B1, DMSO, rooting Hormone?

Bgw

In "The Bonsai Workshop", Herb Gustafson references a recipe of 1tsp B1, 1 tsp DMSO, and 1 tsp of rooting hormone mixed with 1 gal of water to be used to spray roots exposed when you are working on them. Although I couldn't find the definition in his book, Wikipedia reveals DMSO is 'dimethyl sulfoxide', a solvent made from wood.

Any thoughts or experiences on using this recipe?

(I searched the forum and did not find reference to any previous discussions about it. Once I read the Wikipedia description, it's benefit seemed obvious. I spoke to someone in a health store and they said they sell a product for shingles: 90% DMSO, 10% Aloe Vera. The DMSO acts as a topical vehicle for the Aloe Vera. )

B.

Advertisement

darrellw

I can't comment on that use, but Michael Hagedorn does use some added to liquid rooting hormone when doing air layering. From the Japanese Maple that we did last summer, and just separated, it works very well!

There is some controversy over applying rooting hormone to tissue that is already roots, in that it probably doesn't do anything.

DMSO is pretty interesting, in that it freezes at about 65 degrees F. So depending on your room temp, you may need to thaw it before use!

PatArizona

G'day B...

"...spray roots exposed when you are working on them..."

Herb is one of my favorite authors and I would trust Mike Hagedorn with my life, my bonsai, my wife (we’ve known him for about 10 years)...and I wouldn't even consider saying either of them is wrong.

Howsomeever...I would not use anything...well, almost not anything (i.e. B1, DMSO)...that is not indicated for plant use.

A little information on DMSO: DMSO dissolves a varity of organic sustances, including carbohydrates. Carbs...fulfill numerous roles in living things, such as, the storage and transport of energy (starch, glycogen) and structural components (cellulose in plants, chitin in animals). Also, DMSO is an effective
paint stripper.

Personally, I choose NOT TO USE a substance that (1) dissolves cellulose; and, (2) is an effective paint stripper.

Following is what I use for spraying roots, foliage...and for fertilizer...

Observing the manufacturers instructions, I combine the following DYNA-GRO products: (1) GROW Liquid Plant Food – 7-9-5, fertilizer; (2) KLN Liquid Rooting Concentrate; and, (3) Pro-TeKt Liquid Silicon Solution, which provides heat and cold protection for roots and foliage.

I use this solution for (1) regular fertilizing; (2) as a spray to protect leaves from heat and cold; (3) as a spray to keep the roots from drying out during repotting; and, (4) as the medium to soak the roots and soil, as the last step in the repotting process.

No DMSO...ever.

This is what works for me. It might work for you. Or not.

Pat

__________________
BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

Bgw

Hi Pat and Darell,

So far no one has fessed up to actually trying Herb's recipe. Well, no one except for Herb that is. Hmmm...

Thanks,

B.

xghostx

We use it in our lab as a cryoprotectant when freezing down cells. It is always available if anyone would like to try it.

GrumbleGuts

I have a PhD in chemistry, and have used DMSO extensivelly. Biologically, it is used as a membrane transport agent, it takes molecules dissolved in it and transports them across a membrane (eg root cell wall). It is relatively non-toxic in its own right, but EXTREMELY dangerous mixed with other things. eg if you put your finger in dmso that has had garlic dissolved in it you will taste garlic in your mouth. It transports things across the skin barrier as though it weren't there. If you dissolved snake venom in it and splashed it on you it would be worse than eating in, as it enters the blood stream without being metabolised much like a snake bite.

Always wear gloves when handling DMSO. trust me on this.

It is fansatic in that it helps the plants uptake of the indolinone and B1 but helps your own uptake of the same stuff.

__________________
When I battle with water bombs I freeze them first.