You don’t need to use rooting hormone for cuttings. But when it is used correctly on plants that are commonly a challenge to propagate, it causes a plant cutting to develop roots quicker (it takes two to eight weeks to work) and they will be more robust than cuttings that don’t have the hormone advantage. Most gardeners use rooting hormone primarily on ornamental plants and to propagate succulents. You can purchase rooting hormone at local garden centers or order it online from a garden supply company.
Which Cuttings Can You Use?
The rooting hormone works on a variety of cuttings, including new growth, woody stems, leaves, and roots to dramatically increases the odds of successful propagation. If the plant produces blooms, wait until the blooms fade before taking the cutting. You can use rooting hormone on a stump of an established plant to initiate root branching. But never give a new or established plant too much rooting hormone or it can damage the root system. Rooting new plants from parents requires patience, and the cuttings are fragile before the root system develops. In general, keep the planting medium moist but not wet and provide light but no direct sun.
Using Rooting Hormone on a Stem Cutting
Working With Leaf Cuttings
Some plants, such as many succulents, don’t have stems. However, you can propagate them through leaf cuttings. Depending on the leaf structure, apply the rooting hormone to the part of the leaf that was closest to the center of the plant and cover it with a soilless potting mix. Push the leaf partway into the mix. If the leaf has a short stem, as is the case with African violets, dip the stem in rooting hormone and plant it in the potting soil just like you do with stem cuttings, by sinking the stem up to the leaf into the potting mix. In some cases, it is necessary to cover the backside of the leaves with the rooting hormone, lay them on top of the moist soilless mix, and lightly press down until the leaf touches the potting medium. Keep all rooting plants out of the direct sun until they have developed a robust root system.
Working With Root Cuttings
You can put rooting hormone on root cuttings. Root cuttings are just that: pieces of the root of a parent plant that will eventually produce a new plant. Fall is the best time of year to take root cuttings so that the root cutting has the entire winter to produce a new plant in time for spring.
