Precision Rooting: Why "Stronger" is the Secret Weapon for Difficult Woody Cuttings

While we all want rapid results, the secret to Hormex’s 65+ year success isn't just about the strongest rooting products, it’s about hormonal balance. Using the right strength is like choosing the right tool for a project. You wouldn't want to use a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame or a tack hammer to break through concrete.

The Power of the "Heavy Hitters" (# 8 & 16)

Our high-strength powders, like Hormex Rooting Powder #8 & 16, are our best-sellers for a reason: They do what no other rooting hormone can. In fact, there is nothing stronger. Most "general purpose" rooting hormones found in stores are very low in concentration. They work fine for basic houseplants, but they often leave tougher cuttings in a dangerous state of "limbo" where they often fail to root before they rot. These weak formulas simply lack the concentrated power needed to penetrate woody bark and jump-start growth before the cutting exhausts its limited energy.

For these plants, the No. 8 and No. 16 strengths are your insurance policy. They provide the hormonal "push" required to penetrate dense, lignified bark. Without this professional-grade strength, these cuttings would likely rot before they ever produced a single root.

Why We Offer a Range of Strengths

Every plant has a different threshold for rooting.

1. The Specialists (No. 8, No. 16): These are designed for the "impossible" plants. They are high-potency formulas for hardwood and difficult-to-root species. They are the gold standard for nurserymen and serious hobbyists who don't want to leave their results to chance.

2. The All-Rounders (No. 3): This is the perfect middle ground. It's the go-to for semi-softwood plants like Roses or Hydrangeas that need more than a "basic" over the counter hormone but aren't quite as stubborn as a Juniper.

3. The Gentle Start (No. 1): This is for your softest, most tender tissues like African Violets or Succulents. These plants are so eager to grow that they only need a tiny "nudge" to explode with roots.

Does Stronger Mean Faster?

Actually, the Right Strength means faster.

If you use a low-strength powder on a hardwood cutting, it might take months to root or  never root at all. Using Hormex No. 16 on that same cutting can slash that time down significantly because it provides the proper amount of IBA needed to trigger cellular change immediately.

However, if you use No. 16 on a delicate succulent, the plant may spend too much energy reacting to the hormone rather than building healthy roots. Precision is the path to speed.

How to Build Your "Rooting Library"

The most successful growers don't just own one strength; they keep a "library" of Hormex powders on hand.

• Keep No. 1 & 3 for your indoor plant collection and spring clippings.

• Keep No. 8 & No. 16 for your outdoor landscaping projects, trees, and those "tough to crack" species that other gardeners struggle with.

Our high-strength powders are the vital link to success for the world’s most difficult plant species. They allow you to grow plants that most people think can only be bought at a nursery. By matching the strength to the wood type, you aren't just rooting plants, you’re mastering the science of growth.