tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post740014527356448292..comments2024-03-26T10:01:18.135-04:00Comments on Living the Frugal Life: Natural -and Homemade- Rooting HormoneKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-67893054385429582562013-08-28T11:31:43.316-04:002013-08-28T11:31:43.316-04:00I saw several things today that said your saliva w...I saw several things today that said your saliva will do well as a rooting hormone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-31064748951946611892013-06-06T19:46:02.923-04:002013-06-06T19:46:02.923-04:00This is awesome!! I have so many things I'd li...This is awesome!! I have so many things I'd like to root, just for the heck of it!MustLuvPetshttp://www.mustluvpets.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-10141623389099723522012-10-19T17:02:07.073-04:002012-10-19T17:02:07.073-04:00I'll bet that organically grown willow powder ...I'll bet that organically grown willow powder purchased from an herbal dealer will work. I'll give it a try! And human/animal saliva? Wow. So spit in a bucket, add honey, willow leaves/extract/etc., and oxygenated water. Sounds like fun. Love your site!Shirleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-66737655784690960372012-07-30T23:30:42.344-04:002012-07-30T23:30:42.344-04:00Just as many have said before me: "I love thi...Just as many have said before me: "I love this post!" Thank you for the great info! I live in the lowcountry & willows are everywhere on my property. I had been attempting to root some hydrangea clippings, the frugal way (using nothing but my black gold/dirt), but this was the answer! Although they looked like sticks in the mud for a while, I kept the faith & my transplanted clippings began to form leaves a few weeks ago. I've got confidence they will begin to thrive moreso in our dark soil. I'll let you know how many make it thru to next Spring. Thank you again!Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08340540225590311973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-70336474592126618812012-07-18T13:17:05.932-04:002012-07-18T13:17:05.932-04:00Homemade rooting hormones can be made from natural...Homemade rooting hormones can be made from natural apple cider vinegar in water or willow water, which is made by soaking 6-8” willow stems in water overnight. Human or animal saliva works even better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-61927571323306536062012-04-09T10:28:27.287-04:002012-04-09T10:28:27.287-04:00When taking cuttings, there are a few steps that y...When taking cuttings, there are a few steps that you should take in addition to using the rooting hormone, of any kind or fashion. In particular putting the cutting in water as soon as they are cut. This prevents air from entering the stem. Secondly, and probably the most important, is making sure that your cutting get <i>oxygenated</i> water. This can be as simple as shaking the container that the cuttings are in daily. A more sophisticated method uses an airstone. I see so many people sticking a cutting in water or dirt with some rooting compund and it either drowns (no oxygen) in the former or desiccates (no roots)in the latter. <br /><br />Roots need oxygen (leaves/stomata use CO2), and obviously the whole plant needs water. <br /><br />If you get oxygen to the roots and keep the humidity high and/or mist your cuttings, you will get a very high survival rate. I personally never use rooting hormone until I remove the cutting from the oxygenated water and move to soil. This is when there is even the slightest hint of roots forming. There is additional technique as to where to take a cutting and how many nodes and/or how long it needs to be, but I find that the "hump" to successfully propagating cuttings is keeping them alive for few days after being cut. That is where the getting the cuttings in water after being cut and then oxygenating the water.<br /><br />If you follow these methods you will be rarely, if ever, disappointed from a cutting not taking instead of excited because a cutting or two took!last2knowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13071799766817691751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-25452035608489907222012-03-15T10:59:22.772-04:002012-03-15T10:59:22.772-04:001. Willows can grow in subarctic conditions. 2. Th...1. Willows can grow in subarctic conditions. 2. They contain material similar to that in aspirin, not sure what it is. 3. I stuck willow twigs in the damp ground once, but they didn't take. However, I'm trying this rooting solution now for variegated forsythia and variegated dogwood, and will report back if I remember to. 4. Honey also has antibacterial properties, I've heard, so maybe that helps. 5. This site seems to be a good one!Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10287019940832604009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-12058118707188342402011-04-15T10:39:20.350-04:002011-04-15T10:39:20.350-04:00Awesome!!! I've been an avid landscaper for 15...Awesome!!! I've been an avid landscaper for 15 years and have never heard of this. I can't wait to try it out. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13822162628393979519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-11300236086985065012011-01-20T13:45:27.869-05:002011-01-20T13:45:27.869-05:00Anon, sorry for the late response. You've lik...Anon, sorry for the late response. You've likely already gotten results on your question. In general I think if there are healthy roots there's hope for the plant. Overwatering can be as devastating to plants as underwatering. I like to mist my houseplants with a spray bottle filled with tap water. It's hard to overwater in this way, and plants definitely can absorb the water through their leaves. They seem to like it too.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-21553276081528435782011-01-08T20:25:12.950-05:002011-01-08T20:25:12.950-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.eahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08478226021275574348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-62011071976621726422011-01-08T20:22:30.983-05:002011-01-08T20:22:30.983-05:00I almost feel too ashamed to ask these questions a...I almost feel too ashamed to ask these questions about the Colocasia "Elephant Ears" that I have all but killed. Since it belonged to my mother and she recently passed in June ... I'll seem the fool in order to try to save some part of it, at least. First, I over-watered it (saw leaves turning yellow and about 2" of water left in the saucer of the pot). From the Spring months and through December I had been watering it with the same frequency and amounts (now I know better). I removed it separated the roots from the offending soil and let it stay out of any type medium (about 2 days). Let the soil dry out a bit ( can be really cheap). Put the roots back in water for a day or two. Took it out of the water and back into the soil which is now partially dry. <br />The poor little thing (it was about 18' tall and more than 2’ wide all around). Now, there are very few leaves, the stems are spindley and cannot hold themselves up. Am I a murderer? Can anyone save me from my destructive ways? Any information would be appreciated at this point. I am simply heartbroken over what I have done to my mother’s Beautiful Plant.<br />P.S. it does have roots that have not rotted away yet.<br />I too ashamed to send a picture...but will if needed.<br /><br />Thank you, EAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-78319556590624915562010-11-03T06:56:31.490-04:002010-11-03T06:56:31.490-04:00Mitzi, glad it's useful to you. I've loca...Mitzi, glad it's useful to you. I've located several willows in our environs as well. I'm tucking the information away until our spring comes around. Hope you succeed with your willow rooting solution if you try it.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-56782194565721489602010-11-03T00:13:12.718-04:002010-11-03T00:13:12.718-04:00Hi Kate, this is a truly useful post! Other resear...Hi Kate, this is a truly useful post! Other research revealed that a dissolved aspirin works similarly to a willow tea ... a favourite old bit of wisdom I once heard is that aspirin is made from willow bark, because willows dip themselves into the river to cool down: it gave the old 'witches' the idea of using it to cool down over-heated humans. <br /><br />I'll be at my river for an evening jog, and this time time I'll be looking for a willow tree.M L Jassyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13918911547104202603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-36310957231597684212010-05-24T07:17:45.362-04:002010-05-24T07:17:45.362-04:00Chris, I haven't a clue. Seems like the sort ...Chris, I haven't a clue. Seems like the sort of thing a quick internet search could turn up an answer to.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-11774818176601514672010-05-23T01:00:06.239-04:002010-05-23T01:00:06.239-04:00Hi Kate,
Any idea if willow grows in tropical cli...Hi Kate,<br /><br />Any idea if willow grows in tropical climates? Commercial rooting hormones are a little expensive for my taste.Chris and his Tomatohttp://cianoy.blogspot.com/2010/05/tomatoes-and-mulching-companion.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-84335231982407820262010-04-28T08:35:53.097-04:002010-04-28T08:35:53.097-04:00Ga Cowgirl, interesting. I knew that honey had be...Ga Cowgirl, interesting. I knew that honey had been used topically to treat burns and wounds, and that its hygroscopic properties made it antibiotic. But I didn't realize that the sugars played a part in tissue regeneration. Thanks for enlightening me.<br /><br />Chris, thanks for reporting back on the honey experiment. Personally I would hesitate to use honey for that purpose based on the cost alone. Honey is not cheap, either from a monetary or labor perspective. I'd probably go the willow route just for that reason. But I'm grateful for any knowledge about how things work. So thank you very much for trying it and sharing the results. I hope you'll share any further experimental results.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-73898086784649986952010-04-27T18:19:00.066-04:002010-04-27T18:19:00.066-04:00Hi Kate! I tried the honey solution with a cutting...Hi Kate! I tried the honey solution with a cuttings from my petunia, hydrangea and mums. They all look dead to me. ;-) I tried reusing one of the small pots and there were lots of ants, which is what I feared. I have to say this particular experiment is a bust. <br /><br />Meanwhile, another mums cutting that I just stuck into the soil seems to have rooted already. A hydrangea cutting that I left in water has not rooted, but has remained fresh for about two weeks now. <br /><br />I'll experiment with honey again soon. Maybe I'll change something up.Chris and his Oreganohttp://cianoy.blogspot.com/2010/04/welcome-oregano.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-8115617002386556832010-04-24T22:04:01.768-04:002010-04-24T22:04:01.768-04:00The i..butyric acid in willow is an auxin, I think...The i..butyric acid in willow is an auxin, I think. And about the honey...honey was one of the first anitbiotics used to help wounds heal. Even sugar will help. It's because rapidly growing tissue of any kind-human, animal or plant-needs carbs to fuel their growth. The honey supplies the carbs, along with natural fungicides that really do work on plants. I am a fan of raw honey but I think any type would help. I would add honey to the water I used with the cuttings. Love your blog, just have never posted. Thanks for all your hard work.Ga Cowgirlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-49818923261491329782010-04-15T09:05:08.362-04:002010-04-15T09:05:08.362-04:00Chris, I might worry about the ants too. Please t...Chris, I might worry about the ants too. Please to update me with your results!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-87455795445701665592010-04-14T07:21:53.337-04:002010-04-14T07:21:53.337-04:00Hi Kate!
I got so curious about this honey as roo...Hi Kate!<br /><br />I got so curious about this honey as rooting hormone that I tried it earlier. I experimented with my hydrangea, my petunia and my mums. <br /><br />I also Googled it. Seems to be a popular method. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks if anything survived. <br /><br />I'm worried about ants eating my cuttings.Chris and his Lavenderhttp://cianoy.blogspot.com/2010/04/lavender-care-propagation-root-division.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-84431383645364169272010-04-14T06:54:29.276-04:002010-04-14T06:54:29.276-04:00Mira, welcome and thanks for adding to the discuss...Mira, welcome and thanks for adding to the discussion on lavender. My plants are still very young, but I'll remember your tips for when they get older.<br /><br />Chris, the first I'd ever heard of honey being used for propagation by cutting was in this 'ere comment section. Even Wendy, who mentioned it, doesn't sound like she's ever tried it. You may need to do some googling. Please let us know if you try it out though.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-35865734511192400742010-04-14T01:05:29.686-04:002010-04-14T01:05:29.686-04:00Hello there! I didn't know there are natural w...Hello there! I didn't know there are natural ways to create rooting hormone. Unfortunately, I don't think willows grow in our climate. <br /><br />Does the honey thing work? Any kind of honey?Chris and his Lavenderhttp://cianoy.blogspot.com/2010/04/lavender-care-propagation-root-division.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-56056653917608664722010-04-13T05:37:33.344-04:002010-04-13T05:37:33.344-04:00Oh, I forgot! A lavender that has started to grow ...Oh, I forgot! A lavender that has started to grow naked at the foot doesn't necessarily need to be replaced! Just dig it up, dig its hole a bit deeper, and put it down again so the naked parts comes underground! It's a miracle cure for tired old lavenders - but don't try it on anything else! ;)<br /><br />MiraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-40863653841502342132010-04-13T05:33:23.723-04:002010-04-13T05:33:23.723-04:00Hathor's Bath: I suppose it depends on the spe...Hathor's Bath: I suppose it depends on the species/variety, but I have never had problems with lavender cuttings - in fact, most of mine are propagated simply by sticking a twig into the soil in the spot I would like it to grow, and so far *knock on wood* I've had 100% success. Those that were not made like this, but rooted in pots instead (my first lavenders ever), are also thriving.<br /><br />Re. willow rooting hormone: I haven't tried it, but I have heard that you can use chipped willow wood all year, and that it doesn't even have to be fresh. You make it the way Kate says in the blog (boiled water and seeping overnight), but instead of dipping the plant in it you water with it. I got a box full of bits of willow handy in case I should stumble over a plant that's difficult to propagate without hormones.<br /><br />Mira<br /><br />PS. Adore this blog! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-82437118319527020082010-04-04T09:37:37.366-04:002010-04-04T09:37:37.366-04:00Hathor's bath, I'm shocked to hear that th...Hathor's bath, I'm shocked to hear that the germination rate is so low. I put four seeds into four extra cell packs I happened to have last year and got three plants. I think it was "Munstead" lavender. Perhaps that's different from English lavender, with a better germination rate? Thanks for the details about lavender's growth habit. My plants are still very small, but one day I may choose to propagate from cuttings rather than mess around with seeds again.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.com