CULT: Willow Water (the solution)

In case anyone is curious, the effect the willow water is having on growth is
probably due to NAA (naphthaline acetic acid) a plant growth hormone which is
the effective ingredient in rooting compounds such as Rootone(R).  It has a
stimulating effect on root tips, but helps prevent the development of axillary
buds--the new growth points just inside the base of leaves on a stem--so that
the plant controls its own brushiness.  NAA keeps growth simple.

The hormone is produced naturally in plants by the new apical meristem tissues
and continues to be produced by soft cambium meristem--the layer between bark
and stem.  The suggestion that the willow stem pieces be smashed is a good
one, as this breaks up the especially tender slippery layer between bark and
stem--the cambium--literally, the layer of "change"--Latin root "cambi--."

Willow, I believe, is also the original source for the salicylic acid part of
Aspirin.  Willow bark tea combined with vinegar is the old herbal recipe for
headaches and other pains, vinegar contributing the acetyl radical.

Neil Mogensen   z 7 western NC

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