| Welcome to Free Thinkers! Log in, register an account, or post as a guest. |
| Make your own rooting compound; rooting hormone from willow stems | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 17 2011, 06:41 AM (1,448 Views) | |
| yass | Mar 17 2011, 06:41 AM Post #1 |
'night owl'
  ![]](http://z6.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)
|
I heard about this at a container gardening group. They say just to get willow branches, stick them in water, then stick your cutting in that same water. I did a search and there are tons of articles. Some say to pour boiling or hot water over the chopped up willow branches some don't make it a requirement. I read it also helps transplants get established. Here is a link that doesn't indicate you have to pour hot water on the willow branches. http://www.weekendgardener.net/blog/2007/05/make-your-own-rooting-hormone-with.htm You can do your own search using the term willow rooting hormone or willow rooting compound or try other ways which will result in many different articles on the subject. Base line though is, know that you can take the tips of willow branches put them in water and use it to root other plants, roots, leaves, and cuttings. I read at several of them that it doesn't matter what kind of willow you use that they all have the indolebutyric acid which is the active ingredient that makes it work.  |
| -Love will lead | |
 |
 
|
| yass | Mar 17 2011, 06:47 AM Post #2 |
|
'night owl'
|
Here's an example page (of many, many) . I wish I could remember something I read about which end of the willow stems needed to be upside down in the water. It said something about the compound in the stems only flowing out from one end or direction. Maybe I'll look that up later. Gardenia and Rosemary Cuttings How to Propagate by Cuttings: Make Your Own Rooting Hormone Many perennials and shrubs can be easily propagated from cuttings. Even some of the more difficult plants can be increased through root cuttings if you follow a few simple guidelines. See below: Instructions Step 1 THE DAY BEFORE YOU TAKE THE CUTTINGS, fill a tub, pan or pot with propagating mixture: 1/3 soil, 1/3 sand, 1/3 spaghnum peat moss. (The soil provides nutrients, the sand provides drainage, and the peat moss increases moisture retention.) Step 2 WATER THE PROPAGATING MIXTURE THOROUGHLY, repeating several times during the day to make sure the peat has absorbed the water. (Once the peat is saturated, it will not dry out quickly and will be easily replenished.) Step 3 CUT 2 SLENDER BRANCHES FROM A WILLOW TREE. Cut the branches into 1-inch to 2-inch pieces and drop into a clean bucket of clean water. Let the willow pieces steep in this water until the following day when you take your cuttings. (Willow produces a natural rooting hormone. Steeping the willow pieces in the water allows the hormone to infuse the water and make an excellent rooting aid for your cuttings.) Step 4 ON THE DAY OF TAKING CUTTINGS, pour approximately 2 to 3 inches of willow water into a small bucket and take it with you when you get ready to take your cuttings. Step 5 USING A CLEAN, SHARP KNIFE OR CLIPPERS make cuttings approximately 6-8 inches long from desired root stock (plants you want to propagate). Step 6 REMOVE THE BOTTOM LEAVES FROM THE CUTTINGS and place the cuttings immediately into the small bucket with willow water. Step 7 ALLOW THE CUTTINGS TO STAND IN THE WILLOW WATER for 2-3 hours. The new cuttings will soak up the willow water natural rooting aid and be prepared to root very easily. Step 8 REMOVE THE CUTTINGS FROM THE BUCKET and stick the cuttings into the prepared rooting pots. Step 9 PLACE POTS WITH CUTTINGS IN BRIGHT SHADE in a protected area. Make certain that the soil never dries out. And then, depending upon the type of plant you are rooting, you will have rooted cuttings within 2 weeks to 2 months. Cuttings can then be planted in their own individual pots, or they can be moved to their permanent locations. http://www.ehow.com/how_4932352_propagate-...ng-hormone.html |
| -Love will lead | |
|
|
|
| « Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic » |
