Page 13 - Griffin Gazette - June 2023

USING THE SPRAY DRIP DOWN METHOD ROOTING HORMONE BENEFIT BY CROP
Hortus IBA Water Soluble Salt is mixed into a The tables below show the relative expected benefit of using rooting
solution with water and is sprayed over the top of hormone based on research at Michigan State University, see https://www.
recently stuck cuttings. The goal is to spray the canr.msu.edu/news/rooting_hormones_improve_uniformity_among_
rooting solution onto the leaves until the material vegetative_cuttings
drips down the cutting stem, avoiding saturation
media surface. The application is best made Plants rated “High Benefit” or “Moderate Benefit”, will generally root faster
soon after sticking and when the plant material and more evenly with addition of IBA salts. Those rated “Low Benefit” may
is not under heat stress, such as early morning. not show enhanced rooting time or uniformity with the use of hormone. All
After the application, wait 45 minutes or until the genera will be subject to potential differences between various cultivars.
solution dries on the leaves, then resume regular However, the use of Hortus Water Soluble IBA salts will improve the rooting
misting cycles. Hortus IBA Water Soluble Salts of most crops, and aid in efficient production of difficult to propagate crops.
have a 0 hour REI and do not require re-entry PPE.
The benefits of the Spray Drip Down method are: ANNUALS: Ranking propagation benefit from rooting hormone
reduced chance of disease transfer compared to Low Benefit Moderate Benefit High Benefit
dipping, application is much faster and efficient,
saving time and money. In addition, IBA is targeted Annual species
to the foliage and stem, the parts of the plant with Abutilon Alternanthera Gazania Bougainvillea
the greatest uptake efficiency for this hormone. Coleus Angelonia Geranium, Zonal Brachycome
This leads to greater rooting success and allows for Diascia Antirrhinum Helichrysum Bracteantha
multiple applications if necessary. Heliotropium Argyranthemum Lantana Calibrachoa
Impatiens –Double Bacopa Lobularia Cineraria
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION METHODS Impatiens Begonia –Hiemalis Lophospermum Crossandra
–New Guinea
As mentioned earlier, Hortus IBA Water Soluble Ipomoea Begonia –Reiger Nemesia Dahlia
Salts is a flexible product, allowing multiple Petchoa Begonia – Rex Oternaria Dracaena
application methods to fit any propagation Petunia Bidens Pedilanthus Geranium, Regal
process as described here: Perilla Brachycome Plumbago Heliotrope
Plectranthus Calocephalus Poinsettia Hibiscus, tropical
Basal Quick Dip – use on cuttings in the growing
season and dormant winter cuttings. The basal Portulaca Catharanthus Pseuderanthemum Lobelia
ends of the cuttings are dipped ¾ of an inch into the Setcreasea Chamaesyce Salvia Mandevilla
rooting solution and then stuck in the media. Verbena Clerodendrum Santolina Mimulus
Cuphea Scaevola Osteospermum
Total Immerse – use for leafy cuttings in the Diascia Strobilanthes Phlox drummondii
growing season. The cuttings are totally immersed Dipladenia Torenia Scaevola
in the rooting solution for a few seconds and then Fuchsia Vinca major Thunbergia
stuck in the media.
Basal Long Soak – use on cuttings in the growing PERENNIALS: Ranking propagation benefit from rooting hormone
season and dormant winter cuttings. Immerse the Low Benefit Moderate Benefit High Benefit
basal end of cuttings in approximately 1 inch of Perennial species
rooting solution for 12 to 48 hours. Stick immediately Achillea Artemesia Lavender Baptisia
or store. Ajuga Buddleia Leucanthemum Dianthus
Artemesia Campanula Lobelia Euphorbia
Application by Basal Dip is the traditional method Gaillardia Caryopteris Malva Gypsophila
typically used for annual and perennial cuttings. Galium Ceratostigma Penstemon Heuchera
The Total Immersion and Basal Long Soak methods Helenium Coreopsis Phlox paniculata Hydrangea
are used more often for woody plants or otherwise Lamium Delosperma Phlox subulata Iberis
difficult to root plants. Lysimachia Erysimum Rosemary Lithodora diffusa
Monarda Euonymus Salvia
Hortus IBA Water Soluble Salts may also be used
on ornamentals after transplant to increase rooting Nepeta Eupatorium Scabiosa
and growth. Apply by the spray down method as Pachysandra Geranium Vinca minor
above. Experiment with a small number of plants Perovskia Hedera Viola
before application to the entire crop. Sedum Heliopsis
Thymus Hibiscus
Veronica Hypericum

GRIFFIN GAZETTE 2023 | 13