Rooting Hormone FAQ
What does rooting hormone do?
Rooting hormone supplies auxins that stimulate cuttings to develop roots faster and more reliably, improving the success rate of propagation. Applied to the cut end before sticking, it encourages root initiation, especially on plants that root reluctantly. For propagators taking cuttings at scale, rooting hormone meaningfully raises the percentage of cuttings that successfully root.
What is the difference between powder, gel, and liquid rooting hormone?
Powder rooting hormone is dipped onto the cutting and is shelf-stable and economical. Gel coats and clings well to the cut surface. Liquid (often diluted from concentrate) allows adjustable strength for different plants. Each delivers the hormone effectively; the choice comes down to convenience, the plants being propagated, and the strength control you need.
How do I use rooting hormone correctly?
Take a clean cutting, apply hormone to the cut end, and stick it in a suitable rooting medium kept moist. Avoid contaminating the main hormone container by pouring out what you need separately. Apply only to the portion that will be buried. Proper technique, clean cuttings and correct hormone application, is what translates the hormone into improved rooting success.
Does rooting hormone strength matter for different plants?
Yes. Different plants and cutting types respond to different hormone strengths, with woody and hardwood cuttings often needing stronger concentrations than soft cuttings. Products come in strengths matched to these needs. Matching the hormone strength to the plant, softwood versus hardwood, improves results, since too weak underperforms and too strong can inhibit rooting on sensitive cuttings.
When is the best time to take cuttings and use rooting hormone?
Timing depends on the plant and cutting type: softwood, semi-hardwood, and hardwood cuttings are taken at different times of year matched to the plant's growth. Rooting hormone supports all of these. Taking cuttings at the right stage for the species, and matching the hormone strength to the cutting type, together give the best propagation results.
Can rooting hormone be ordered in bulk for propagation?
Yes. Rooting hormones in powder, gel, and liquid forms are stocked in quantities for propagation operations with volume pricing by quote. Nurseries and growers propagating at scale go through rooting hormone steadily, so ordering in volume in the strengths their crops need keeps propagation supplied through the season.
