Root growth without root hormone?

[Naga]

Is it possible to take a cutting and get root growth without using any type of hormone to encourage root growth?

[Nicos]

My passion fruit and rosemary cuttings have rooted in water which I change every couple of days...and also honeysuckle has worked in th past.

What are you thinking of growing?

[lainey lou]

I hope so cause I'm having a go at the moment with various things from my garden. I'm no expert though, just having a go to see what happens!

[Alison]

Some things root easier than others. Some things you can just shove in soil and they'll be fine, other things work better if you let them develop roots in a cup of water before planting and some things are just a pain in the proverbial. Let us know what you want to take cuttings of and somebody may be able to advise.

[Growem]

Mint will do very well without any extra help. Not sure why you don't want to add a growth hormone to the water, but apparently if you dissolve an aspirin in the water, it has the same effect.

[Naga]

Thanks for the reply, I might do a chilli and maybe a rose. Reason I don't want to use anything to get it going is because I would like to see what I can get going without using any chemicals.


In regards to cuttings, do I take a cutting from a leaf and cut as close to the stem as poss?

[Nicos]

I've put blackberry and currant twigs ( ones I've cut out when pruning) directly into the soil- and about 50% have taken root.

One was just being used as a marker on a row of radish!!!

[Growem]

Herby, if you want natural help rather than a commercial chemical, I think willow bark is supposed to work too. Can't say without chemicals, as willow bark obviously has chemicals too, just like everything, but it's more natural. Do a google and check it out if you are interested.

[Naga]

Again thanks for the replies. I see honey is something that can help but not sure what I do if I dip the petiole in to honey? Where do I then put it? In water or compost?

[Two_Sheds]

I take cuttings of all kinds of things, and never use hormones or anything.
Timing is more important than additives.
Roses will grow from a 10" cutting inserted in the ground in autumn. Royal Horticultural Society - Gardening Advice: Rose Propagation

[onefivenine]

I take cuttings of all kinds of things, and never use hormones or anything.
Timing is more important than additives.
Roses will grow from a 10" cutting inserted in the ground in autumn. Royal Horticultural Society - Gardening Advice: Rose Propagation

Certainly sounds faster than growing from seed - according to that link, seed germination can take up to a year!

[Lottieval]

Like Two Sheds I never use anything when rooting cuttings. One thing I find is important is to use a 50/50 mix of good compost and sharp sand or silver sand when rooting cuttings in a pot. Also put half a placcie bottle on the top of the pot to retain moisture, or you can use a placcie bag.If you're taking cuttings from new growth i.e. softwood cuttings get them into the pot asap., hardwood cuttings can go straight into the soil but these are best done in autumn.

[Two_Sheds]

Thanks for the reply, I might do a chilli

Why, when they are so easy to grow from seed?

[lainey lou]

Herby, if you want natural help rather than a commercial chemical, I think willow bark is supposed to work too. Can't say without chemicals, as willow bark obviously has chemicals too, just like everything, but it's more natural. Do a google and check it out if you are interested.

Its Salicylate, same as aspirin.

[lainey lou]

Also put half a placcie bottle on the top of the pot to retain moisture, or you can use a placcie bag.

I've stuck mine in my propagator, do you think that'll be ok?
I'm having a go with lavender, rosemary, thyme, backcurrant sage, jasmine and mock orange.