Unbox immediately. Clones are stressed from shipping and need attention within minutes, not hours. Leaving a box sealed on the counter for a few hours can cost you cuttings.

Inspect each cutting for yellowing, wilting, pests, or damaged leaves. Light stress is normal. Severe damage is not. Get them under low intensity light right away — fluorescent tubes or a dimmed LED at 18 to 24 inches is plenty. Full veg light this early will cook them.

Set the environment to a clone's happy zone. Keep the tent or dome at 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit with 70 to 80 percent humidity. A standard humidity dome with a few vent holes works. Without a dome, plan on misting twice a day for the first three days.

Do not water heavily on day one. The rooting medium should be damp, not soaked. Give them 24 to 48 hours to recover before introducing any nutrients, and keep feedings at quarter strength for the first week. Transplant once you see vigorous new growth at the top — that's the signal roots are pulling their weight.