propagating cuttings

Is a powdered or liquid root hormone necessary when planting cuttings? What are some of the best mediums for planting cuttings? This is my first attempt at this project and would appreciate some good advice. Steve

Root hormone helps but not necessary. As a child (several decades back), I've planted lots of cuttings successfully w/o using one.

Best is relative. I personally believe pure Turface is an excellent medium. Others use sand. Anything that will hold water but still "breathable" (and not get water logged) will be good.

Don't forget that some plants have different preference (water, heat, light, humidity, etc.) so factor that too. Good luck!

The root hormones are complicated to use. Professional propagation nurseries dont often use the root hormone to propagate many horticural especies from the Gaura plants to conifers. The medium that we use for the stem propagation is 2/3 peat moss (mostly from easter Europe) plus 1/3 perlite. At home you can use 1/2 peat moss plus 1/2 charcoal reduced into small pieces or sand.

Now, it's the right time for the propagation of Acer palmatum, Punica, Zelkova, Ulmus, Prunus mume, Serissa, Ficus, Carmona...etc. With an adequate humidity, heat, aeration...the cuttings will give you a new root system from 3 to 6 weeks.

regards,
giang

www.lotus-bonsai.com

Professional propagation nurseries dont often use the root hormone to propagate many horticural especies from the Gaura plants to conifers. The medium that we use for the stem propagation is 2/3 peat moss (mostly from easter Europe) plus 1/3 perlite. At home you can use 1/2 peat moss plus 1/2 charcoal reduced into small pieces or sand.

I think Brent Walston, of Evergreen Gardenworks would disagree with you and with Poink88.

Here's what he has to say on the subject: http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/cuttings.htm

Personally, I always use at least Rootone powder.

hello,
I'm currently supervising the spring-summer propagation of more than 850 horticultural plants and trees species from olive trees to maples in southern France. The main activity of our nursery is propgation from cuttings; grafting, seedlings and in vitro propagation. We produce 1.5 million cuttings a year.

For more than 25 years, we have been observing and studying that the use of phytohormones in many ways. But it didnt give us the expected results. A few year ago, we tested on 140 000 Eleagnus cuttings in 2 different greenhouses. The greenhouse that we used root hormones (Bayer Germany) didnt give us a correct result as predicted, compared to the non use of phytohormone in other greenhouse.

The variation of auxine concentration can affect the rate of rooting for cuttings. We only use hormones for in vitro propagation. otherwise, for air layering, cuttings... the best result is always the natural way, with a proper equipement for the propagation green houses, air circulation, humidity, heat, adequate medium...the new root system will appear from 2 to 6 weeks.

giang

JimLewis wrote:
I think Brent Walston, of Evergreen Gardenworks would disagree with you and with Poink88.

Here's what he has to say on the subject: http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/cuttings.htm

Personally, I always use at least Rootone powder.

Jim,

Where is that "nature" thing you have been preaching about? LOL. I am with you, I use it too but still believe it is not a requirement as I had lots of success w/o using one.

I definitely won't argue with Giang's success rate as well.

As you probably can tell...I do not just take anyone's word on everything...be it you, Brent, Walter, etc. (whom all I respect) because I do not believe anyone is perfect. I challenge things and find my own way. I sure have lots of "scars" to show some bad choices but I won't change a thing, I learn best this way.