collars.
It is budget-friendly, especially when compared to other products with similar features and possibilities. Rounded edges are a nice touch that makes cleaning easier. Our success rate upon testing this cloning machine for the first time and following all the instructions from the included manual has been 90%.
What we like:
- Easy to follow manual
- Initial success rate of 90%
- Submersible pump
What we do not like:
- There is no heater included
- The pump sometimes leaks
2. TurboKlone T96 Aeroponic Cloning Machine
Via Amazon.com
TurboKlone T96 is another machine with Aeroponic system that provides your cuttings with an adequate spray of continuous water and oxygen. Make sure to keep the spray nozzles clean and clear before starting a new cloning process especially if you use some nutrient mixture as it tends to leave residue and clog the nozzles enough to change their spray pattern.
We have been able to get the roots in 12 days on average, with a 90% success rate. Although the instructions are limited, we have managed with no problems as setting up the machine is relatively easy. In our opinion, the fan is the key to success as it keeps the water from overheating and prevents infections by oxygenating the cuttings.
The only problem we have experienced is water dripping everywhere when we open the machine, but it is an easy fix since the machine just needs to be turned off before opening. It 'd be good to include a warning in the instructions though.
What we like:
- Fan system
- 90% success rate
- Easy cleaning
What we do not like:
- Insufficient instructions
- Nozzles tend to clog if not cleaned after each use
3. EZ-CLONE Classic 16 Cutting System Plant Cloning Machine
Via Amazon.com
EZ-CLONE Classic 16 is made of fully recyclable, highly chemically resistant, and durable HDPE. The package includes 16 EZ Collars, a lid, manifold, misters, a reservoir and a water pump with an adapter. It features a leak resistant cord outlet which allows for several cords, and a recessed drain providing the best protection and offering the possibility to tip the machine for draining with no difficulty. Another plus are the customized manifolds which are designed for each sized system.
It is easy to assemble and operate, and utilizes the same Aeroponic Misting Technology as all the other cloning machines we have reviewed so far. It is most suitable for cloning plants in small areas, and it can be moved very easily, even when occupied with water.
Our success rate was little above 90%, and we have used only purified water with no nutrients added. The only downside we have seen so far is the lid that does not form a tight seal which can result in some water leakage but is a rather easy fix.
What we like:
- Made of 100% recycled materials
- Easy to assemble and operate
- Fully recyclable and durable
What we do not like:
- The lid does not form a tight seal
- Higher price
4. Hydro West Clone Bucket 8 Black Edition
Via Amazon.com
Hydro West Clone Bucket is made from plastic which seems durable. The set includes eight 2" cloning neoprene inserts that can be reused for up to 5 cycles, a custom spray manifold, and a 171 gph submersible pump. The instructions are detailed, and it is easy to set up.
Clone Bucket 8 is also Aeroponic cloning system and provides rooted clones in 5 to 10 days. It is a budget-friendly option most suitable for in-home use and users who do not need a high number of plants.
Our success rate was once more somewhere around 90%, but we kept experiencing problems with the pump turning over. For this reason, we advise that you take care when affixing the pump to the bottom. Another issue we have encountered is water getting too warm which can be resolved by adding a timer and setting it to run the pump every 15 minutes, but it means additional cost. The nozzles throw drops of water rather than mist.
What we like:
- Affordable
- Success rate
What we do not like:
- The pump constantly turns over
- The temperature has to be monitored and regulated which might mean additional cost
5. Clone King 64 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine
Via Amazon.com
Clone King 64 also features Aeroponic system and cuttings are air-suspended and continuously sprayed by mist for more efficient growth. The machine is easy to assemble and use but a bit bulky and difficult to move around. The temperature has to be monitored at all times and the nozzles cleaned after each use or the infection might occur. As suggested, we have used only water as to achieve 100% organic production when testing the unit and we have had a success rate of 60 out of 64 plants.
The pump is submersible, and although it produces some heat, it has a rather insignificant influence to the system. There are 25 misting spray heads, and extra misters are included, which is great since we actually had to replace two of them.
Neoprene inserts are 1.69 inches in diameter and come with precut holes. You receive the inserts in three different colors ideal for color coding when planting different plants at once. The only thing you need to add for the system to be fully functional is lighting.
What we like:
- Suitable for 100% organic rooting
- Huge success rate
- Detailed manual
- Reasonably priced
What we do not like:
- Nozzles get clogged if not cleaned regularly
- Bulky and hard to move unit
The Best Cloning Machine is…
Without a doubt, EZ-CLONE Classic 16 Cutting System Plant Cloning Machine, as it has proven almost flawless and highly effective. It is certain that you might find some cheaper options on the market, but if you are searching for the quality and a certain success in plant cloning we recommend that you hurry and buy one of the best cloning machine reviewed here.
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