> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:26:45 -0700 (PDT), Frank yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> [snipt]
>

>>> just take one bud at a time??? (so many questions)

>

>>Trimming the buds and putting them into a paper
>>grocery bag to dry slowly, then into a jar to cure,
>>works, too. Cut off the stems at least to speed
>>drying by giving the moisture more places to
>>leave. Trimming the leaves is up to you.
>>Some think they guard the fragile trichomes
>>when they close up, like a natural wrapper.

>
> Of course that's the way I've bought them - with leaves and stems and
> sometimes seeds :)
>
>
>

>>>>>>Specifically, razors are generally best because they cut rather than
>>>>>>crush. I am actually much more dangerous with scissors than a blade
>>>>>>cause I often inadvertently get too much between the blade.

>

>>>>> I have carpal tunnel syndrome - my right hand is not to strong or too
>>>>> steady (apparently!) so I think I'll try the scissors and see if I
>>>>> don't do better that the razor blade.

>

>>>>Just make sure they are super sharp.

>

>>> Well, I have a sharpening steel for my kitchen knives - cripes, I
>>> could hurt myself ! LOL

>

>>Steels don't really sharpen a knife, they realign (and work-harden)
>>the edge after it's been bent over by normal use. Abrasives
>>sharpen, by removing steel. Wet-dry sandpaper wrapped around
>>small blocks of wood, like spring clothes pin halves, make a
>>good substitute for diamond files or expensive oil stones.
>>600 grit will give you a razor edge. Auto stores like Pep Boys
>>sell grits way down to 2,000 which will produce a nicely
>>sharpened mirror -finished edge.

>
> I didn't know that about steels. I'll get the sand paper - and a box
> of band aids :)
>

>>To sharpen scissors, file only the bevel, never the
>>back of the blades. Remove the burr by opening and
>>closing the scissors a few times. Normally, you
>>maintain the factory bevel angle to keep the edge
>>durable, but for turning cuticle scissors into
>>bonsai scissors, lay the bevel back to between
>>30 and 45 degrees. The edge will be plenty durable,
>>since you're only cutting soft, green stems, but
>>it'll shear through cleanly withoug crushing, like a
>>razor blade.

>
> And I never thought of bonsai when doing this. I actually have a book
> about that and would not have thought to apply what I read there -
> thanks!
>
>
>

>>> [snipt]

>

>>>>> I got a powder at the local garden store - is the gel superior - I'll
>>>>> have to get it on line.

>

>>>>Gel is superior because it seals the cutting preventing embolisms and
>>>>reducing the odds of infection. Powder does work, particularly its ok
>>>>for soil. Its also a little easier to work with in some ways.
>>>>Personally, I would just stick with the powder since you have it
>>>>already. Your needs don't merit buying Gel at this point I think.

>

>>> At the rate I'm going, this stuff will last a while but I'll buy the
>>> gel when I need to replace it.

>

>>Rootone F or equivalent is cheap and sold in supermarkets. As
>>long as I don't do something stupid like taking off the humidity
>>dome a week early, I get 95%% successful takes. Olvia's cloning
>>gel works a *little* better, but it costs ten times as much
>>and I have to drive 30 miles across town through at least
>>five open air crack markets to get it.

>
> How long do you leave the domes on? Now keep in mind that I'm using
> clear flower vases (a real amateur operation). I left them on the
> first two clones for a month even though two weeks was what the video
> said. I've got several under glass right now - started 10 days or so
> ago. They're all green and standing upright but look quite fragile
> yet. It's so not humid here that I thought three weeks or a month
> would give them some protection from the heat?
>
> [snipt]
>

>>>>Yes, that's a decent approach. FYI, Jumpstart is b1, humic acid and
>>>>seaweed extract.

>

>>> Yes, I looked it up. It's on my want list at HTG Supply. Was quite
>>> happy with my last order from them so will get it coming soon.

>

>>Shultz transplant solution is B1 and phosphorus enriched. Never
>>seen a plant fail with it -- or without it, for that matter.

>
> Will gather some things up when I get a payday :)
>
> Thank you for your help too. I never realized there was help on this
> subject just for the asking. You guys are great!
>
> MK