I’ve 3 plants getting ready to flower, i need a 4th plant to go in with them.
Using a mother and re cloning it seems like the simplest solution, however I think i remember clones are a better option than a woody near root bound mother.
Maybe I’m mistaken it’s been a while?
I could strike a clone today root and flip it, or re pott the mother and give it a couple of weeks veging then flip
What would you do?
So I would say both have their advantages and disadvantages.
New clones will probably show better growth behavior than older mothers. They are only just starting to build up their root system and form biomass.
On the other hand, older mothers are hardened and the root system is already established. Whether I put a mother into flower would always depend on its general health.
If the roots are almost growing together, it can help to take the lady out of the pot and cut off 3-5 cm of soil from all sides and then fill it up with new soil.
i would use clones,if you have time… Unless you need to make room in the mother tent 
Ideal buddy thank you, I’m glad you confirmed that, it was knocking around in my head but only vaguely lol.
Fwiw they’re all healthy.
@m0sirys here’s a picture of them?
This could be issue, I’m limited with space and money hence the small tent, to help keep them compact I keep them in small pots and trim them frequently.
your welcome bro!
you will always find reasons for both cases overall health was always a good indicator to me.!
ok this plant can be flowered with out a prob after repotting 
they are not that old . so a little work on the roots repoot than flower :D:D:D
normaly probs will come with much older mothers
everything looking good
here a mother that was over a year old and than flowerd(is flowering). yours are looking much healthier
The plant in question is almost 2 years old.
Back left plant in the above pic
The plant above in my hand is only around 3 months old, I’ve only just harvested the mum so I’m undecided on that atm I need to smoke more lol
Many thanks.
ok close up you can see that the plant is older!
if she looks like this after two years… than i wouödn´t worry and use it for flowering, you do know your stuff. just a little roor prune and some new soil 
That’s great @m0sirys many thanks for your help and advice 
Every run, I take two clones make new moms. And throw the old moms in for flowering. Works great!!!
For a couple of years I was trying to find suitable mother’s to clone, instead of looking after 8/10 vigorous growing plants (thankless job) i started taking the clones around 4/5th week 12-12.
The clones take ages to recover which gives me enough time to grow and test the mother, if they were good I continue with them if not I’ve only nursed a clone.
I ended up re potting 2 other plants, my intention was to re pot 1 other to give me 4 plants in flower.
I’ve a 2 pot autopot module I’ve been meaning to give it try, I used a similar set up some years ago and had fairly decent results.
I do everything aquaponically… I’ve tried dirt a few times but I always mess something up an they die 🤷… But I like the idea of when you’re getting your clone, I always end up with the thankless job too.
I’m going to re pot one other, 3 to 5 was only a side step I’ve still got the same problem lol.
If I grow 6 I’ll get a bit extra and the additional wattage will help with the temperatures.
