Rooting of Cuttings 



reputable commercial preparations is that with each bottle is 

 given a list indicating accurately the special requirements of 

 cuttings of many named plants. 



Stock I per cent, solutions of named synthetics can also be 

 bought. These are intended for the buyer who for experi- 

 mental or other reasons wishes to use a particular substance 

 and / or to have it at a known strength. 



How to Use 



In addition to solutions in water, pastes or salves consisting 

 of the substances mixed with lanolin (wool-fat) can also be 

 obtained or prepared. These are chiefly useful for local 

 applications, such as smearing on definite areas of stems or 

 wounds, and are of little practical value for inducing rooting 

 on cuttings, which is at present the main horticultural utility 

 of commercial growth-substances. 



As the whole subject of utilization of growth-substances is 

 new, no definite rules for their use have yet emerged, and to 

 that extent every user must for a time be an experimenter. 



The following indicates the general lines of procedure for 

 treatment of cuttings, starting with pure (solid) substances. It 

 may be varied to suit inclinations, and as experience is gained. 



For best results, cuttings should bear some leaves. 



Divide the batch of cuttings to be treated into three lots. 

 From the stock solution, if that is of indole-acetic acid, 

 prepare three solutions containing, say, about 5, 10 and 15 

 parts of acid per 100,000 of water. That is, to 10 millilitres of 

 the stock solution add 2,000 millilitres (roughly two quarts) of 

 water, to another 10 millilitres of the stock add 1,000 millilitres 

 (one quart), and to another 10 millilitres add 670 millilitres 

 of water (half a quart, and a bit). (Another way would be to 

 get your pharmacist to make up solutions for you, reminding 

 him that a gallon of water weighs 70,000 grains). Great 

 accuracy is in no case essential. 



Plunge the bases of one-third of the cuttings into each 

 of the solutions in ordinary daylight at ordinary temperatures. 

 At the end of 12 or 16 hours withdraw one-third of the 

 cuttings from each vessel, and plant them out in potting 



15 



