Why use rooting hormone?

I'm "new" to growing. But spent quite a lot of time and money to make sure I started off right. So I have a pretty nice setup and I'm always looking to improve things or processes. At the outset I knew I wanted to grow organically in dirt and keep things all natural. So for cloning, I just cut, dip in water and then put them into rapid Rooter peat dealies. Out of 26 attempted clones, only 2 did not root and 75% of the rest rooted in 6-8 (never more than 10) days without hormones.

So I tried a free sample of Supernatural Brand Root Burst powder that I was given at a store. We took 4 cuttings and planted them using the directions on the package. The 4 clones took 7 (1), 9 (2) and 11 (1) days to show roots.

I ask, if the stuff slows me down, why should I use it, or spend money on it? We've never had slower performance in rooting than we had with this fancy high tech stuff.

'pinions?

Good question, although hormone powder I've never used. I'd do a test with Hormone gel to compare more accurate results as your relying on the powder to get wet, and be absorbed. ths the gel would be more effective and give a more accurate idea as to which of the two would be the slowest

Hoochy said:

Good question, although hormone powder I've never used. I'd do a test with Hormone gel to compare more accurate results as your relying on the powder to get wet, and be absorbed. ths the gel would be more effective and give a more accurate idea as to which of the two would be the slowest

Click to expand...

I agree, but for me it would be splitting hairs. Even if I found a product to get me some roots popping out of the Rapid Rooter in three days, how natural is it? Can I still claim "organic"? Is a 3-day root-boosted plant any better than a 7-day, unassisted plant?

If a clone doesn't "want" to root, there must be a reason and I don't want to "make" it root and grow into something that will be susceptible to any ugliness.

It can definetly still be classed as organic IMO. It's only for the cloning, and at no stage does it affect taste/flavour.
At the end of the day, whether you grow naturally or not, both require nutrients, and organic nutrients come in form of blood & bone etc. So if you thought about it logically, there is no REAL 'organic' meaning as all plants require fertilizer. Whether it be something as simple as breaking down food, or other..

Personally, if you were that concerned then do a test with 2 products, and 1 natural. Then write a report/review and let us all know whether we're wasting our time

Powder is actually supposed to be best for soil. I get the same results, about the same time with or without it. I cant remeber the name but there is a rooting powder that claims to be the only organic one, but i dont know about that

If you are using rapid rooter Plugs you do not need a rooting horomone, they already have all the Micro-Nutrients needed to sprout new roots.

Now if you were using regular soil, I'd say to use the powder.

If you are using Rockwool, Use the Gel.

Interesting info from all! Thanks! I'll probably just go without. We never lose em, even going naked!