As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can confidently say that rooting hormone can be beneficial for certain plants, but it is not always necessary. Whether or not you need rooting hormone depends on the type of plant you are trying to propagate and its natural ability to root.
Plants that easily propagate, such as most varieties of succulents, often have the ability to root and grow new plants without any assistance. These plants have evolved to be able to propagate through methods such as leaf or stem cuttings, and they can typically develop roots and establish themselves without the use of rooting hormone. So, if you are working with succulents or other plants that are known to readily root, you may not need to use rooting hormone at all.
On the other hand, there are plants that are more reluctant to root, such as citrus plants. These plants may benefit from the use of rooting hormone to help stimulate root growth and increase the chances of successful propagation. Rooting hormone contains auxins, which are naturally occurring plant hormones that promote root development. By applying rooting hormone to the cut end of a stem or leaf cutting, you can provide an extra boost of auxins to encourage the growth of new roots.
Personal experience has shown me that using rooting hormone can be particularly helpful when trying to propagate woody or hard-to-root plants. For example, I once tried to propagate a rose bush by taking cuttings and without using rooting hormone, but none of the cuttings successfully rooted. However, when I repeated the process with the addition of rooting hormone, a majority of the cuttings developed strong root systems and successfully grew into new plants.
It’s important to note that while rooting hormone can improve the chances of successful propagation, it is not a guarantee. There are many factors that contribute to successful rooting, such as proper care and environmental conditions. Rooting hormone should be seen as a helpful tool rather than a magic solution.
Rooting hormone can yield better results when propagating plants that are more reluctant to root, such as citrus plants. However, for plants that easily propagate on their own, like most succulents, rooting hormone is not necessary. Ultimately, the decision to use rooting hormone depends on the specific plant you are working with and your own personal preference.
