Make your own rooting compound

The first hormone discovered to cause root growth is called auxin, and the synthetic version is what we find in commercially sold rooting compounds today.

The willow plant is a natural source of auxin. Therefore, it can be very easy to make up a fresh batch of rooting compound whenever you need to plant some new cuttings.
Gather a  handful of willow branch tips,
chop or mash into smaller pieces,
fill small container with branch tips and water and allow to sit overnight.
Dip cuttings into water then put into your soil or potting mix.

If you don’t have access to a willow tree, aspirin is made from willow bark so it has the same effect as willow water. This is what I did. I used plain aspirin and dissolved two tablets in a quart jar of water overnight then used it to dip my cuttings in..

One comment

  1. KJP says:

    Cool idea! Thanks, I will try this.

    Also, Aspirin today is a synthetic salicylic acid version developed in Germany in 1852. Works just the same as the white willow extract used before.

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