- Clones seem to exhibit shorter
internode length (distance between the
leaves) which means that the garden
has shorter, stouter plants. - The exact genetic make-up of a
particular plant is easily preserved.
This means that the characteristics of a
super-plant or other novel specimen
can be continued.
There are also disadvantages to growing
clones:
- All of the plants from a single clone
mother yield the same product. There
is no variation. Gardeners growing for
personal consumption often wish to
grow several different varieties. - There is no genetic progression. Since
no breeding is taking place, the genetic
line remains static. There are no
surprises and no new finds. Using
clones, there is no way of genetically
adapting a line to a particular
environment.
HOW CLONES ARE MADE
Cuttings are taken from soft green
tissue because the drier, woody sections of
the plant do not root as easily. Sections