Plant Propagation, DIY Natural Rooting Hormones

Plant propagation is easy with garden cuttings and natural plant hormones!

We've found propagating plants from cuttings to be much easier than we first thought years ago when starting out with our nursery.  Importantly, propagating plants with natural rooting hormones avoids exposure to industrial made, potentially toxic chemicals too.

Over the years we can also honestly say there is no significant difference with respect to rooting success between natural rooting methods and synthetic powders.

Our favorite rooting method involves; a clean mason glass jar, clean water and a sunlight filled windowsill.  That's all!

DIY Plant Propagation for survival garden with water, windowsill mason jars and plants

Right now our basil plant cuttings are rooting in two to three days max.

The plant rooting process in nature begins when a stem or small branch is damaged or broken.  Most plants contain a number of different hormones that influence root production, one of the most common being a substance called IBA, or indole-3-butyric acid.

When IBA is present, damaged plant cells begin a process called callusing to seal over the open vascular components of the plant to prevent viral and bacterial invasions.

Once a callus forms then the callused cells begin to form microroots.

With respect to at home rooting projects there are two principals to remember.  The first is the process of keeping the cut area of the stem free from rotting infection.   The second is providing hormones, like IBA, to the cutting to encourage callus and subsequent microroot growth. 

As mentioned, we have found the easiest rooting method is to allow the plant's natural callus formation process to occur in a jar of or under a mist of water.  Ensuring the plant cutting receives adequate hydration while calluses form is essential to cutting survival.  

One of the very best cutting hydration methods is periodic leaf misting.

Our larger greenhouse propagation system worked best with a two minute mist every twenty minutes.

Some propagation experts like to add a variety of 'natural' substances (some of which contain IBA) to enhance callus and root production.  These readily available materials include:

• Apple cider vinegar, a few drops diluted with lots of water,
• Cinnamon powder from the kitchen spice rack,
• Aloe gel straight from the plant,
• Willow tree bark tea or diluted alcohol extract,
• Raw honey, and
• Crushed aspirin tablets.

Frankly I've found all one needs to successfully root just about any plant is water.

Water in a jar works fine for many plants.  The best method as mentioned above though is periodic leaf misting.

If you choose leaf misting, consider placing damp, clean sand in a sterilized seedling tray.  Place your cuttings in the sand and under the misting heads.  Set your misting timer to come on for a minute or so every twenty to thirty minutes.  You will end up with so many plants!

Florida permaculture plant propagation, potting up rooted basil

Rooting your own plants ensures quality growth.  You control what substances are applied to during and after the rooting process.  This can be especially important for food crops.

The beauty of plant propagation is exponential.  Buying plants from the home improvement store can be expensive, and the quality may be questionable at times.

Rooting skills are important to the survival or homestead and permaculture gardener.  I suggest the importance of understanding rooting principals is directly related to the hands on experience with rooting.  Both successes and failures teach us much.

If you think rooting cuttings may be a skill you are interested in acquiring I'd suggest starting with a basil plant from your local Publix.  Take a pair of scissors and cut off (cut the stem at a forty five degree angle) all the six to eight inch branches you can harvest from the plant.  Fill a clean mason jar half to three quarters full of water and place the cut stems (cuttings) into the jar.  Place the jar with water and cuttings into a sunny windowsill and mist the leaves two or three times a day.  

Plant propagation skills are important to the survival gardener.  Plant propagation skills provide resources, commerce, security and so much more.

Before you know it your jar will be filled with roots and the plants ready for transplanting.