Bubbleponics: Build a Super Cheap Bubbleponic Cloner (Homemade Hydroponics)
The strongest clones start here
Bubbleponic Cloning Systems are an easy-to-build solution for weak and weak clones. The whole system will not cost you much. If you use neorepene disks, like the ones used by EZ Clone, you will have an efficient cloning system that does not use growth medium.
The aeroponic cloner you will have after this guide can root clones in as little as 7 days with an organic rooting gel like Earth Juice Earthstock. There are many other types of rooting gels and powders. Clonex and Olivia’s are two other gels that work well.
supply list
-Storage bag
-Neorepene EZ Cloning Discs
-Air pump
-Air tube
-Air stones
-Electric drill with bit the same size as your discs.
light test your bag
If you bought a light proof bag, you can skip this step. If it is transparent or semi-transparent, you should wrap it in a reflective material. You can use Christmas wrapping paper if you don’t have access to something else. You just want to make sure no light is coming through the walls of your bag. The storage bag will be the water reservoir for your cloning system.
Use food grade HDPE plastics for your storage bag if you plan to clone consumable plants like fruits or vegetables. Food grade plastics ensure the safety of you and your family. If the cloning system is for flowers only, there is no risk since you won’t be ingesting the chemicals.
Prepare the air tube hole
Drill a hole through the side of the Bubbleponics system near the top. A half inch drill bit works fine. You can also use a soldering iron to make a small hole. It just needs to be big enough to fit the air tube attached to the air pump.
Put the air tube through the hole before connecting the air stone or pump. He puts it through the hole to check that it is big enough and to make sure the tube goes through the hole before larger objects are sealed. You can also seal the hole with a rubber washer so water doesn’t leak out if it moves.
WARNING: Burning plastic emits toxic fumes. Wear protective equipment in a well ventilated area.
Prepare the Bubbleponics System Lid
Take one of the EZ-Clone disks or Net Pots that you plan to use for your clones and trace the outer diameter on the lid of the bag. Plan them as a grid so you can maximize your space.
Start your holes in one of the corners. The number of holes you make is up to you. Remember that your clones will only need a week or two in the cloner before they are rooted and ready for transplanting. It is good practice to plan for a couple of clones that you may not need.
Extra clones allow you to pick the strongest ones and prevent yourself from not having enough. Of course, the extra clones require a Healthy Mother Plant.
Green tip: Leave a little extra space between the holes. The extra space will allow the leaves of the clone to spread out and still have access to plenty of oxygen. The point of a bubbleponic system is efficiency.
You can then insert your neoprene discs or net pots into the holes you created. This is where EZ Clone discs have an advantage over net pots. The discs can remain in the cloner when not in use to prevent light from entering the tank and causing algae growth.
Net pots do not block light properly unless they are filled with medium. You can waste enough media to fill the empty spots when you’re not using it. A smarter option is to cover the wasted part of the cloner with black and white poly or mylar.
Fill Bubbleponics System
Position the cloning system under the light you plan to use. You are now ready to fill your reservoir with water. You will want the water to be a few inches below the hole for the air tube. There must be room for the stem of your clones to hang in the dark environment with 100% humidity above the waterline.
Plug in the air pump and make sure there are plenty of bubbles appearing on the surface of the water. If you plan to use all the spaces, you’ll want an even distribution of bubbles across the entire surface of the water. It doesn’t have to be exactly even, just make sure that no gap gets too wet and no gap is extremely dry.
High humidity will ensure success in small systems of 15-20 clones. Systems of 20 to 50 clones will only need two or three oxy stones. If you need a larger clone system, you may want to consider making multiple systems of 50 clones. Having separate reservoirs will ensure that a problem in one system does not wipe out your entire propagation system.
take your cuttings