Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 7: Understand the basics
• Method 2 of 7: Use cinnamon as "cutting powder"
• Method 3 of 7: Using apple cider vinegar as a cutting tonic
• Method 4 of 7: Using willow as a cutting tonic
• Method 5 of 7: Using honey as a hygienic cutting tonic
• Method 6 of 7: Using aspirin as a cutting tonic
• Method 7 of 7: Choose a rooting medium
• Tips
• Necessities

Natural cutting powders, compositions or tonics can be made in various ways. These methods can save some money or they may be the preferred method of growing your plants, depending on your personal gardening perspective (such as organic gardening). This article discusses various options for making your own cutting powder, compositions or tonics.

To step

Method 1 of 7: Understand the basics

1. Take the cutting at the right time so that you have a better chance of success. There are four types of stem cuttings based on the growth stage of the plant: herbaceous, softwood, semi-softwood, and hardwood. It is important to know which plant it is, as this will partly determine whether the cutting will take root. That's why you need to know the best time of the year to take cuttings. Do some research on the plant so you know the best times to take cuttings. Rooting will probably be more successful if you have taken the cutting at the right time in the growing cycle, especially if you have added cutting powder and used a suitable growing medium.
   • Weet had woody ornamental plants, herbs and some flower types to take root more easily than the cuttings of trees.
2. This rule applies in most cases. Cutting powder can come in handy, but you should never overdo it. Regardless of the type of cutting powder you prefer, commercial or homemade, try to use it sparingly. Too much can cause problems such as burning the cutting, stunted growth, making the growing medium available for fungi or bacteria, or in some way stunting root growth.
3. Make a separate container for this each time you use the cutting powder. To prevent possible disease transmission to future cuttings, do not submerge each cutting in a large container with your homemade cutting powder. Always limit it to the ends or pour the cutting powder for each batch of cuttings into a small container and throw it away once you have used it. Or just makes enough for today's cuttings.

Method 2 of 7: Use cinnamon as "cutting powder"

1. Use cinnamon. Cinnamon prevents the growth of fungi. Although it is less suitable as a cutting powder, the fact that it stops the growth of fungus means that your plants have a good chance of being able to grow without additional help.
2. Roll the cutting or dip it in ground cinnamon.
   • When dipping, pour some cinnamon into a cup and simply dip the cut stem into the cinnamon.
   • When you roll, pour a little cinnamon on a plate or some paper towels. Roll the end and both sides of the cutting in the cinnamon.
3. Plant in the appropriate growing medium (see below for help). Watch the cuttings grow into healthy little plants.

Method 3 of 7: Using apple cider vinegar as a cutting tonic

1. Use apple cider vinegar as a cutting powder. Just make sure you never use too much apple cider vinegar, because too much can affect the acidity and possibly cause the cutting to die.
2. Prepare a solution based on apple cider vinegar. You do this as follows:
   • Pour a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into 1.5 liters of water. It must be diluted for safety. Stir everything to mix it up.
3. Use. Dip the base of the cutting in the apple cider vinegar solution. Plant in a suitable growing medium (see below for help).

Method 4 of 7: Using willow as a cutting tonic

1. Find suitable willow branches. The willow branches should be small, the size of a pencil or smaller. Young branches contain the most indole-3-butyric acid, the hormone that stimulates rooting. You will need two cups full of small branches.
   • Alternatively, you can also use the bark of older willow trees. In that case you will need 3 cups, because older bombs contain much less of this hormone. Both the bark of the trunk and the branches are suitable for this.
   • Don't try to use branches you found on the ground, as these are dead and the hormone will no longer be active.
2. Cut the branches or bark into smaller pieces. If you are using branches, you will need to cut them into pieces that are 3 - 6 inches long. If you are using bark then you should cut it into 5-10 cm pieces.
3. Choose a pot or container that is large enough to hold both the pieces of willow and 4 quarts of water. Add the pieces of willow.
4. Boil 4 liters of water in a separate container.
5. Pour the boiled water over the willow pieces in the other pot or container. Set aside to infuse. Leave this for at least 12 hours and preferably 24 hours.
6. Strain the willow mixture into clean glass bottles. Remove all pieces of willow. Put the caps on and label the bottles with the date. The cutting tonic is now ready for use. Store in the refrigerator for up to two months.
7. Use the tonic. To use it, you need to pour some of the tonic into a small container where the cuttings fit effortlessly. Add the cuttings to the container with the cut portion facing the solution. Let it sit for a few hours for the tonic to do its job. The cuttings are then ready to be planted in the appropriate growing medium (see below for help).

Method 5 of 7: Using honey as a hygienic cutting tonic

1. Use honey. Some gardeners claim that honey contains enzymes that stimulate plant root growth. However, the best-known benefit of honey is that it has an antiseptic effect that can give the cutting a healthy start and take root without additional help. Honey contains both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
2. Dip the cut end of the cutting in a little honey.
   • Remember that sometimes less is more, so make sure you don't use too much honey, as the sugars it contains can backfire if you use too much of it.
3. Propagate according to the specific needs of the plant. Plant in a suitable growing medium (see below for help).
4. Keep the cutting moist and mist often to prevent it from drying out. The honey will keep the cutting moist and it will have an antiseptic effect.

Method 6 of 7: Using aspirin as a cutting tonic

1. Buy aspirin in pill or capsule form. Avoid plastic-coated versions, as the plant does not need such chemicals!
2. Place the pill or capsule in a cup of water. Let it dissolve before using. You can stir to help solve it, but this won't take long anyway so there's no need to do anything.
3. Place the cuttings in the cup of water with the dissolved aspirin. Let the cutting (s) soak in the aspirin solution for several hours.
4. Plant the cutting (s) in a suitable growing medium (see below for help). The aspirin can stimulate rooting in the same way it can help preserve cut flowers.

Method 7 of 7: Choose a rooting medium

1. Know what to look for when it comes to rooting medium for cuttings. As with cutting powder, the medium used to place the cutting is an important aspect that has a major influence on the success of rooting. The rooting medium must have the following properties:
   • Low fertility.
   • Holds water well without getting soggy and drains well. This ensures that the cutting and roots do not dry out.
   • It helps the cutting sufficiently but is flexible enough to accommodate the growing roots.
   • It does not contain harmful organisms such as bacteria, fungi or other pathogens.
   • It does not contain insects or weed seeds.
2. Choose a suitable rooting medium for the cutting. Standard materials for this include rough sand, perlite, vermiculite (but beware as this can become too dense or soggy), sand or perlite mixed with peat moss, etc. However, it is important to find out where the specific plant you are trying to propagate excels in, as some mediums will work better than others. For example, some plants will require a more acidic medium and others a more alkaline medium.
   • Water is not a suitable rooting medium for most plants unless succulents such as mint, ivy, philodendrons and coleus are involved.

Tips

• Note: When you propagate plants you will often find that you do not need any cutting powder at all. That is why you can first try to take a few cuttings and multiply them without additional treatment. It may work without adding anything.
• A solution of willow bark can also act as a growth stimulant for cuttings.
• Products containing B1 will not stimulate rooting; it is the hormone and fertilizer in such products that cause the roots to establish. So save yourself the money and don't get caught up in such marketing!

Necessities

• Natural remedy of your choice
• Cuttings
• Growing medium in a container that is suitable for the specific cutting