Re: rooting gel advice?

**D* G* <g*@gmail.com>**

One of the things I've never understood was the use of rooting hormones and
gels.  The only time I ever use them is if I'm doing something tricky to
root - such as a rhodo or daphne or some other funky shrub.  In all other
cases, particularly with annuals or perennials, if the conditions are
right, the cuttings root quite quickly and easily.  Relatively high
humidity, soil at the right temperature, cutting taken at the right time
and controlled light.  In my trials, rooting hormone has never increased
the speed of the rooting, increased the percentage of rooting, nor had an
appreciable difference (i.e. made it easier to root if conditions were bad)
to my propagation. The only thing I do tend to use on shrubs or trickier
perennials is an antidesiccant to help retard cutting moisture loss.

So my question to all of you who are enthusiasts for this material - what's
the advantage for you in using them versus not using them?  Why do you use
rooting gels?

Doug

On Wed, May 23, 2012 at 6:35 AM, Lorraine Ballato <ladygardener@msn.com>wrote:

> Martha asked: Speaking of rooting gel, can anyone give me advice on which
> one to purchase?
>
>
> Hi, Martha!
>
> When I first started using it, the gel was unadulterated. I'm still using
> that initial supply.  However, now you can buy it with the rooting hormone
>  already mixed in. Various mail order suppliers list it: Charleys
> Greenhouse, Lee Valley, etc. A Google search probably will turn up more as
> will an Amazon check. When mine runs out, that's the route I will take.
> Simplify, simplify, simplify!
>
>
> Lorraine
>
>
-- 

Doug Green
Editor-in-Chief, SGF Publishing
One million readers a month can't all be wrong
http://www.douggreensgarden.com/about.html <http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com>
https://www.amazon.com/author/douglasgreen
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