Rooting hormones improve uniformity among vegetative cuttings

Rooting hormones are a great addition to any propagator’s toolkit. Rooting compounds, being liquid or powders, when applied properly aid in rooting of moderate to difficult-to-root species, accelerate root initiation, improve rooting uniformity, increase the number of roots produced and ultimately reduce shrink and rooting time. Of course, when rooting hormones and other cultural practices are combined with optimal environmental conditions, results are high-quality, well rooted liners.

Rooting compounds are essential for rooting difficult-to-root annual and perennial bedding plant species and sometimes used for those that may be moderately difficult.

Rooting hormones come in various formulations and contain different ingredients and can most often be applied in one of three ways: quick-dips or dipping the basal or cut end of the cutting into the rooting hormone prior to sticking; stem base sprays; or post stick foliar sprays. Application methods most commonly observed among Michigan greenhouse growers is the quick-dips and post stick foliar sprays.

Read more at MSU Extension (W. Garrett Owen)