How to Make Rooting Compounds and Hormones at Home

Homemade rooting hormone can be easy and inexpensive to make. As a gardener, rooting hormones help encourage healthy root growth in plant cuttings and can increase the success rate of propagation. While commercial products can be purchased, creating your own rooting hormone is simple and allows you to customize the formula to your specific needs.

Why Use Rooting Hormones

Rooting hormones contain plant growth regulators that enhance root development in plant cuttings. The active ingredients in commercial rooting products are generally synthetic versions of natural plant hormones like auxin or cytokinin.

Some key benefits of using rooting hormones include:

• Promotes Faster Root Growth: The hormones encourage the plant stem cells to differentiate into root cells, leading to quicker root production.

• Increases Success Rate: Rooting hormones can dramatically improve the chances of successfully propagating cuttings, especially for plants that are difficult to root.

• Reduces Transplant Shock: By stimulating faster root growth, the cutting can focus energy on establishment rather than attempting to cope with shock.

• Ideal for Difficult Plants: Woody, slow-growing or temperamental plants particularly benefit from the use of rooting hormones.

Active Ingredients in Rooting Hormones

The most common active ingredients in DIY and commercial rooting products include:

• Indole-3-butyric Acid (IBA): Synthetic auxin that strongly promotes lateral root formation.

• Naphthaleneacetic Acid (NAA): Synthetic auxin analogue that stimulates root growth.

• Indole-3-acetic Acid (IAA): Naturally occurring auxin that is active at low concentrations.

• Salicylic Acid (SA): Helps reduce stress during propagation and enhances rooting.

IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) is the most widely used for rooting cuttings and found in commercial products like Dip 'N Grow or Rootone. NAA (Naphthaleneacetic acid) is also popular and sold under brand names such as Ferti-Lome Root Stimulator.

How to Make DIY Rooting Hormone

Making your own rooting hormone is inexpensive, easy to customize, and only requires a few simple ingredients. Here are some options:

IBA Rooting Powder

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon Indole-3-butyric acid powder
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder (optional)

Steps:

1. In a small jar, mix together the IBA powder, cornstarch, and cinnamon if using.

2. Shake or stir the jar to fully combine ingredients into a uniform powder.

3. To use, dip the cut end of the plant cutting into the powder to coat. Plant as normal.

Willow Water Rooting Solution

Ingredients:

• 5-6 willow tree branches
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Steps:

1. Take several 5-6 inch clippings from a willow tree in early spring when sap levels are high.

2. Add the clippings to a small pot and cover with 2 cups of water.

3. Boil the branches for 20-30 minutes until the water turns a brown tea color.

4. Allow to cool fully, then remove the branches and store the "willow water" in a jar. Add 1 tsp honey to help it stick to cuttings.

5. To use, dip cuttings for a few seconds before planting. Store any extra solution in the fridge.

Aloe Vera Gel

Ingredients:

• 1 aloe vera leaf
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut open an aloe vera leaf and scoop out the clear gel within.

2. Place in a small jar or container. For thicker gel, allow excess liquid to drain out through a cheesecloth.

3. Add 1 teaspoon honey if desired, then mix well to incorporate.

4. Dip the cut end of plant cuttings into the gel and plant as normal.

Tips for Using Homemade Rooting Hormone

Follow these tips when using your homemade rooting compounds for the best results:

• Select cuttings that are 4-6 inches long and have healthy tips with a couple sets of leaves. Remove flowers and all but the top leaves.

• Cut the stem at a 45 degree angle to expose more surface area for rooting hormone contact.

• Apply hormone only to the cut end of the stem to avoid excess. Roll in powder or dip just 1-2 inches.

• Stick cutting at least 2 inches deep into the growing medium so it stays upright.

• Mist often but avoid saturating cuttings until roots establish. Intermittent moisture works best.

• Maintain warm temperature around 70-75°F for fast root production.

• Transplant into pots once cuttings have well-developed root systems in 2-3 months. Harden off gradually.

With the right homemade rooting hormone and proper care of your cuttings, you can propagate your favorite plants for free! Test different DIY formulations to find what works best.