What a mother plant needs
A mother plant is a female Cannabis sativa plant kept in the vegetative stage. Growers cut clones from it. The plant does not flower. It stays under 18 hours light and 6 hours dark, or 24 hours light. A mother plant needs space, nutrients, and regular pruning. A healthy mother can supply clones for 6 to 12 months. Some growers replace mothers every 3 to 6 months.
Top Mother Plant Grow Tent Setup Guide
Light and environment
Use 18/6 or 24/0 photoperiod. Light intensity should be 300 to 600 PPFD for most mothers. Temperature: 68 to 77 F. Relative humidity: 50 to 70 percent. Air movement prevents mold. Keep the plant in a dedicated tent or room. A mother plant in the same room as flowering plants can revegetate or herm. Use a timer. Check for light leaks.
Best Soil for Cannabis Mother Plants: 5 Options Compared
Container and root care
Mother plants stay in containers for months. Use a 3 to 5 gallon pot for a small mother. A 7 to 10 gallon pot supports a larger plant. Roots circle and bind. Root pruning every 3 to 4 months can reset the plant. Remove the root ball, trim 1 to 2 inches from the sides and bottom, and repot with fresh soil. Some growers use fabric pots for air pruning. Avoid root rot with drainage and wet-dry cycles.
cloning cannabis from mother plants
Pruning and training
Prune to keep size and shape. Remove lower growth that gets no light. Top the plant to create more clone sites. Use low stress training to bend branches. Do not defoliate more than 20 percent at one time. Sterilize scissors with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol between plants. Take clones from lower branches. Leave at least 2 nodes on each branch. A mother plant can become woody. Woody stems produce fewer roots. Replace old mothers.
how to keep a cannabis mother plant
Nutrients and water
Mothers need nitrogen for leaves. Use a vegetative nutrient formula with NPK near 3-1-2 or 2-1-2. Keep pH 6.0 to 6.5 in soil. Keep pH 5.5 to 6.0 in coco or hydro. EC: 1.2 to 2.0 mS/cm. Water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry. Do not overwater. Flush every 4 weeks with pH-adjusted water. Calcium and magnesium may need supplements under LED. Check runoff EC to avoid salt buildup.
Pest and disease checks
Inspect leaves 2 times per week. Look under leaves for mites, aphids, and thrips. Use sticky traps. Quarantine new plants for 14 days. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil in veg. Do not use oil within 2 weeks of taking clones if you plan to root them. Remove infected leaves. Clean tools and trays. Powdery mildew appears with high humidity and poor airflow. Keep humidity below 70 percent.
Clone taking and recovery
Take clones every 2 to 4 weeks. Use a sharp blade. Cut at a 45 degree angle. Place cuttings in a cup of water. Dip in rooting hormone. Put in rockwool or peat plugs. Keep humidity at 70 to 80 percent for 7 to 10 days. Give 18/6 light at 100 to 200 PPFD. After roots show, reduce humidity. The mother plant needs 3 to 7 days to recover. Feed a low dose after cutting. Do not take more than 30 percent of the plant at one time.
Replacement schedule
Mothers decline with age. Signs: slow growth, small leaves, poor clone rooting, pests. Replace a mother every 3 to 6 months. Keep a backup clone from each mother. Label plants with dates. Track clone success. A mother plant is a tool, not a forever plant. In legal states, keep plant counts within state limits. Check local rules.