What is the best time to use rooting hormones?
Typically, low concentrations of rooting hormones are used for herbaceous softwood cuttings, which are taken in summer and root quickly, and high concentrations are used for woody hardwood cuttings, which are taken in winter and take longer to develop roots. Rooting hormone comes in powder, liquid, or gel form. Rooting hormone isn’t essential, but it helps challenging cuttings develop roots quicker and more robustly, usually within two to eight weeks. It’s often used for ornamental plants and succulents.Rooting hormones can be used to help roots form from branch cuttings as well as rooting stem cuttings. You can also use rooting hormone powder on a plant’s stumps to encourage rooting and promote lateral branching.Auxin, a naturally occurring plant hormone, stimulates root formation. Several synthetic forms of auxin are sold as “rooting hormone. Though some plants will root readily without treatment, application of rooting hormone to the base of the cutting will often improve your chance for success.Willow Water Justin Hancock, a horticulturist for Costa Farms, recommends this as a DIY rooting hormone that actually deserves its reputation as an effective alternative. That’s because willows naturally contain an auxin called indole-3-acetic acid that supports plant growth.
What is the benefit of using rooting hormones?
Rooting hormone is a tool you can use to encourage a cutting of a plant’s stem and foliage to start producing root cells. Plants do this naturally, and while some plants can root themselves easily when you just stick them in a glass of water, others need a little chemical encouragement. Cinnamon as a rooting agent is as useful as willow water or hormone rooting powder. A single application to the stem when you plant the cutting will stimulate root growth in almost every plant variety. Give your cuttings a quick start with the help of cinnamon powder.