Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the right product. Get your next growing step right.
Choosing a rooting powder, starting your first cuttings or caring for indoor plants? Find clear answers below, with links to the details when you need them.
Choosing a product
Which Hormex product do I need?
Choose by the job you want to do:
- Rooting Powders: Help start new plants from cuttings. Match the strength to your plant.
- Vitamin B1 & Hormone Concentrate: Liquid care for root and stem development, transplanting and other application-specific uses.
- Mother Mist: A ready-to-use foliar nutrient spray for indoor plant care and preparing mother plants before taking cuttings.
- Rooting Cubes: A growing medium for starting cuttings or seeds.
What do the rooting powder numbers mean?
The numbers identify different concentrations of IBA, the rooting hormone in the powder:
- #1: 0.10% IBA for suitable tender softwood cuttings.
- #3: 0.30% IBA for suitable firmer, semi-softwood cuttings.
- #8: 0.80% IBA for suitable tougher, semi-hardwood cuttings.
- #16: 1.60% IBA for suitable difficult-to-root hardwood cuttings.
A higher number is not automatically better. Start with the recommendation for your plant variety and cutting type.
What if my plant is not in the plant finder?
Ask our team before guessing at a strength. Include the plant's common or botanical name, the type of cutting and what you are trying to do. If you already have a Hormex product, tell us its name and size too.
Can I use Hormex products together?
You can use different products for their separate jobs, but follow each product's own method. Rooting Cubes can hold a cutting treated with rooting powder or the appropriate liquid method. A Rooting Duo contains powder and concentrate with separate instructions; do not combine them into one dip. Mother Mist has its own indoor plant-care and mother-plant schedules.
Rooting cuttings
Where should I cut the stem?
Use clean, sharp shears to make a clean cut just below a node, the point where a leaf joins the stem. Start with fresh growth from a healthy plant and remove the lower leaves so they will not sit in the rooting medium. Avoid crushing or tearing the stem.
How do I apply rooting powder?
Lightly moisten the base of the cutting with clean water and shake off excess. Dip the base into the selected powder, tap off excess powder, then place it in the rooting medium without rubbing the powder off. Keep the medium lightly moist as roots develop.
What can I plant treated cuttings in?
Use a suitable propagation medium such as Hormex Rooting Cubes, rockwool, coco coir, peat moss or soil. The medium should support the cutting while allowing moisture and airflow around the developing roots. Choose one that suits your plant and growing setup.
How wet should the medium be? Do I need a humidity dome?
Keep the medium lightly moist, not soaked. Too much water can encourage rot; too little can let the cutting dry out. Many cuttings benefit from extra humidity, especially in dry conditions. If you use a dome or clear cover, keep it from touching the cutting. Provide bright, indirect light and conditions suited to the plant.
How long does rooting take, and when should I transplant?
There is no single rooting time for every plant. The variety, cutting maturity and growing conditions all matter. Give roots time to develop, and move the cutting to its next growing setup once it has rooted. Avoid repeatedly pulling it out to check, which can disturb developing roots.
My cuttings are not rooting. What should I check first?
Before adding more product, check the basics:
- Did you start with healthy growth and make a clean cut?
- Is the powder strength appropriate for the plant?
- Is the medium lightly moist rather than dry or waterlogged?
- Are light, temperature and humidity suitable for the variety?
- Has the cutting had enough time to develop roots?
If you need help, tell us the plant, product, growing medium and how long the cuttings have been in it.
Liquid, mist & cubes
When should I use Vitamin B1 & Hormone Concentrate?
Use it for root and stem support, plant care and transplanting. The application guide also covers indoor plants, hydroponics, bare-root planting, water propagation, cut flowers, lawns and groundcover. Choose the directions for your particular task; the rates and methods are not interchangeable.
Do I dilute the concentrate, or use it straight from the bottle?
Watering, transplanting and other listed applications use diluted solutions. The softwood-cutting dip is a separate full-strength method for softwood cuttings only. For harder-to-root plants, use the powder strength guide and the selected powder's instructions. Do not apply the full-strength dip method to routine watering.
Is Mother Mist just for mother plants?
No. It is also made for everyday indoor plant care. Mother Mist combines calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamin B1 in a ready-to-use leaf spray. Shake before use, apply a light mist early in the day or late afternoon, and avoid direct sunlight. Use the schedule for everyday care or the separate schedule for preparing mother plants.
Can I use Mother Mist with my regular feeding program?
Mother Mist is intended to complement your regular feeding routine. It needs no mixing or measuring. Use it as a foliar mist on its own schedule, rather than as a substitute for watering or feeding.
Are Rooting Cubes for cuttings, seeds or both?
Both. Use the cubes as a starting medium for treated cuttings or seeds. For seeds, follow the planting depth and growing conditions recommended for the variety. Keep the cubes lightly moist. Once roots develop, transfer the plant and cube to soil or a suitable hydroponic setup.
Storage & support
How should I store Vitamin B1 & Hormone Concentrate?
Keep it in its original container in a cool, dry place. Do not reuse a solution that has been used for soaking. For a storage question about another Hormex product or a particular container, contact our team with the product name and size.
Can I return leftover rooting powder to the bottle?
No. Pour a small amount into a separate clean dish for dipping, and do not return unused powder to the original container. Keeping the working portion separate helps avoid contaminating the remaining supply.
Which powder sizes are available? Can I order in bulk?
Rooting Powders come in ¾ oz and 1 lb sizes for residential and commercial use. The 6 lb size is for agricultural use only. For larger bulk sizes, wholesale pricing or setting up an account, select Wholesale Inquiries on our contact form. Include your business name, location and the products you need.
Where can I find a current label or Safety Data Sheet?
Safety Data Sheets for the listed Hormex products are available on our SDS page. To request a current label, use the Contact Us form and include the product name, strength and container size, as applicable.
How do I get help with an order or return?
Use the Contact Us form and select Support. Include your order number and where you purchased, if available. Check the Return & Refund Policy for eligibility and instructions before sending a product back.
