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Best Cloning Machines For Plant: Reviews

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Best Cloning Machines

There are times when you’ll discover an amazing plant that has that perfect color you like, a high fruit yield and/or resistance to pests. Whatever characteristic it may have, you’d want to preserve it. You’d need an exact genetic copy. In short, you need to clone it.

Plant cloning machines have been designed to help gardeners have a higher success rate in cloning their plants than the conventional cutting technique. These may be square or circular boxes that can hold a pump, a source of water and nutrients and a way of getting that mixture to the cuttings.

Aside for a more efficient distribution of water, oxygen and nutrients, plant cloning machines also decrease plant damage from pests, disease and other contaminants compared to traditional methods. While others opt to DIY their own plant cloning machine, due to space or budget restraints, there are many plant cloning machines available in the market for you to choose from.

Best Plant Cloning Machines Review

1. Clone King 25 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine

The Clone King produces Aeroponic Cloning Machines that come in the 25, 36 and 64 sites. This review only covers the 25 Site but all are essentially the same. The only difference is the size and the number of clones you can grow at a time.

The Clone King 25 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine uses aeroponic cloning technique where inplant cuttings are placed in neoprene inserts and are suspended in mid-air.Once placed in the machine, they are then sprayed with aeroponic mist that is highly-oxygenated.

The size of the reservoir is 14 x 14 x 13 inches making it small enough to put in the corner of your shed or green house.

This aeroponic cloning machine boasts a Spray Manifold that has 13 Jet Mist Sprayers, allowing great spray coverage only Clone King 25 can offer in this size. They also give you ViaAqua Submersible Water Pump, inclusive of a one-year warranty for the unit.

This top of the line pump has a 315 GPH (Gallons per Hour) capacity. The combination of the two makes the spray coverage of the Clone King 25 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine unmatched.

Due to the efficiency of the pump and spray system, their website state that you only need to add water. No hormones, nutrient mixes or other compounds needed, making the Clone King 25’s system completely organic and natural.

The Clone King Aeroponic Cloning Machine warns against the use of humidity domes as it reduces your success rates.

The Clone King 25 is easy to assemble and simple to use, with people completing the system within 5 to 10 minutes and many proving the company’s claims of 100% success rate to be true and a great value for their money.

2. TurboKlone T24D Aeroponic Cloning System

The TurboKlone Aeroponic Cloning System is an aeroponic cloning machine that comes in 4 models depending on the number of sites: T24D Turbo Mini, T48D KlassicKloner, T96D Klone Machine and T144D The Mothership.

Unlike other aeroponic cloning machines in the market, TurboKlone has a patented fan system. This ensures constant oxygen circulates in the growing chamber. This fan technology also acts as a cooling system, preventing high temperatures (often caused by the heating pump) that can damage the plant roots.

The TurboKlone T24D also offers a rounded design for their reservoir. The curved design is said to give the machine greater resilience and strength. It is also easier to clean than other containers whose angular designs make for a tight spot where bacteria can grow.

It also comes with its own humidity dome. The dome is said to prevent leaf transpiration as well as initial transplant shock. It is able to lock in moisture that your clones need especially for those who are living in dry and arid environments.

Like other aeroponic cloning systems, it comes with a water pump (250 GPH for T24D, 450 GPH for T48D and, T96D and 650 GPH for the T144D) modified to fit the reservoir of each model (14 x 10 x 18 inches for the T24D up to 21 x 9 x 45 inches for the T144D).

Many have attested to have experienced 85-90% success rate, while some reached 100% in using TurboKlone. Reviewers found the product to be very easy to use.

You will need to buy growth and/or nutrient mixtures and agents separately like CloneX.

3. Hydro West CloneBucket 1.0 SM, 8 sites

The Hydro West CloneBucket uses the aeroponic cloning method like the machines mentioned above. The main difference of the CloneBucket 1.0 is that it uses a durable black bucket that prevents algae growth. The absence of sharp corners also allows for easy cleaning.

The 97 GPH pump that is included in the package also has a built-in pre-filter that makes sure the sprayers won’t be clogged with plant debris.

Like other systems, the Hydro West CloneBucket comes with its own CloneBucket 1.0 Spray Unit and 8 (1 5/8 inches) neoprene inserts. The lid has 8 sites, equidistant to the center, where the neoprene collar (together with the cuttings) are placed.

Another helpful addition of the Hydro West CloneBucket 1.0 package are samples of Vita Grow Nutrients and Vita Grow Rooting Compound.

Coupled with detailed guidelines, the CloneBucket 1.0 system boasts of great root development for your clones that will be visible in as early as 5-7 days as well as a 100% success rate.

The simplistic design of the CloneBucket 1.0 makes it very easy to use. And with 8″ X 8″ X 8″ inches in total dimensions, it’s also portable and take up little space. This plant cloning machine also falls in the low cost range, so it won’t break the bank.

However, it has been mentioned that the CloneBucket 1.0’s design is lackluster and may as well have been a DIY project. Still, for the price, it’s not a bad deal, especially to those who don’t have the time or ability to make their own cloning machine.

4. PowerGrow Systems Deluxe Cloning Bucket 21-site

Another plant cloning machine in the market is the PowerGrow Deluxe Cloning Bucket 21. It also uses the effective aeroponic and hydroponic methods and is able to hold up to 21 cuttings. The features of this Cloning Bucket make it efficient for those who are looking to work on big projects.

The Deluxe Cloner has 3.5-gallon reservoir that is FDA approved, a hydroponic pump with 171 GPH capacity whose pressure is adjustable and uses suction to stay in place inside the bucket. The pump also includes a 1 year warranty for the customer’s convenience.

The Deluxe Cloner also includes 5 360° spray nozzles that ensures complete coverage when spraying your cuttings. The 21 neoprene collars provided in the system are resistant to fungal and bacterial growth and best of all, are reusable.

The Power Grow Cloner Bucket system also includes a jar of 0.25 oz. Rootech Cloning Gel that provides rooting hormones, vitamins and protects against disease and fungi.

A complete set of instructions are also included in the package ensuring ease of use for customers. A lot have reported 100% success rate at their first attempt at using the plant cloning machine. The easy setup and complete step-by-step guide is one of this product’s buying points.

However, its affordability brings into question the quality of the materials. Some have reported problems regarding the fit of the lid while others have mentioned broken spray heads. Although these reports are true, it’s still best to check the product yourself before buying.

Buying Guide for Plant Cloning Machines

With a lot of aeroponic cloning machines available, choosing the best cloning machines for your plants all boils down to the following:

1) Number of Sites – For some, it’s not about the quantity, but the quality. An 8-site plant cloning machine with a 100% success rate may be enough for a starting cloner. Then again, if you’re growing clones for business purposes and need a higher yield, the best plant cloner would be the one with the most number of sites, even if it has less than a 100% success rate.

In terms of both success rate and site availability, the best choice would be the Clone King 25 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine. With its 25 sites and efficient pump and spray system, it’s a good start for the avid cloner.

Another option when you’re first trying out plant cloning machines is to choose the brand or model that supports expandability. This way, should you ever want to upgrade your number of sites, it would cost less since you won’t need to buy another machine. Brands with expandable kits are a lot pricier initially, though.

2) Maintenance – One thing to consider when buying an aeroponic and hydroponic system is its upkeep. Some may not have the time to keep checking if the pumps or nozzles are clogged with plant debris, which happens in a system. You’d also have to clean the reservoir to prevent any contamination or growth.

You’d most likely prefer a plant cloning machine that has working filters and a reservoir that’s easy to clean without hard to reach corners. If so, the best cloning machine for low maintenance upkeep would be Hydro West CloneBucket 1.0 SM, 8 sites.

However, maintenance also means making sure the system is durable and resilient against internal and external factors, this includes temperatures. Leakage has been a reported problem in the pump mechanism of plant cloners.

With this in mind, the durable and curved design of the TurboKlone T24D as well as its innovative fan system takes the cake.

3) System Size – Bear in mind that an entire plant cloning system would need a source of light, plug for the pump and protection from external stress. Sufficient area for the system is required especially when you’re after the greater number of sites so take note of the dimensions.

It’s not only the size of the system but also the size of individual elements of the plant cloner that’s important. Some have commented on the proximity of the sites to one another. If you’re a careful worker, you might not mind the closeness of one root system to another. This factor is entirely subjective and dependent on the gardener.

4) Accessories and Additional Purchases – All the brands offer additional accessories that may interest customers, from extra neoprene inserts to replacement parts to customized orders. Some offer their own nutrient mixtures of root growth hormones for purchasing.

But if you are the type who don’t want boosters, the Clone King 25 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine would be the best choice as it only requires regular water to be put in the system and already comes in a complete package.

5) Ease of Use – The plant cloners listed above are already easy to assemble, usually taking only a couple of minutes to set-up. If you’re not a seasoned cloner, a detailed and readily understandable set of instructions is a must. The CloneBucket 1.0 even goes one step further by printing the instructions on the bucket itself so you won’t lose it.

6) Value for Your Money – For those with budget restraints and want to offset the cost of the plant cloning machines, the cheapest choice is not the best choice.

Both bucket type plant cloning machines have had reported issues and for the price, you could already buy the materials yourself and build your own plant cloner.

For this, either the TurboKlone T24D or the CloneKing 25 would be a good choice.

A Guide to Using Plant Cloning Machine

If you’re still not satisfied with the options above, it’s helpful to know exactly how a cloning machine works that way you can assess if the product is matching your standards for each procedure of the plant cloning process.

Step 1: Setting up your machine

Follow the instructions on how to assemble your plant cloning machine. It should not take more than a few minutes.

Fill the reservoir with water. Place the pump and the manifold. Make sure it’s stable. Test if the spray covers the entire lid. A system that has good spray coverage ensures that all the clones put into the system get equal amounts of water, oxygen and nutrients.

Step 2: Setting up your cloning environment

As the CloneKing stated, you don’t require a humidity dome but some systems come with one anyway. The dome helps in maintaining the temperature and moisture content above your system.

However, it is better to pay closer attention to the temperature below, or where your roots systems will develop. Some monitor pH levels as well. The fan system of TurboKlone helps to prevent the rise of temperatures, as stated before but also ensure the circulation of fresh air.

As for light source, your cuttings would not need much light and a few grow lights would suffice.

Step 3: Preparing Cuttings to place in the machine

Different plants need different ways to obtain cuttings. Some are need to be cut at an angle for optimal root development. Some are need to be cut just below a leaf node. Cuttings can be in different sizes so the size of the inserts and holes of the system are worth noting down.

Place the cutting in the neoprene collar/inserts with approximately 2 inches of stem just below the insert so the mister system below will surely affect it.

Step 4: Caring for your cuttings

It’s also worth noting that you should have a system where it’s easy for you to access and care for your cuttings. At first, they would be droopy as they adjust to being rootless and would stand up eventually.

At around two days, bumps or small roots would start to form. White roots mean healthy roots. If the roots are brown the temperature may be too high.

Make the necessary adjustments in temperature, pH levels and add nutrient mixtures should you wish. Better check for any unwanted growth in and around the system as well. Although plant cloning machines are sterile, contaminants may still get in. Others add a cleansing agent like Clear Rez.

After about a week, root system should be thriving. Some may wish to transplant the clones but others may wait for secondary roots to form first.

Some change the water in the system every week or so. Others may choose to add to the water left in the reservoir.

At around ten days, the secondary roots should have formed and the cloning process is complete. Transplanting at this time would be easier since the root system is already well developed.

Step 5: Cleaning up

After removing the clones, it’s time to clean and sterilize your plant cloning machine. Clean the reservoir thoroughly with any cleaning agent. Some brands indicate that they’re neoprene inserts are reusable but you may still opt to buy new ones.

We hope this guide has been helpful to you in learning about plant cloning and plant cloning machines.

Conclusion

The four products mentioned above are our pick for the best cloning machines considering the quality, success rate, affordability and ease of use. For many users, the best cloning machine is the TurboKlone T24D Aeroponic Cloning System.

Aside from having the submersible pump, spray nozzles and manifold, its unique fan system allows for a cooler plant cloner. It has a durable design that’s made up of sturdier material and easy to clean. Its 24 sites are enough for many users.The company also aims to give the best customer after care and are available for follow-up questions and machine guidelines.

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