How does rooting powder work

Rooting hormone should be stored in a cool, dark place. Check the expiration date before using, as the chemicals can break down over time. By Monica Weymouth January 28, Save Pin More. Comments Add Comment. Back to story Comment on this project. Tell us what you think Thanks for adding your feedback. Plant cuttings naturally want to continue producing new stems and foliage.

Successful rooting involves encouraging cuttings to stop producing stem cells and start producing root cells. The proper use of rooting hormone can speed this process up considerably. Synthetic auxins are used in hormone rooting powders and gels to replicate natural growth conditions in plants, and encourage roots to form.

Hormone rooting powders often also contain cytokinins another plant growth hormone , fungicides and other chemicals, which reduce the risk of the plants succumbing to fungal infections. Rooting hormones increase the chance of your cuttings taking root. However, rooting hormones are rarely essential. As a general rule, the time of year can help you decide whether or not to use rooting hormones. Typically, low concentrations of rooting hormones are used for herbaceous softwood cuttings , which are taken in summer and root quickly, and high concentrations are used for woody hardwood cuttings , which are taken in winter and take longer to develop roots.

However, some plants root more easily than others. Fuchsias , salvias and snapdragon also benefit from a little extra help. Fungicides have been linked to bee declines and, if used incorrectly, can inhibit photosynthesis, so may not aid strong growth in the long term. It increases the percentage of cuttings that root and helps make them grow more rapidly.

Auxins stimulate the initiation of roots and the growth of lateral roots and causes root cells to grow longer. It also helps the formation of xylem and phloem. Xylem are cells that transport water and nutrients from the soil into the roots. Phloem are cells that transport sugars made by the leaves in a process called photosynthesis to other parts of a tree including its roots. Rooting compounds cannot make up for hardwood cuttings that are naturally difficult to root.

The ability to propagate a tree by hardwood cutting varies by the species.