Buzz
Rooting hormones aid in the development of stronger, healthier roots for cuttings, promoting robust root systems. While various rooting powders and liquids are available in garden centers, you can easily create your own with ingredients you likely already have at home. Honey or aloe vera help prevent bacterial and fungal growth on plant shoots, while aspirin or willow branches release growth hormones that stimulate faster root growth.
Steps
Making a Rooting Hormone with Honey
Boil 2 cups (480 ml) of water, then reduce the heat. Pour tap water into a pot and place it on the stove over high heat. Wait until the water reaches a vigorous boil. Once it boils, turn the heat down so that it simmers gently before proceeding to the next step.
- You can also use purified or filtered water if you're concerned about impurities in tap water.
Stir 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of honey into water and wait for the mixture to cool down. Use standard store-bought honey to create the rooting hormone. Add the honey to the simmering water and stir thoroughly with a long-handled spoon. Once the honey is completely dissolved, remove from heat and allow the water to cool down completely.
- Honey has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, in addition to helping branches develop strong roots.
Tip: Cover the pot while waiting for the solution to cool to prevent contamination.
Soak the cuttings in the honey solution for 2-3 hours before planting. Once the rooting hormone solution has fully cooled, immerse the cuttings in the liquid so that the lower 2.5-5 cm of the stem is submerged. Let the cuttings soak for at least 2-3 hours before planting to ensure they absorb the solution.
- You can also dip the bottom of the cuttings directly into honey before planting them to add an extra layer of protection against bacteria and fungi.
Use aloe vera as a rooting hormone
Use a spoon to scrape the gel from the aloe vera leaf. Take a healthy aloe vera leaf and cut it with a sharp, clean knife. Place the leaf on a cutting board, with the pointed end facing you. Press the back of a spoon onto the pointed end of the leaf and push firmly toward the other end of the leaf. The gel will be pushed out of the cut end and onto the board.
- Aloe vera gel helps protect the cuttings from bacterial and fungal infections in the soil.
- You can also use store-bought aloe vera gel, as long as it doesn't contain additional additives.
Crush the aloe vera gel in a cup until it becomes a liquid. Scoop the gel from the aloe vera leaf into a small cup and stir with a spoon to break up any large chunks. Use the back of the spoon to mash the gel into a liquid consistency. Once the aloe vera gel can flow like water, it is ready to be used as a rooting hormone.
- If you’re unable to achieve a liquid consistency, add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water to the gel.
Dip the cutting’s tip into the aloe vera gel before planting. When you’re ready to plant the cutting, dip the freshly cut end of the stem into the aloe vera gel. Rotate the cutting to ensure the gel evenly coats the tip before placing it in the soil. The aloe vera gel will form a protective barrier around the cut, preventing bacteria or fungi from entering the cutting.
Making a rooting hormone with aspirin
Crush one uncoated aspirin tablet into a fine powder. Use a regular 325 mg aspirin tablet without any coating. Place the tablet into a mortar and pestle, then twist the pestle to crush the tablet. Press down firmly with the pestle to break the tablet into smaller pieces. Continue grinding until the tablet becomes a fine powder.
- You can purchase a mortar and pestle at any pharmacy.
- Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which helps prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi on the cutting, encouraging the formation of roots.
Another method: If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can also use a zip-lock bag and a heavy object to crush the aspirin.
Mix the crushed aspirin with 1 cup (240 ml) of distilled water. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of distilled water into a glass or container, then add the aspirin powder. Stir the powder in the water until it dissolves completely. If there are any remaining chunks, let the solution sit for about an hour, then stir and check again.
- You can also add an uncrushed aspirin tablet to the water, but it will take longer to dissolve.
- Tap water can be used as well, but the aspirin may be harder to dissolve.
Soak the cuttings in the aspirin solution for 2-3 hours before planting. Place the freshly cut ends of the branches into the solution, ensuring the tips are submerged at least 2.5 cm. Let the cuttings soak for about 2-3 hours, allowing them to absorb the aspirin solution to help them grow strong once planted.
Make a rooting hormone solution from willow tree branches
Gather 2 cups (300 g) of young willow branches. Collect willow branches in the spring when the new shoots are growing. Look for branches and shoots that are smaller in diameter than a pencil to create the rooting hormone. Use garden shears or a sharp knife to cut the willow branches at a 45-degree angle to prevent rot.
- You can use any type of willow tree to make the rooting hormone.
- Avoid using dead branches, as they do not contain any natural rooting hormones.
Alternative method: You can also use bark from mature willow trees. If you choose to use bark, gather 3 cups (400 g), as bark contains fewer rooting hormones.
Cut the willow branches into 2-3 cm pieces. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to trim the willow branches into small sections. Cut them approximately 2-3 cm long to make them easier to soak later.
- Willow trees contain salicylic acid and indolebutyric acid, which are natural growth hormones that help the cuttings root quickly when planted.
- If you are using willow bark instead of branches, cut the bark into similarly sized pieces.
Place the willow pieces into boiling water and soak for 24 hours. Boil 4 liters of water on high heat until it reaches a rolling boil. Turn off the heat immediately and add the willow pieces to the water. Cover the pot and let the willow soak in the water for 24 hours. During this time, the hormones from the willow will seep out and blend into the water.
- Adjust the recipe if you want to make less rooting hormone, but maintain the ratio of 2 cups (300 g) of willow branches to 4 liters of water.
Pour the solution from the pot into a sealed glass jar. Once the solution has cooled, carefully pour it into a different container. Avoid letting the willow pieces fall into the jar, as the solution has already absorbed all the nutrients from the willow. After transferring the solution, seal the jar and store it in the fridge, where it will last up to 2 months.
- You can discard the used willow pieces or compost them after they've been used to make the hormone solution.
Soak the cuttings in the willow solution for 2-3 hours before planting. Before planting the cuttings, submerge the freshly cut ends in the willow solution for at least 2 hours to allow them to absorb the nutrients. After soaking, place the cuttings into the soil to start rooting.
- You can also use the willow solution to water the cuttings during their first month to encourage strong root growth and healthy leaves.
Tip
- You can also dip the cut ends of your plant cuttings in cinnamon powder before planting to prevent mold and other pathogens from taking hold.
- Consider diluting 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of apple cider vinegar with 4 liters of water to make another type of rooting hormone. Be careful though, as too much vinegar will harm your cuttings.
What You Will Need
Making Rooting Hormone with Honey
- Honey
- Pot
- Stove
- Mixing Spoon
Using Aloe Vera as a Rooting Hormone
- Fresh Aloe Vera
- Knife
- Spoon
- Cutting Board
- Cup
Creating Rooting Hormone with Aspirin
- Uncoated Aspirin
- Distilled Water
- Cup
Making Rooting Solution from Willow Tree
- Willow Branches or Bark
- Sharp Knife or Garden Shears
- Pot
- Stove
- Glass Jar with Lid
