Home brewed rooting hormone?

Twig

Hi

I have been growing bonsai for a few years now, all from seed, and have looked on the internet for information from time to time. Wish I had found this great place earlier!

I recently repotted 2 japanese maples in late winter over here. One is 3 years old, the other 5 years old. They were getting quite big as I had let them grow unchecked but I decided it was time for some drastic pruning top and bottom so that I could start training them. I had cut some big roots in the process, around 2-3 cm in diameter. I didn't have any sealant at the time but I hope the potting mix is sufficiently well drained to avoid root rot.

Am I right in thinking that some rooting hormone would help my trees to callous over the wound quicker with more roots hopefully growing around the cut?

Also are there any natural liquids/materials I could use as an organic rooting agent or should I just go get the stuff off the shelf from my local nursery?

Would appreciate any help/pointers I can get.

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Alasdair

A short answer is: root hormone has very little effect on actual roots, therefore it probably won't help. If you applied a comercial root hormone you'll find that it contains fungicide which will help prevent rotting but will also harm the friendly fungi which the pine needs to thrive.

In short i'd say don't do it.

Organic root hormone? Do a search for willow water. It is simply a tea made from the bark of a willow tree which boosts rooting success dramatically.

Al

__________________
I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on...
Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth

rockm

"Am I right in thinking that some rooting hormone would help my trees to callous over the wound quicker with more roots hopefully growing around the cut?"

No. Rooting hormone won't help heal wounds, nor will it produce roots in root tissue. Rooting hormone "tells" NON-ROOT tissue to produce roots. Since root tissue is ALREADY root tissue, it's pointless to apply rooting hormones to roots. It can be used to get leaf and branch prunings and cuttings to root, though.

rockm

As for "organic" rooting hormone, no is such thing. There are rooting hormones. They're chemicals--Plants don't recognize the source of those chemicals. They'll use whatever they need.

You can search for more "natural" ways to get the rooting chemicals, like using willow water, but it's kind of beside the point. The idea is to apply HIGH concentrations of hormone to stimulate the plant to root. Willow water and other home remedies are usually alot less effective (and sometimes useless) in getting results because they aren't nearly strong enough, especially for species that can be reluctant to push new roots.

Twig

Thanks guys. You've saved my from the expense of applying rooting hormone to root tissue... It makes perfect sense to me now. I can't believe I asked the question! Thanks also for the tip on willow water. I can see my strike rate improving already.

Much appreciated!