10 Best Rooting Hormones in 2022
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If you are a gardener, no doubt you love your plants and take great pride in their care and cultivation. Plants are able to make their own rooting hormone, although it takes quite a long time. Subsequently, plants can be very easy to clone and replicate. In order to help new cuttings to grow fast and strong, many gardeners use a rooting hormone which encourages the stem to experience root development and create new plants, in addition to protecting the cutting and plant from fungus or disease.
We have tested ten of the best rooting hormones currently available on the market so that you can choose the best rooting hormone for you and for needs.
View the Best Rooting Hormone, Below.
- HydroDynamics Clonex Rooting Gel
- Quick Clone Gel
- Garden Safe 93194 Rooting Hormone
- Miracle-Gro FastRoot Dry Powder
- Dip ‘N Grow Liquid Rooting Hormone
- RootBoost 100508075 Rooting Hormone
- General Hydroponics Rapid Start Rooting Enhancer
- Midas Products Rooting Gel
- Hormex HC1232 Fertilizer
- Bonide Bontone Rooting Powder
1. HydroDynamics Clonex Rooting Gel
The HydroDynamics Clonex Rooting Gel is a high performance rooting compound in a translucent gel form. When the stem is dipped into the gel, the gel will remain in contact around the stem and will seal the cut tissue. The much-needed hormone encourages root cell development, additionally providing a range of vitamins to promote health and to protect new tissue.
The gel utilizes a unique, professionally-used combination of vitamins, hormones, and minerals, reducing the chance of infection. Furthermore, the rooting hormone contains 3000 parts per million, enabling full root development to occur. Additionally, the use of a gel formula is a much safer substance as a liquid or a powder may easily spill.
The HydroDynamics Clonex Rooting Gel is a professionally renowned option for a high performance rooting compound. Furthermore, the thick gel formula is a safer choice to avoid spillages.
Check Price on Amazon ➞2. Quick Clone Gel
Made from a brewed tea base, Quick Clone Gel contains natural ingredients favored by organic gardeners in order to promote root development. The gel formula is thick and quick acting, providing a safer option than liquids and powders prone to spillages. To use, simply dip a fresh cutting into water and then into the Quick Clone Gel, subsequently planting into your favored spot.
You will see fantastic results along with stronger plants, making your garden more beautiful. Ingredients include a selection of herbs, leaves, and barks in addition to two times the standard level of rooting hormone and four different vitamins.
Quick Clone Gel is a great product for those who are looking for an organic alternative while still achieving strong and fast results.
Check Price on Amazon ➞3. Garden Safe 93194 Rooting Hormone
The Garden Safe 93194 Rooting Hormone is a powdered formula which enables you to grow a new plant from a cutting. Indole-3-Butyric Acid is the active ingredient included in the powder, promoting root development as it stimulates the process which naturally occurs in plants.
The product is so easy to use, enabling you to take a freshly snipped cutting, dip the stem inside the Garden Safe powder and then plant the cutting in your preferred spot. To ensure safety and easy use, you can dip the stem inside the pot, saving the mess and ensuring high performance.
Containing the rooting hormone powder inside of the pot ensures that there is less mess while achieving thorough coverage.
Check Price on Amazon ➞4. Miracle-Gro FastRoot Dry Powder
The Miracle-Gro FastRoot Dry Powder enables you to grow new plants from fresh cuttings, being suitable for hardy ornamental plants in addition to softwood, greenwood, and leafy cuttings. To use, simply dip the cutting into the powder and then plant immediately into moist soil.
A fresh cutting with a 4 - 6-inch stem is recommended while the best results occur when you dip the stem into 1-inch of rooting hormone powder. Miracle-Gro FastRoot Dry Powder comes in a handy screw-top container, keeping the powder safe and being able to store the rooting hormone away easily.
The screw-top container is a good feature of the Miracle-Gro FastRoot Dry Powder as you can use the rooting hormone when you need it and safely store it away when you do not need it.
Check Price on Amazon ➞5. Dip ‘N Grow Liquid Rooting Hormone
The Dip 'N Grow Liquid Rooting Hormone is a liquid concentrate formula which contains both rooting auxins to achieve high performance every time. The formula is additionally self-sanitizing so that any cross-contamination issues are eliminated. Ingredients include both ethyl and isopropyl alcohol in addition to the active ingredients Indole-3-Butyric Acid and Naphthaleneacetic Acid.
Simply take a cutting with a 6-inch stem and cover at least 1-inch at the end of the stem in Dip ‘N Grow Liquid Rooting Hormone, quickly planting the cutting in moist soil.
The Dip 'N Grow Liquid Rooting Hormone includes a self-sanitizing compound to eliminate any chance of cross-contamination, providing the best results every time.
Check Price on Amazon ➞6. RootBoost 100508075 Rooting Hormone
The RootBoost 100508075 Rooting Hormone is a powder rooting hormone containing Hormodin 1 along with the active ingredient Indole-3-Butyric Acid. This professionally-used formula easily enables you to grow new plants form a fresh cutting, enabling you to simply cut a new cutting of around 6-inches and dip the stem into the powder.
Next, you need to plant the stem into moist soil, and before long you will experience the quick development of the growing plant. Depending upon the type of plant, it can take between 3 - 5 weeks before the root develops fully and becomes stimulated and encouraged to grow. Furthermore, the RootBoost 100508075 Rooting Hormone is perfect for ornamental plants.
The RootBoost 100508075 Rooting Hormone is a great rooting hormone for plants such as Rhododendrons, Roses, Hydrangeas, and Azaleas.
Check Price on Amazon ➞7. General Hydroponics Rapid Start Rooting Enhancer
The Rapid Start Rooting Enhancer is a powerful rooting hormone which promotes expansive growth across the roots. Using this rooting hormone enables you to develop your root mass in addition to increase your plant biomass. A strong blend is present within the formula, developing fine root hairs and stimulating root branching. Rapid Start Rooting Enhancer is suitable for all types of plants, creating ductile roots which are flexible and will not break during transfer.
The Rapid Start Rooting Enhancer is a great buy for individuals who want to make sure that fine root hairs are strong and tough when making transfers.
Check Price on Amazon ➞8. Midas Products Rooting Gel
The Midas Products Rooting Gel provides a gel formula which enables superior development of your plants from fresh cuttings. Simply take a cutting from your desired plant, cover the end in the rooting hormone gel and then plant the stem in moist soil. Ingredients featured within the gel include an IBA Hormone/Indole-3-Butyric Acid which is professionally renowned as being the best and most effective method to develop strong roots from your cuttings.
The gel is able to develop and stimulate root growth in a faster time than some similar products, additionally containing a mass of nutrients which help the health of the plant.
The Midas Products Rooting Gel is a great purchase, enabling your rooting hormone to experience an additional boost in comparison with other rooting hormones.
Check Price on Amazon ➞9. Hormex HC1232 Fertilizer
The Hormex HC1232 Fertilizer is a traditional liquid rooting hormone which has been used in gardens across the country for the last 50-years. Specifically, this rooting hormone specializes in preventing transplant shock through the stimulation growth of some small feeder roots which may otherwise become damaged during transplanting.
To use this rooting hormone, you need to add water to the compound and dip the stem of a fresh cutting into the mixture, immediately planting the stem in moist soil to accelerate plant growth. Additionally, Hormex HC1232 Fertilizer may also be used for additional purposes, such as reducing lawn and plant watering and enabling cut flowers to stay fresher longer.
Being able to use the Hormex HC1232 Fertilizer mixture for different purposes is a great feature of this product, being able to purchase one product for several uses.
Check Price on Amazon ➞10. Bonide Bontone Rooting Powder
Bonide Bontone Rooting Powder is a powdered rooting hormone which stimulates root production in softwood and hardwood cuttings, helping to develop the process of growing plants from fresh cuttings. This rooting hormone is suitable for a wide range of plants such as poinsettias, geraniums, and azaleas, and contains the active ingredient Indole-3-Butyric Acid.
To use the rooting hormone, simply take a fresh cutting of up to 6-inches long and dip the stem into the powder. Plant the stem into moist soil and witness the growth, stimulation, and development of your favorite plants.
Unlike some rooting hormones which are only suitable for ornamental plants, Bonide Bontone Rooting Powder is suitable for a range of plants in addition to softwood and hardwood.
Check Price on Amazon ➞Rooting Hormone Buyer’s Guide
Many individuals enjoy looking after and cultivating their plants within their gardens and greenhouses. Plants are able to make their own rooting hormone, although it takes quite a long time. Subsequently, plants can be very easy to clone and replicate. In order to help new cuttings to grow fast and strong, many gardeners use a rooting hormone which encourages the stem to experience root development and create new plants, in addition to protecting the cutting and plant from fungus or disease.
How Does a Rooting Hormone Work?
To use a rooting hormone, you first need to take a fresh cutting from your desired plant. The cutting should have a stem of between 4 – 6-inches. Dip the last 1-inch of the stem into the rooting hormone, which may take the form of either a powder, a liquid or a gel. Next, plant the stem in a bed of moist, fresh soil. The rooting hormone replicates the natural process but enables the stem to develop faster and stronger, with additional benefits of protecting the cutting from fungus or disease.
Liquid, Powder or Gel?
Whether to use a liquid, a powder or a gel is dependent upon your preferences. Realistically, each type of formula works in the same way although there are some differences in the formula which you choose. For example, a gel-based rooting formula may be a safer choice if you have young children or pets at home, as gels are less prone to spillages.
However, a liquid rooting formula may suit some individuals as many liquid rooting hormones can be used in different ways and for different purposes, providing adaptability and value for money. The most popular choice of rooting hormone, however, is a powdered formula, perhaps because the coverage of the stem is more visible.
How Long Will a Rooting Hormone Take To Work?
To experience the full benefits, the rooting hormone may take between 3 – 5 weeks. On rare occasions, a stem cutting may not become stimulated fully by the rooting hormone, and so the cutting may eventually wilt. It may be beneficial, therefore, to develop two or three cuttings at once from the same plant, in order to ensure success.
Of course, using a rooting hormone is not compulsory as the plant naturally completes this process, albeit at a slower pace. There are also natural alternatives which may be used in the same way as a rooting hormone.
Other Uses for a Rooting Hormone
In addition to stimulating plants and providing strong and fast growth to the stem and roots, rooting hormones also provide protection against disease and fungus. It is important to ensure that cross-contamination of your plants does not occur as fungus and disease may destroy several of your plants. Some rooting hormones additionally help to prevent transplant shock when moving a plant, providing further protection for your beloved plants.
What is Rooting Hormone?
Rooting hormone is a mixture of plant hormones which are able to stimulate the growth of a plant cutting. By using a rooting hormone, you can clone a new plant from a fresh plant cutting, ensuring that the cloned plant grows fast and strong while being protected from fungus and disease.
How to use Rooting Hormone?
To use a rooting hormone, you first need to take a fresh cutting from your desired plant. The cutting should have a stem of between 4 – 6-inches. Dip the last 1-inch of the stem into the rooting hormone, which may take the form of either powder, a liquid or a gel. Next, plant the stem in a bed of moist, fresh soil.
What is in Rooting Hormone?
What ingredients your rooting hormone contains depends upon the brand and model of the rooting hormone. However, most rooting hormones in a powder, liquid or gel base will contain Indole-3-Butyric Acid as an active ingredient. Many rooting hormones will additionally contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients although combinations will vary.
Conclusion
If you love your plants and want to help them to grow fast and strong then using a rooting hormone is an effective way to stimulate their growth while protecting your plants from fungus and disease. There is a wide range of rooting hormones available for you to try, ranging from traditional liquids to popular powders to modern gels. Using a rooting hormone ensures that you cultivate the beautiful plants you desire.
Alternatively, there are several different natural rooting agents available for you to try although you may receive slower results in comparison with using a rooting hormone.
Expert Tip
Where possible, always favor fresh cuttings over seeds. When using cuttings, you will be able to cultivate an exact clone of the original plant. The genetic of seeds vary and so you may grow a plant slightly different than the plant you intended to cultivate.
Did you know?
You can use cinnamon as a rooting agent. Applying to the stem of your fresh cutting stimulates root growth in most plants, encouraging the stem to produce additional stems while protecting the cutting against fungus. Simply roll the end of the stem in cinnamon powder. This is a great tip for individuals who would prefer to avoid chemical or other unnatural agents.
Furthermore, there are many other natural rooting agents easily available and which also work well on your plants. Three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with one gallon of water work great, as does honey which provides natural anti-bacterial properties. Simply add one tablespoon of honey to two cups of boiling water then leave to cool. Additionally, you can use crushed aspirin dissolved in water, or you could make willow tea from willow leaves. A controversial rooting agent which works great is saliva which acts as a natural root enhancer.