How to Grow BIG Plants
◄ Rockwool root cubes . potentially negative side effects for the environment . In high doses , it is toxic to plants , animals , and people . Therefore , under United States law , products containing NAA must be registered as pesticides with the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ).
Product labeling for any of these items should clearly display the active ingredients and you should always use them as directed by the manufacturer . Additionally , you ’ ll often be able to find Safety Data Sheets ( SDS ) online from the companies that make these products , stating safety risks , potential hazards , and all active ingredients .
Now , if you do a quick search online for rooting hormones , you ’ ll probably come across a whole slew of homemade “ natural ” options . All I can say is to be wary of myths and lore . Honey , cinnamon , vinegar , etc ., are all touted as DIY rooting hormones , but the chemical compounds called auxins that plants use to stimulate root development are not present in any of these products . Do they help the plant grow roots in some other method like preventing bad fungal growth ? Potentially , but they wouldn ’ t technically fall under the category of rooting “ hormones .”
Aloe is a great example of a product that can help prevent unwanted fungal and bacterial damage to the stems of your cuttings but does not contain auxins . Willow-water , on the other hand , is a natural solution that qualifies as a rooting hormone because willow contains IBA — the same chemical compound used in most commercially available products .
Formulations If all the rooting hormones available have essentially the same active ingredients , then what sets them apart from each other ? First , the amount of active ingredients in each product varies slightly , so be sure to look at those labels . As a general rule , the more hard and woody your cuttings , the higher level of active ingredients you ’ ll need in the formulation . Some companies , such as Hormex , actually offer multiple versions of the same product , each with a different concentration of IBA ( the more IBA , the more expensive the product ). This allows the grower to select the most appropriate concentration from both a price and application perspective .
Second , the formulation of inactive ingredients can impact both the delivery of rooting hormones to the plants and the physical consistency of the product . Rooting hormones are most commonly available in three different styles : powders , liquids , and gels . Here are a few examples of real-life products that fall into each category and how they should be applied during the cloning process .
Style : Powder Example Product : Hormex Snip n ’ Dip Rooting Powder
These are the longestlasting of the options from a shelf-life perspective and work well when placing your cutting into a firm medium that will hold the powder in place against the stem . Pour some of the powder into a small dish or container . Wet the cut-end of your stem . Roll the wet stem through the powder . Then place into your grow medium .
Style : Liquid Example Product : Dip ‘ N ’ Grow Rooting Liquid
These are easy to use but run the risk of not staying in contact with the surface of the stem after it ’ s been placed in a grow medium . To use a liquid rooting hormone , simply pour some into a container , dip the cut-end of your stem in it and then place into a grow medium . If you have a hydroponic set up or are using an aeroponic or fogponic system , you can mix this liquid into your reservoir , providing a constant application of hormone to the area in which you wish roots to form .
Style : Gel Example Product : Clonex Rooting Gel
It doesn ’ t get much simpler than cloning gel . Just as with powder , it works best when placing your cutting into a firm medium that will hold the gel in place against the stem . The gel does a better job than a liquid staying in full contact with the stem .
What ’ s Best for Your Grow ? When it comes to rooting hormones , I ’ ve yet to see one product with a “ secret sauce ” that everyone else is yet to discover . In general , they contain the same active ingredients in similar proportions . The questions to ask when picking a particular hormone are :
1 ) Do I want to use a naturally occurring compound ( IBA ) or something produced synthetically ( NAA )?
2 ) How developed is my cutting ? Older , harder stems require stronger concentrations .
3 ) What style is best for my cloning medium ? Liquids are best for aeroponics and fogponics while gels and powders are best for solid mediums like rockwool or root cubes .
Keep working and learning about your plants . Remember , it all starts with good roots .
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