Maximum Yield USA 2016 June | Page 54

ROOTING HORMONES customizable rooting hormone. In other words, you can determine the concentration of a synthetic rooting hormone in the final solution. This can be advantageous if you are growing a wide variety of plant species. Some plant species will require higher concentrations than others. For example, a woodier tissue plant may need a concentration twice as strong as that needed by softwood cutting varieties. All in all, liquid rooting hormones in a concentrated form provide the most versatility to the grower, but they usually have a shorter shelf life than powders and may even require refrigeration. Gel Form – Rooting hormones in gel form have become the most popular rooting hormones among indoor growers. Of all the forms of rooting hormones, gels are the most convenient to use. Gel products have the appropriate levels of synthetic rooting hormones for most plants and are ready to use right out of the container. As with the other rooting hormone products, a small amount of gel should be placed in a separate container for dipping the cuttings to avoid the possibility of contamination. Gels have another distinct advantage: they completely cover the cut section of the new plant with the synthetic hormone and keep it covered. This allows the plant tissue to absorb more of the synthetic hormone. Gels are also less likely to wash or rub off in clone machines or other cloning devices where cuttings are misted with water. Although you get more bang for your buck with powders and concentrated liquids are more versatile, cloning gel is still the go-to rooting hormone product for indoor growers. 52 Maximum Yield USA  | June 2016