Those of you who like to cultivate plants and love nurturing them might feel anxious when the plant stops growing as it should. According to experts, plants' growth is influenced by different types of growth hormones, just like in humans. Auxin hormone plays a pivotal role in the nourishment of roots.
For the convenience of farmers and gardeners, this hormone is available as commercial products in the form of powder or liquid formula. Since there is a wide array of such products available in the market, we have listed the 11 best rooting hormones in 2020.
Read ahead to get a detailed overview of our top picks and what to look for before buying.
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10 Best Rooting Hormones Review
After some extensive research, we concluded that the next 11 picks are the top rooting hormones out there. Here is a detailed review of each provided below:
1. HydroDynamics Clonex Rooting Gel, 100 ml
This water-based liquid gel from Hydro Dynamics is an excellent component for accelerating and promoting the growth of your plant's roots. It comes in a translucent gel form. The procedure of using it is effortless, and all you have to do is dip the stem into the gel. This helps to seal the cut tissue of the stem.
Because of making the stem come in contact with the gel, the root cells at its end receive a development boost in the form of vitamins. As a result, they proliferate and can produce new tissues quickly. It also protects the new cells from any damage. The gel is formulated by combining professionally used minerals and vitamins.
Along with the nutrients, as mentioned earlier, hormones are added as well to the formulation. Besides, the gel contains this particular rooting hormone in its 3000 parts per million, which significantly promotes root development. Furthermore, since the product comes in a gel-like form, it does not spill, like a powder or liquid.
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2. Fertilome 10645 Root Stimulator and Plant Starter Solution, 32-Ounce
The second pick on our list comes from Fertilome. This thing works as a root stimulator that promotes the early formation of young roots. It also facilitates root development and makes them grow up healthy and stout.
This formulation of the agent is quite useful, and it contains butyric acid along with a wetting agent. It is recommended to use this product each time you are planting your trees or shrubs to accelerate root development.
The exceptional quality of this item is that it reduces transplant shock that plants might face when planted initially. Instead, it helps the plant to grow greener and lusher. The method of applying it is also quite easy. You have to mix three and a half tablespoons of the product to each gallon of water for flowers, shrubs, and trees.
For house plants, the application rates are ½ cup diluted solution of the agent per quarter of soil. Usually, a 6-inch pot can hold soil equivalent to the amount recommended in the application rates.
To properly apply the product, you can pour it around the roots. The product also contains the right amount of minerals, having a ratio of nitrogen 4%, phosphate10%, and soluble potash 3%.
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3. Hormex Rooting Hormone Powder #8 | for Moderately Difficult to Root Plants | Fastest IBA Rooting Powder Compound for Strong & Healthy Roots
Hormex is a household name when it comes to different products that accelerate plant growth and development. The third product on our list comes from this manufacturer, and thus, it contains a variety of features that make it a tremendous rooting hormone.
Promoting the root growth and consequently improving the health of the plant is the main aim of this product.
This powder is suitable for both amateur and professional plant growers. It comes in the form of a powder and is easy to apply. All you have to do is snip the cutting tissues and dip the plant into the powder.
If you are specifically into cloning plants, then this is an excellent product for you. Moreover, it provides the fastest rooting to cloned plants that have been developed from cuttings.
This plant can grow in a variety of different types of mediums and soils, for example, Rockwool coco, peat moss, clay pellets, soils, and many more. It enables you to be flexible with your planting process.
On top of this, the product is free from all harmful substances and does not contain any dye, alcohol, or preservatives. This makes it a great candidate for use on plants that are meant for consumption.
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4. Hormodin Rooting Compound
Another rooting hormone that everyone raves about is the rooting compound from Hormodin. This is a highly effective product that promotes healthy growth of roots and plant development. Popular with gardeners and professional horticulturists, these hormones work well with young plants that need a push to thrive.
One of the most significant benefits of using this product is, it requires no mixing or measuring. All you have to do is dip the cuttings into the powder, get rid of the excess amount, and finally transplant it.
The ingredients contained in this compound are beneficial for healthy plant growth. It contains 0.8% active ingredients that promote growth for various types of roots that are harder to grow. Moreover, it works well on even some dormant leafless cuttings. It is available in an amount equivalent to a ½ pound jug.
You can apply one container of this item to about 17,500 root cuttings. Due to the presence of active ingredients, this compound also works on the hardwood. It is sturdy and, therefore, should not be applied in excess.
Make sure not to put the tapped off the used amount into the container again, as this may contaminate the powder.
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5. Root Boost Advanced Rooting Formula Plus Mycorrhizae and Microbes by TPS Nutrients, 1 Quart (32 oz)
True Plant Science is known for its scientifically formulated solutions that provide complete rooting development and enable roots to multiply. It is enriched with compounds like four strains of mycorrhizae, nine strains of probiotic bacteria, and other rooting minerals that promote aggressive and fast root growth.
To achieve the best results, it is recommended to mix 1-2 milliliters per gallon in soil, coco, or peat gardens.
If you want to apply it to hydroponic gardens, you can use 0.5 to 1 milliliter of the solution in each gallon. And the best thing about its formulation is, it contains a rich concentration of bacteria and mycorrhizae.
Along with this, food sources are also added to it to help the microbes grow. This allows for active enzyme development processed by the bacteria that stimulates root growth.
Besides the above-mentioned features, the product also contains bio-available phosphorous and potassium. These two components enable better water and mineral intake of the roots that allow for vigorous canopy growth.
Moreover, the root boost helps to make thick white root hairs that are beneficial for the root growth. Last but not least, the product is highly sustainable and can be used for an extended period.
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6. Manufacturers Direct Spectrum Group Takeroot Rooting Hormone HG-93183
This product has been chosen as our sixth pick for its formulation enriched with active ingredients. Manufactured by Garden Safe, this product comes in the form of a powder.
It is effortless to use and contains essential active ingredients like indole-3-butyric acid 0.1%. You need to add 2 oz. or 56 grams of water with the powder before application.
The presence of active ingredients enables the powder to stimulate plant cuttings to root. As a result, cloning becomes very easy. Apart from this, it is highly suitable for easy propagation if you are a gardener or a professional nurseryman [ As a gardener, you may also interested to read on the best mole traps].
However, keep in mind that it is not the strongest when it comes to providing quick growth to roots and might require some time.
The method of applying this product on the plant cutting is very simple. All you have to do is put the Garden Safe rooting hormone solution on a small container or a bottle cap and then dip the cutting stem in it.
Make sure that the stem is moistened before it is dipped into the solution. Finally, plant the stem into moistened soil, and you will be good to go.
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7. Orga Grow Holland Root Power – Stimulates Root Growth & Increases Resistance Of The Plant – Works Quickly, Absorbs Immediately And Ensures Strong Plants – Organic Root Stimulator - 16oz
If you are someone who prefers organic things in lieu of chemically formulated ones, then the Ogra Grow Holland Root Power is the right product for you. This organic root stimulator is composed of entirely natural ingredients.
It is free from harmful preservatives that might harm your plants in the long run. Moreover, it promotes root growth quite effectively and ensures the robust viability of plants.
The most suitable time for applying this product is during the growth phase and the initial weeks of the flowering period of the plants. Using the stimulator during that time develops the resistance power of the plant and also ensures proper root growth.
In addition, it works very fast on the plants, and only a small amount is needed in each application.
Besides stimulating the generation of roots, it also gives young plants a push towards ensuring healthy and robust growth. When you replant a stem after cutting it from another plant for cloning, it reduces the transplant shock of the new plant.
It even helps to reduce its stress and speeds up the recovery process. Moreover, the formula gets absorbed pretty quickly, so no waste is made.
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8. Miracle-Gro Quick Start Planting & Transplant Starting Solution (Liquid), 48 oz.
The eighth pick on our list comes from Miracle-Gro, and it is touted as a quick start planting and transplant solution. So, if you are into cloning plants, then you can get this product to help your roots develop quickly and effectively.
This product comes in liquid form and contains all the necessary nutrients required to make young roots thrive.
The procedure for using this product is quite simple. All you need to do is mix the liquid with water. After that, you can simply apply the solution to all types of plants like trees, shrubs, transplants, seedlings, and so on. You can even use it for flowers and vegetables to promote their fast growth and healthy development.
Another great perk of this product is, it can prevent transplant shocks. When cloning is done by taking cuttings from one plant, the new cutting might die due to this shock. By using this root-hormone, you can prevent that from happening.
Simply mix the formula with water and apply to flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, transplants, and seedlings. The solution not only stimulates root growth for faster blooms compared to unfed plants but also helps prevent transplant shock. You can use it on both soil and water-based plants.
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9. Big Foot Organic Mycorrhizal Granular Fungi Mycorrhizae Inoculant for Plant Root Growth Biochar, Worm Castings, Glomus Intaracides 2 lb
For people who love all things organic, we have included another option for you to consider on our list. This one comes from Big Foot and is rich with Mycorrhizae. It also contains microbes and fungi helpful for accelerating plant growth.
Apart from this, its formulation is rich with BioChar, Worm Castings, Micro-Nutrients, kelp, and humic acid.
This unique formula enriched with different types of organic ingredients helps to make the root surface area more absorb friendly and thus encourages water uptake. Moreover, overall plant health is developed due to this.
Furthermore, in each gram of this product, it contains 66 grams of the glomus intradices, which is a component known to promote nutrient uptake and prevent transplant shock.
This root growth stimulator can be used with different types of plants, like shrubs, herbs, fruits, perennials, and even fruits and vegetables. Not only this, but it is also completely devoid of chemicals and preservatives. It does not contain any heavy metal as well. You can safely use it around pets and kids.
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10. CANNA 5 L Rhizotonic Rooting Stimulator 9321005
This root growth stimulator from Canna comes in a 5 Liter container and contains enough product that lasts for a long time. It has a unique formulation containing a potent marine algae extract. This helps to promote root development and growth. It also makes the plant grow up healthy and succulent.
Apart from its main ingredient, marine algae, the product also contains a lot of vitamins—all of these ingredients combined to improve the water and mineral intake of plants by great bounds. Moreover, plants don't succumb when transplanted. Another great feature of this product is, it can work on all types of plants.
Not just different types of soil-based plants, this product also can be applied to water-based ones. The ratios in which the liquid should be applied is different for different sized plants.
For example, for rooted seeds, clones, and small plants, you can use 15 ml a gallon. And for well-rooted ones that are somewhat tall, you should put 2 ml of the liquid in one gallon.
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What to Look For Before You Buy?
If you are new to this, you might not be aware of what some of the must-have criteria are in a good quality rooting hormone. Even many professionals get confused at times and only know more through experience.
To guide you through this trouble, we have prepared a list of the features that you need to look for before you buy a root growth stimulator for your plants:
Type of Root Hormone
Root hormones generally come in three forms, which are liquid, gel, and powder. Each has its own perks and cons. You need to make sure which type will suit your preference before you choose your pick.
To help you with this, we will mention the features of each of the types. Although all the formulas provide similar benefits, the consistency adds some additional perk. For example, the best characteristic of the gel-based formula is its viscosity. It does not easily spill and therefore is safe to use around children and pets.
The second type is the liquid one, which is very easy to apply. It only needs to be diluted with water. This type of root hormone also is quite economical. Lastly, the powdered formula is the most common choice amongst gardeners.
This one clearly shows the coverage it is providing to the stem, which makes it easier for both amateur and professional gardeners to understand whether the product has been effectively applied or not.
Duration Taken to Work
Plants come with their natural rooting hormones that take a long time to work. Therefore, artificial hormones are used to fasten the process. Most effective products take about 3-5 weeks to complete work on the roots.
However, make sure always to prepare 2-3 cuttings from the same plant because the rooting hormone might fail on one or two of the cuttings if not applied properly.
Multiple Usages
Check if the root hormone you are buying can provide other benefits or not. This helps to realize the value of your money thoroughly and also fastens the plant growth process. For example, some root hormones can enable protection from diseases and fungal attacks.
You will also see that several picks on our lists prevent transplant shock, which is an important criterion to look for to prevent your plants from withering while moving.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a rooting hormone do?
Answer: Although plants contain natural rooting hormones, they take quite a long time to work. A rooting hormone works as an artificial stimulant that helps plant roots to develop quickly. This product is quite useful when cloning new plants from stem cuttings.
2. How can I use a rooting hormone?
Answer: The method of using this hormone is quite easy. At first, you have to make a cutting from the stem of an existing plant measuring about 4 to 6 inches. Then you will have to dip 1 inch of its ends on the rooting hormone solution or gel. After this, you can plant the stem in a moist bed of soil.
3. Do rooting hormones work?
Answer: They surely do when applied according to the instructions provided in the instruction manual from the manufacturer. However, remember to prepare 2 to 3 cuttings from the stem to keep yourself safe from the margin of error.
4. What components work as alternatives to rooting hormones?
Answer: Some people use apple cider vinegar or cinnamon as a substitute for rooting hormones. However, it is best to use a rooting hormone product as it contains a lot of minerals and nutrients that promote plant development and growth.
5. What are some of the common ingredients in a rooting hormone?
Answer: Most commercialized rooting hormones are rich with the ingredient Indole-3-Butyric Acid. Besides this, they also contain different types of minerals and nutrients.
There are some organic rooting hormones available that contain beneficial fungi, bacteria, and mycorrhizae. Apart from this, ingredients like vitamins are also added in some of the hormones.
6. Can I make my own rooting hormone?
Answer: Yes, you can. You will require willow or honey to do this. If you don't have access to a willow tree, then you can simply use honey. Mix a tablespoon of honey with two cups of boiling water, and you can use this as a homemade substitute to a rooting hormone.
7. Do you need rooting hormones?
Answer: While cloning plants, chances of cuttings withering are high when no rooting hormones are used. Therefore, these products help cuttings to root better and improve your chances of cloning plants.
Final Words
For gardeners and plant lovers, cloning and replicating plants can be a common hobby. This process can be done easily if a rooting hormone is used to stimulate root growth.
Stem cuttings taken from plants have a higher chance of developing healthy roots when these hormones are used. They also protect the young plants from fungus and diseases.
We hope that our list of the 11 best rooting hormones in 2020 will be helpful for you, and you can make a good purchase.
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