Fall is the perfect time to propagate plants. The majority of house and garden plants are propagated via offshoots. To ensure that they root quickly and easily, a “miracle cure” comes to the rescue: rooting powder. If you don't have the root activator from the garden center at home, you can make it yourself. Luckily, there are many natural remedies that are perfect for rooting. We list 9 and explain how you can make the rooting hormone for cuttings yourself and then use it correctly.
Propagation via cuttings is perhaps the most common method when it comes to propagating plants (whether houseplants or garden plants). The new plant is identical to the mother plant.The offshoots will beEither put them in a glass with water or put them in potting soil and then form new roots after a while. For this process, plants produce auxins. These are synthesized substances that promote root formation. The auxins can be found in all parts of plants: shoots, roots, flowers and buds, although the concentration of the hormones can vary greatly from plant species to plant species.
The hormones IES, which stands for indole-3-acetic acid, an auxin hormone, and IBA, which stands for 4-(indol-3-yl)butyric acid, are particularly interesting for root formation. IES is very sensitive to light and breaks down in sunlight. That is why IBA is used for the production of preparations with rooting hormones.
Rooting hormones can accelerate root formation and are particularly useful for plants that need a lot of time to root. Plants such as ivy, philodendron, and most types of herbs and succulents can easily be propagated without rooting hormones.
The propagation of woody plants, on the other hand, is much more complicated. The use of rooting hormones is particularly useful for azalea, birch, hibiscus, holly, various types of conifers, maple, oak, pine, hydrangea and bougainvillea. Without rooting powder, the cuttings may rot before they form roots.
Root support using natural means is divided into two groups: the first are substances such as willow water, which contain auxins. The second group consists of substances such as aspirin, which do not contain hormones. However, they protect the cuttings from bacteria, fungi and other germs and prevent them from rotting.
The home remedies at a glance
But what should a rooting hormone be able to do? As the name suggests, this activates root formation in cuttings. The hormone is usually produced in powder form - so it is possible to dissolve it in water as a root aid or to apply it directly to the cuttings. It is incredibly easy to use.
Honey or honey powder as a root aid
Honey can also promote root formation in offshoots. Pour 500 ml of water into a pot, bring it to the boil and then add 1 teaspoon of honey to the water. Stir the whole thing until the honey has dissolved. Soak the interfaces of the cuttings in the honey solution and plant them.
Alternatively, you can use honey powder. In this case, simply add 1/3 teaspoon of honey powder to 500 ml of boiling water and dissolve it, stirring constantly.
Use apple cider vinegar as a root activator
Apple cider vinegar also has a positive effect on the plant. However, you can only use the vinegar very diluted, otherwise the cutting could die. It is best to dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 300 ml of water and brush the offshoots with this solution. Perfect forPropagation in a glass of watersuitable. The vinegar will protect the plant from germs.
Rooting hormone for cuttings: Make your own willow water
Willow water is a natural agent that promotes root formation and growth. You can also make willow water yourself. For this purpose you will need the bark of young branches. You will need about 300g of willow bark and twigs. Place them in a plastic bucket and pour one liter of decalcified water over them. The water should completely cover the wood and bark. If this is not the case, you can add water. Allow the twigs and bark to soak in for about 2 days. Then remove the branches. Now all that's left is to strain the willow water.
Pour some of the willow water into a vase. Place the cuttings in the vase with the cut side down. Leave the cuttings there overnight to soak. Then put them in potting soil.
Make your own rooting powder for roses from cinnamon
You can also use cinnamon powder as a rooting hormone. First, grind several cinnamon sticks or buy cinnamon powder from a health food store. Then line the work surface with baking paper and put 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder on it. Add a pinch of rock powder and a pinch of clay powder. Moisten the cut surface of the cuttings and roll them in the cinnamon powder. You can then put them in the potting soil.
Potato as a rooting aid for roses
Another variant is to put the rose cuttings in potatoes. To do this, follow these steps: Buy raw potatoes from a health food store. Cut a potato in two. Drill a small hole in each potato half. Then insert a cutting into each hole.
Make your own root aid for crops
Aloe vera gel has proven to be a very effective agent for promoting root growth in crops. There are several studies that support the positiveEffect of using the gel on grapesprove.
Make your own rooting hormone for cuttings using aspirin
If you want to make your own rooting powder, you can finely grind an aspirin tablet and add some to the water. The medication supports root formation and protects themplant from diseases, bacteria and fungi.
