In today\u2019s post, we will look into 10 different natural rooting hormones or root stimulating substances that can be easily used for plant cloning \u2013 that\u2019s multiplying plants from cuttings with great success rate! We will also show you how you can make the most powerful formula by mixing one or more of these substances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In horticulture, Cloning means making duplicate plants out of branch or stem cuttings from a mother plant. It is a great way to multiply a plant, specially if it\u2019s a rare variety or very precious to you or if you wanna \u00a0gift some plants to your friends and neighbours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The simplest way of cloning a plant is just pinching a small\nbranch or stem cutting and inserting it into the soil. But, the success rate of\nthis cutting is generally low. If you want\nto increase the success rate, then you need to follow certain simple rules to\naccelerate the root formation and increase the success rate of cloning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most plant cuttings will naturally produce their own rooting hormones after a short period of time. Actually, many plants can be easily cloned by simply placing the cutting in some clean water and following some simple rules. You can check a detailed article on the 10 Golden rules of cloning.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rooting hormones can be natural or synthetic chemicals and\ncontain Indole butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (IBA). IBA is the\nnatural plant auxin or hormone responsible for the stimulation or the formation\nof roots. If you are purchasing these commercial rooting hormone powders, make\nsure you check composition on the label to contain atleast one of these\ncompounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now lets list out the best 8 natural rooting hormones or\nagents that can be used to accelerate rooting in cuttings and increase the\nsuccess rate of cloning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Your Own Saliva:<\/strong>\nNot joking! Nothing advanced about this. Human or animal saliva is definitely\nan anti-bacterial and anti-fungal for plants. The main idea is to prevent the\ncutting from rot and stimulate the root formation. This very first step to\nprevent rot can be achieved by just dipping your cutting insertion end into\nsaliva and then insert into the potting soil. This is definitely like Something\nis better than Nothing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Apple Cider\nVinegar:<\/strong> This is another proven natural rooting hormone stimulant. Add 5\ndrops in half a cup of water and mix well. Do not use more than this quantity,\nbecause it can have an opposite effect and may prevent rooting and also vinegar\nis a natural weed killer in strong concentrations. 6. Cinnamon Powder:<\/strong> Cinnamon is an\nanti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent that will definitely double your cloning\nsuccess rate. Make sure the cinnamon bark is finely powdered and just dip the\ncutting into this powder for about an\ninch and then insert into soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Willow Bark:<\/strong>\nThe bark of willow tree contains two important compounds \u2013 salicin and Indole\nbutyric acid. Salicin is chemically similar to aspirin (which is acetylsalicylic\nacid). And Indolebutyric acid (IBA) is a plant hormone that stimulates root\ngrowth as already discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are lucky and have a willow tree around you, you can\nmake a willow tea. 4. Honey:<\/strong> Honey is another natural\nantiseptic and anti-fungal agent which helps these little cuttings to\nremain healthy and strong. Remember pure honey is said to\nhave a more beneficial effect than the processed bottle honey. Do not directly\ndip your cuttings into honey because this can attract many insects and ants. So,\nthe commonly used recipe for using honey as rooting agent is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Add 1 teaspoon honey to 2 cups of boiling\nwater or half teaspoon honey to 1 cup of boiling water. Do not boil after\nadding honey, just stir it well and allow it to cool down before dipping the\ncuttings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Aloe Vera Gel: <\/strong>Fresh aloe vera gel contains salicylic acid along with other useful enzymes, amino acids and minerals. \u00a0I have demonstrated this in one of my older posts.\u00a0 You can check that aloe vera experiment<\/a><\/strong> here. 2. Aspirin:<\/strong>\nThough not natural, but an inexpensive way is to use aspirin 350 mg tablet,\neither as crushed powder or dropping a tablet in a glass of water and then\ndipping the cuttings into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now! If you want to make a more powerful and potent rooting\nagent, you can mix one or more of these things and try experiment each formula\non few cuttings and see which one works best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example: Willow tea + Honey or Cinnamon + Honey or Aloe\nvera Gel + Honey and so on..<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy Gardening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nJust dip the cutting insertion end into this cup and then insert into soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nIBA hormone is present in high concentrations in the growing tips of willow\nbranches. So if you can take these cuttings and soak them in warm water, you\ncan get enough quantities of IBA hormone into this water what we call Willow\nTea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just take out the gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf and dip the cuttings into it and plant them in soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n