How to Use Hormex Products
One guide for every Hormex product
Choose your product below for its preparation, application and care directions. Rooting powder, Vitamin B1 & Hormone Concentrate and Mother Mist use different methods. Start with the section for the product you have.
Hormex Rooting Powders
Start plant cuttings
Choose the powder strength for your plant variety before taking cuttings. The four strengths contain different amounts of IBA; a higher number is not the best choice for every plant.
#1 · 0.10% IBA
Tender softwood cuttings. For suitable houseplants, herbs and other easy-to-root varieties with soft new growth.
#3 · 0.30% IBA
Firmer, semi-softwood cuttings. For suitable flowering plants, houseplants and garden plants whose stems call for this strength.
#8 · 0.80% IBA
Tougher, semi-hardwood cuttings. For suitable woody varieties of shrubs, vines and trees that call for this concentration.
#16 · 1.60% IBA
Difficult-to-root hardwood cuttings. For suitable tough woody plants, evergreens and trees requiring a higher concentration. Confirm your plant’s recommendation before choosing it.
Four steps for stem cuttings
Find the node
Use clean shears to cut just below a node. Remove the lower leaves.
Moisten, dip & tap
Lightly moisten the cutting base with clean water and shake off excess moisture. Dip the base into the selected rooting powder and tap off excess.
Plant the node
Place the treated cutting into Hormex Rooting Cubes, rockwool, coco coir, peat moss or soil. Avoid rubbing off the powder while planting.
Keep lightly moist
Keep the medium lightly moist, not waterlogged.
Use a separate portion of powder. Never return unused powder to its container.
Keep cuttings warm and in bright light out of direct sunlight. Many cuttings benefit from added humidity; keep a cover from touching the plant. Move the rooted cutting into its next growing setup once roots have developed. Rooting time varies with the plant and growing conditions.
Online sizes: ¾ oz and 1 lb for residential and commercial use; 6 lb for agricultural use only. For larger bulk sizes, please contact us directly for wholesale pricing and to set up an account.
Back to product choices ↑Vitamin B1 & Hormone Concentrate
Roots · Stems · Transplanting
This water-soluble concentrate supports root and stem development and helps prevent transplant shock. Match the application below to your task. Diluted watering solutions and the full-strength softwood dip are separate methods.
Indoor plants
Use 1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of water every time you water.
Hydroponics
Start with 1 tsp per US gallon of water. Replace the water weekly. At each water change, use ½–1 tsp per US gallon of fresh replacement water.
Transplanting
Drench the newly planted soil area with a solution of 1 tsp per US gallon of water.
Bare-root planting
Presoak roots for 15 minutes in 6 tsp (30 mL) per gallon of water. Then follow the transplanting directions.
Softwood cuttings only
Dip the base in full-strength concentrate for 3–5 minutes before placing the cutting in Hormex Rooting Cubes or another plant starter medium. For harder-to-root plants, use the powder strength guide and that powder's separate method.
Water propagation
Use 10 drops per small vase or jar. Add again when changing the water.
Cut flowers
Use ½ tsp (2.5 mL) per quart vase.
Lawns & groundcover
Use 1 oz per 100 sq ft, applied with a hose-end sprayer.
Store in a cool, dry place in the original container. Do not reuse soaking solution.
Back to product choices ↑Mother Mist
Ready-to-use foliar nutrient spray.
Mother Mist combines calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamin B1 for indoor plant care and preparing mother plants before taking cuttings. No mixing or measuring is needed. Use the light-mist routine that matches your purpose below.
Home & garden care
Mist 1–2 times per week for 2 weeks, then every 2–4 weeks as needed.
Preparing mother plants
Mist once weekly for 4 weeks before taking cuttings. Stop at least 3 days before taking cuttings.
Shake before each use. Mist early in the day or late afternoon. Do not mist in direct sunlight. Mother Mist works with all feeding programs.
Back to product choices ↑Rooting Cubes
A growing medium for cuttings & seeds
Hormex Rooting Cubes are pre-moistened, flexible cubes made from coco coir, peat moss and worm castings. Use them as your plant-starting medium, then transfer rooted plants to soil or a suitable hydroponic setup.
- For cuttings: Prepare the cutting using the powder method or the appropriate liquid method. Place it into the cube without rubbing off the rooting powder, if used.
- For seeds: Use the cube as the seed-starting medium. Follow the planting depth, temperature and germination conditions recommended for your seed variety.
- Keep lightly moist: Avoid soaking the medium. Once roots have developed, move the rooted plant and cube to its next growing setup.
Cloning Shears
Prepare a clean cutting
- Start with clean shears. Make a clean cut just below a node and remove the lower leaves when preparing a stem cutting.
- Continue with the rooting product selected for your plant, using its section in this guide.
- Rinse and wipe the shears clean after each use.
Kits & multipacks
Use each component's method
For a powder variety pack, choose the strength for your plant and use the powder instructions. Each strength follows the same preparation steps.
For a Rooting Duo, use the powder section for the included powder and the concentrate section for the liquid application you need. Do not combine the two into one dip.
Back to product choices ↑