How to Make Your Own Rooting Hormone

---

REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publishthis article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter,ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if itremains unchanged and you include t...
REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publishthis article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter,ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if itremains unchanged and you include the copyright and authorinformation (Resource Box) at the end. You may not usethis article in any unsolicited commercial email (spam).You may retrieve this article by:Autoresponder: [email protected]:http://www.apluswriting.net/articles/rootinghormone.txtWords: 372 including resource boxCopyright: 2005 Marilyn PokorneyPlease leave the resource box intact with an active link,and send a courtesy copy of the publication in which thearticle appears to: marilynp@nctc.net------------------------------------------------------When starting a new plant from a leaf or stem cutting, thecutting will be more likely to form roots and create a newplant if a rooting hormone is used.While commercial rooting hormone can be used there areorganic homemade versions that work as well.To make rooting hormone soak the yellow-tipped shoots of aweeping willow tree in water.
A tea made from the bark of awillow tree is also effective. When using the shoots orbark soak them for 24 hours prior to using.Some people have found that using honey makes an effectiverooting hormone as well.Leaf cuttings: Any plant with leaves such as AfricanViolet, Geranium etc.
can be propagated with leaf cuttings.Using a sharp knife cut off a healthy leaf at the pointwhere it joins the stem. Insert the cut part, called apetiole, into the rooting hormone.
Place the end into asmall container of light potting soil in which you have madea small hole with a pencil. Making a hole prior to plantingassures that the rooting hormone will not be brushed off thecutting when you plant it.
Perlite, Vermiculite, and/orwater-soaked Sphagnum moss can be added to potting soil tomake the soil light. Make sure the leaf is leaning slightlyso that the new plants will have plenty of light and not beshaded by the leaf.Stem cuttings: These are treated just like leaf cuttingsexcept you cut off a stem with several leaves instead ofjust one leaf.
Remove the bottom leaves, leaving a few atthe top. Proceed as with the leaf cutting.In both instances cover the pot with a plastic bag orinverted glass jar.
This will keep moisture fromevaporating and keep the cutting from wilting. Keep in awarm location with diffused light but out of directsunlight.
When there is indications of growth after about 3to 6 weeks, transplant the new emerging plant into a new potof potting soil. Continue to keep a humid environment forabout 2 more weeks until active growth begins.More organic gardening tips and supplies can be found at:http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/gardensalive.htm Article Tags: Rooting Hormone, Potting Soil Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com .