boost your roots
“
OTHER BENEFITS OF using root
promoters, besides reducing the
time it takes for a plant to initiate root
development, are that cuttings treated
with root growth stimulators typically have
a higher survival rate than non-treated
cuttings and that the number of roots
produced per cutting is increased.”
In general, rooting promoters—be they hormones,
stimulators, or other growth aids—are designed or gleaned
from nature for their ability to aid in a plant’s need to
develop a healthy root system quickly. Other benefits of
using root promoters, besides reducing the time it takes
for a plant to initiate root development, are that cuttings
treated with root growth stimulators typically have a
higher survival rate than non-treated cuttings and that the
number of roots produced per cutting is increased. Another
benefit, mostly for commercial propagators, is that the use
of root promoters generally increases the uniformity of the
cuttings’ root systems. This is important when keeping all
container sizes uniform.
The Real Stuff
Plants naturally produce root promoters of different types
called auxins. Auxins help to encourage or regulate plant
growth through the processes of either cell enlargement or
cell division. They can direct the growth of one area of a
plant while restricting the growth to another, depending
on where its resources are needed. Any legitimate rooting
hormone or root growth stimulator will have this in one form
or another. For developing roots from propagated cuttings,
look for a product containing the naturally occurring
hormone indole butyric acid (IBA). This auxin helps the
plants to develop new roots.
If you are transplanting a young plant that already has
roots, but you want to stimulate more lateral roots, find a
product containing the manufactured hormone naphthylace-
tic acid (NAA). Some rooting promoters on the market contain
both IBA and NAA. Other real and synthetic plant auxins do
exist, but they are not as efficient as they break down quickly
and are of little long-term benefit to the plant.
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