Find out all about rooting hormone. This substance is a great tool for propagating (rooting) all types of houseplants. In this video, watch while I propagate a Goldfish plant using rooting hormone. Rooting hormone speeds up propagation of houseplants and helps ensure success. These products provide extra auxin, which leads to successful root development.
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Today, I’m going to talk to you a little bit about rooting hormone, which is a great houseplant tool. If you’re starting plants from cuttings, you can speed up the process and ensure greater success by using rooting hormone. The one we’re using today is a powdered form, but rooting hormones also come in gels and liquids. If you’re rooting in water, a liquid form is best.
Rooting hormones provide supplemental amounts of auxin—a natural plant hormone that aids in root development. Auxins are found naturally at rooting nodes on stems. This product boosts those natural hormones and helps increase the success rate for a wide variety of cuttings.
We’ll be demonstrating using a goldfish plant cutting, but you can also use rooting hormone on plants like pothos, Chinese evergreen, all dracaenas, dieffenbachia, philodendron, and African violet, among others. Rooting hormone is especially useful for plants that are harder to propagate by just placing them in water or soil.
It’s important to handle rooting hormone with care. Avoid inhaling it or getting it on your skin. Also, note that it loses potency after about 12 to 18 months, so if your old rooting hormone isn’t working, it’s likely expired.
For propagation, I use a special propagation mix that’s moist (but not soggy). You can dip the cutting directly into the rooting hormone or apply it using a fine paintbrush. I recommend brushing it directly onto the nodes to avoid excess.
Trim the cutting just below a node. Insert it into the propagation mix deep enough to cover one or two nodes, which will give the plant more opportunities to grow roots. Be mindful not to leave too many leaves on the cutting, as it can divert energy from root formation. However, leave at least two leaves so the plant can photosynthesize.
After inserting the cutting, you can gently tap off any excess hormone. Using a clean dowel helps you make a clean hole in the mix for the cutting. Once you’ve planted the cutting, lightly press the soil around it for stability.
To create a humid environment, cover the container with a plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band. This mini-greenhouse effect helps retain moisture and encourages root growth. Make sure the mix stays moist by checking it regularly with a dowel. You can also reuse this method for propagating pothos and other plants.
This is a simple, effective way to propagate houseplants using rooting hormone. It gives your cuttings a strong start and reduces the chances of failure. Once the cuttings develop roots, transfer them from the propagation mix to regular potting soil.
Goldfish Plant Propagation and Care FAQ
How do you propagate a goldfish plant?
Goldfish plants can be propagated by taking cuttings and using rooting hormone to encourage root growth. Place the cuttings in a moisture-retentive, well-draining propagation mix for best results.How long does it take for goldfish plant cuttings to root?
It typically takes around two months for goldfish plant cuttings to develop roots when using rooting hormone and proper propagation conditions.What type of soil is best for repotting a goldfish plant?
A pre-moistened, well-draining soil mix that retains some moisture but doesn’t stay soggy is ideal for repotting goldfish plants.Do I need to use a humidity dome for propagated goldfish plants?
Yes, using a humidity dome helps maintain moisture and encourages healthy root development during the early stages of propagation.What should I do if one of the cuttings doesn’t root?
If a cutting doesn’t root, it’s best to discard it and try propagating a new cutting from the mother plant for better success.Patreon: 
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Rooting hormone in gel form: https://amzn.to/3OtJvs7