by Jorge Cervantes
Rooting Hormones
Rooting hormones help initiate roots and are available in liquid, gel, or powder form. Use only products that are approved for human consumption and use before expiration date. As soon as cuttings are taken, clones start sending natural rooting hormones to the wound and arrive in full force in about a week. The artificial rooting hormone fills the need until natural hormones take over. Apply any rooting hormone containing Indolebutyric Acid (IBA) only once. If exceeded in concentration or duration, IBA applications impair root formation.
Liquid rooting hormones penetrate stems evenly and are the most versatile and consistent. They can be mixed in different concentrations. Always mix the most dilute concentration for softwood cannabis cuttings.
Gels are easy to use and practical. Gels keep root-inducing hormones evenly distributed along the subterranean stem. Insoluble gels hold and stay with the stem longer than liquids or powders.
Powdered rooting hormones do not stick to stems evenly, penetrate poorly, encourage uneven rot growth, and yield a lower survival rate.