How to Make a Rooting Hormone

To start plants from cuttings, a rooting solution is applied to the bottom tip of branches to encourage root growth. Usually the rooting hormone is bought in a commercial form, like Rootone. In this article, you can find out how to make your own rooting hormone right at home.

A willow tree is the secret to making a great rooting tonic. Willow bark has an ample supply of auxins, which is a natural plant growth hormone. Auxins is also the active ingredient in many of the rooting hormones sold. Any variety from the willow family Salix, will work to make a rooting hormone. Start at step one, identifying the willow tree, to get started.

Instructions

1. 

   Find Willow Tree branches-

   When the willow tree is mentioned, usually images of the weeping willow comes to mind. But there are over 400 species of Salix, finding a willow tree isn't to hard, just look for these following characteristics:

   -Round to oval leaves that are alternately arranged on slender branches
   -Dark brown thick bark
   -Look for catkins in the spring, before the leaves branch out

2. Cut from the tree-

   Locate the thin branches, cut around 20 branches, to make a concentrated amount of rooting hormone.

3. Make the liquid rooting solution -

   Cut each stem into small 3" pieces and add to a gallon of warm water. Let the sticks soak for 24 hrs. After they are done soaking, strain out the willow pieces and save the water left behind. What you have now is a perfect solution filled with liquid nutrients to promote root growth.

4. How to use the home made rooting hormone-

   This solution should be used right away. It can be used to water new seedlings, and to help establish roots in cuttings. Soak the cuttings in the willow water for a day, before planting. To keep the solution fresh, it can be kept in the refrigerator for a month, in an air tight container.