Rooting Hormone

[Attmos]

With all the talk I've seen here, and a tiny bit of personal experience.. I'm wondering if rooting hormone is actually necessary.?
Almost seems like, if the process is done correctly, the hormone isn't needed.


I ask because I intend to attempt several cuttings, push my experience level up a notch so to speak, and it seems like hormone isn't really necessary.

 

[Wulfskaar]

I think it depends on the species and conditions. Some species definitely don't need it.

I also think using rooting hormone will increase the chances of success.

As for the type, I prefer the liquid over the powder, especially for air layers. It was just easier for me to use.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

It varies by species, a lot. Also which one of the big three you want to use: IBA, IAA, NAA.. Liquid or powder can make all the difference too. All three have a better working on some plants, and a decreased effectivity in others. Some plants require slow release from powder, some plants prefer immediate penetration from the liquid stuff.

Species wise, willows for instance don't need it at all, junipers neither, but most other plants can benefit from a one time application of rooting hormone.

But you're right, if the process is done right and the timing is too, usually the plant can root on its own. However, this is also largely size dependent; a bigger branch might require addition of hormones to root before it collapses on itself, a smaller branch usually doesn't.

There are all kinds of root stimulators and enzymes out there that promise golden mountains but I've never seen reliable results. Nor have I seen plants treated with them, perform better than the ones without in terms of yield output (growth above the soil).

In short, the answer is "Generally you don't need it, but there are plants out there that are notoriously difficult to root, or your timing might be off, in those cases rooting hormones are a great tool to have."

 

[rockm]

If it is applied CORRECTLY it is beneficial. For cuttings from non root tissue it works

Using it on cut roots to induce more roots is useless, redundant and possibly detrimental

 

[Russ1]

I guess it depends on what you are trying to root. Soft tissue plants (jade, P Afra, etc) could be burned by a strong hormone.
Willows need no hormone and can be rooted in water which can be used to root other plants.
I've rooted azaleas in water but they root faster and root more successfully with hormone.
The rooting media makes a big difference as well. Lately I've been using 80% perlite and 20% coco, some times I use 10% coco and 10% chunky peat with the perlite.
I find that the perlite from the big box stores works well but have used coarse sand and trying Akadama ATM.
Yes, and timing is important, spring for most like may for me.

 

[Attmos]

If it is applied CORRECTLY it is beneficial. For cuttings from non root tissue it works

Using it on cut roots to induce more roots is useless, redundant and possibly detrimental

Never considered that someone might use it on a root cutting...
Kind of a funny thought really. lol

 

[Attmos]

Ok well, my cuttings will include ERC, Rose of Sharon, spruce, rose, holly, and elm.

 

[Carol 83]

I use Clonex but not with any of the species you mentioned.

 

[EHA]

In South Africa they sell rooting hormone based on increasing concentration based on what you are trying to root, for example No 1: Softwood cuttings, No 2: Semi-hardwood cuttings, No 3: Hardwood cuttings. I have seen that many people make the mistake of thinking more is better. When it comes to plant hormones, less is more. Using a too high concentration of rooting hormone could and will kill the tissue before it can callus and form roots.

 

[doc spring _work]

Generally speaking speaking different plants root differently, I like using this chart as a general idea of how hard to root something is 1# being the easiest 8 (generally) being the hardest

 

[MiguelMC]

I think it depends on the plant. Some species root easily without help, but woody cuttings or harder stems benefit a lot from hormones. I use it mainly for stubborn stuff like roses or citrus. For softer plants, I skip it.

 

[Shibui]

Definitely depends on species and how easily they produce roots. Some plants will root quickly and easily without added hormones. Others root quicker and more reliably with hormone. Some species seem almost impossible to root without added hormones.
Years ago I questioned the need so did a side by side trial with Chinese elm. Half a box treated, half not. The treated cuttings had higher rooting %, also rooted quicker than untreated and grew quicker and bigger. My take from that single trial was rooting hormone does work and is even beneficial with relatively easy to strike plants.

 

[Attmos]

Generally speaking speaking different plants root differently, I like using this chart as a general idea of how hard to root something is 1# being the easiest 8 (generally) being the hardest

That's awesome thank you very much.

 

[Attmos]

I think it depends on the plant. Some species root easily without help, but woody cuttings or harder stems benefit a lot from hormones. I use it mainly for stubborn stuff like roses or citrus. For softer plants, I skip it.

Roses are tough to root?

 

[Russ1]

Roses are tough to root?

Not really, I rooted a couple last year. Just give them enough humidity and warmth. I did mine in the perlite/coco mix in a clear plastic solo cup with another upside down on top.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Never considered that someone might use it on a root cutting...
Kind of a funny thought really. lol

My first year, I dug up an oak tree with one huge taproot and almost no feeder roots. Before learning more, it seemed logical to put rooting hormone powder all over the taproot as I potted it up. It would have died anyways, but the large amount of rooting hormone may have made it worse.

 

[MalsRFun in TN]

I'm a novice with cuttings but accidentally did a hormone test with four pots of Kashima Japanese maple cuttings this year, because I just forgot to use the hormones on two of the pots. I used the perlite/coir mix. I couldn't tell a difference in success rate, but it's an easy to propagate maple.

With all my cuttings this past season, my lesson learned was that you are juggling lots of factors and hormones is the least important.

 

[Canada Bonsai]

I'm a novice with cuttings but accidentally did a hormone test with four pots of Kashima Japanese maple cuttings this year, because I just forgot to use the hormones on two of the pots. I used the perlite/coir mix. I couldn't tell a difference in success rate, but it's an easy to propagate maple.

With all my cuttings this past season, my lesson learned was that you are juggling lots of factors and hormones is the least important.

Kashima (and Koto Hime) are by far the easiest to propagate by cutting among the Japanese Maples that we commonly use for bonsai; the majority of other cultivars will show a difference in success rate when comparing with VS without hormone. Some cultivars will have extremely low success rates without hormone.

As an aside, I have been playing with fine tuning the hormone dosage for different species and cultivars, and this has had an observable impact. I have not posted much about this yet, because I want to test it for a few more years to rule out other variables.