The best fertilizer for root growth is one that is high in phosphorus, as this nutrient plays a key role in root development. Fertilizers with a high middle number in the N-P-K ratio, such as 10-20-10 or 5-10-5, are ideal for promoting strong root systems.
Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the two main nutrients that stimulate root growth. Organic fertilisers often display the relative quantities of each, as well as nitrogen (N), in the form of the NPK ratio. In particular, phosphorus allows new root systems to spread through the soil or another growing medium.
The two main nutrients that support excellent root growth in plants are phosphorous and potassium. These two ingredients are extremely helpful in any fertiliser mix that needs to encourage a thick, healthy collection of brand-new roots, or to strengthen and stimulate existing systems.
For plant roots to grow faster, it requires nutrients, sufficient water, well-aerated soil, enough light, the right range of temperature and proper amendments. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the three essential nutrients that a plant requires for its growth.
Auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA), produced in young shoot organs, promotes root development and induces vascular differentiation.
This is one of the most regularly used root stimulants. First, add 25 g of cinnamon (three spoonfuls) to a litre of water and leave for an hour. Then filter it and keep it in the fridge. Once ready, soak the stems for a few minutes.
PRO TIP If you have a Pothos in your collection, another tip to speed up root growth is to add a pothos cutting to the same water as the cutting you're waiting to root. Pothos release a natural rooting hormone into the water that helps trigger root growth in other cuttings sharing the same water.
Auxin is the major growth-promoting hormone for the initiation of lateral and adventitious root growth.
Deficiency in nitrogen severely interferes with root elongation growth and development; low to medium availability of nitrogen enhances root growth and branching to promote the exploitation of this macronutrient, whereas high levels of availability might inhibit the elongation growth of primary and lateral roots ( ...
The active ingredient is indolebutyric acid (IBA) which is a synthetic rooting chemical that is widely used because it promotes root development in a wide variety of plants without being toxic to the plant.
Applying too much rooting hormone can damage the cutting. Just as taking too much medicine doesn't cure you any faster, overdosing on rooting hormone harms the cutting rather than helps it.
Cinnamon as a rooting agent is as useful as willow water or hormone rooting powder. A single application to the stem when you plant the cutting will stimulate root growth in almost every plant variety. Pour a spoonful onto a paper towel and roll damp stem ends in the cinnamon.
The most commonly used of the known synthetic chemical growth promoting substances are beta-indole-acetic acid, alpha - napthalene - acetic acid, indole- butyric acid, phenyl-acetic acid, indole- propionic acid.
You can encourage growth in cuttings by using rooting powder and peat-and-pumice potting mixtures. For planted trees and shrubs, try root stimulators, willow water, and potassium-rich fertilizer.
Willow is good for rooting cuttings because it contains high concentrations of Indolebutyric acid (IBA), and also salicylic acid, from which aspirin is derived and which protects against fungi and other pathogens. To make willow water, simply gather around 2 cups of fresh willow growth chopped up into short lengths.
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Understanding fertilizer numbers
If you were looking for something more appropriate for transplanting, when you want to promote root development, you would want a higher middle number such as a 2-8-4. The three elements we are discussing above are just the basics–the primary macro-nutrients.