Cloning pumpkins during winter

Seen your interest in cloning original plants, and I am surprised it took until now for someone to think about TRYING it. I have actually done this in 1996 successfully, but let my "worthless" 325 clone die in February of 97, thinking my newer seed was more of a better quality, which I did not grow until 1998 [which produced a 322...LOL], but cloning a plant is easy if you have done this before. The actual best method is cutting off a new growing shoot with one 1 1/2 inch to 2 inch leaf, and new smaller leaves growing in the center. The stem must be cut with 2-3 inches of "meat" left below the largest leaf, and immediately after cutting it from the vine, it MUST be put in B-1 and water [mixed according to directions], then after letting it sit for 4-6 hours after cutting it from the vine, its ready to "plant". A high vermiculite and perlite soil mix is the best. Sunshine potting soil mix, mixed with 1/2 perlite and vermiculite mix [at about 70% vermiculite and 30% perlite], is good, although anything close to this mix is good. The 2-3 inches of "meat" is then quickly rolled or dipped in a good rooting compound [like Rootone], and put into the pot [a 4 or 6 inch pot works great] right after ALL of the "meat" is covered. Then the pot must be saturated until water keeps running out of the bottom holes [yes, it must drain!] with the same B-1 and water mixture After all that, a simple cool light florescent light will give it what it needs to get growing, but depending on your humidity, a plastic cover should be thrown over your set up, keeping all moisture in the growing area. If a CO2 unit is available, buy it, or use it, inside the area, and give it CO2 at least every other hour [on timers] until you notice growth. The big leaf will yellow and die most of the time right before new growth will begin. After a "new" plant begins, I'm not sure how long others would allow it to grow, or how long they would let it grow. I only let mine grow a few new sets of leaves and a few inches of vine for new cutting "meat", then did it all over again. By February, I had successfully done this 4 times before quitting this unusual method of keeping alive a "worthy" strain. But it can be done, and I am sure it will, by a patient and experienced grower!
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