Once the root initials protrude from the cutting base, cuttings can be lightly fertilized with 100 ppm nitrogen from a complete fertilizer. Cuttings should never be fertilized when the media is dry. A low phosphorus and ammonium-nitrogen fertilizer should be used during propagation.
Without fertilizer, cuttings can become chlorotic and root development can be delayed. One way to deliver nutrients to cuttings is to incorporate a light rate of fertil- izer (such as 40-50 parts per million nitrogen) into the water used for misting.
The use of a hormone powder or gel will assist with cutting success. Place cutting in the mix, ensuring a node is below the mix level. Water in well with Seasol and let drain. Cover with a clear plastic bag or place in a greenhouse environment.
Clip off the leaves on the lower half of the shoot so you have a bare stem to insert into your potting mix. Then, if you want, dip the end of your stem in rooting hormone. This generally helps cuttings root more quickly.
Push the cutting into a peat and pumice mixture.
This light mixture allows oxygen and water to circulate around the developing roots. Insert 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of the cutting into the mixture. Purchase a simple propagation mixture or make it at home. Good drainage is important for root growth.
Auxins stimulate root formation on the stem cuttings, e.g., IBA, IBA-alanine, NAA. NAA is synthetic auxin while IBA is considered as both natural and synthetic.
Do not apply Seasol and PowerFeed during the heat of the day. As PowerFeed is a fertiliser it may burn the foliage of the plant or lawn.
You can't overdose on Seasol. It's not a Fertiliser. But it does have amazing healing qualities. One capful in a 10 litre watering can will treat around 4m2.
It's absorbed into the plant through both the leaves and the roots and the combined effect with the magic of Seasol and some other added ingredients is exceptionally strong growth and rapid expansion of the plant.
Once your cutting has an established, healthy root system, it is time to transplant these into your favourite potting mix and begin using your main feed.
Cuttings planted in soil will grow roots more slowly. Make sure to keep soil / moss moist. This is easiest if you tent with a plastic bag or use a covered container such as a clean, lidded take-out food container. Check the plants weekly for moisture and growth.
Providing too much moisture during propagation can result in rot and cutting loss. A practice often observed during propagation of unrooted cuttings is frequent, heavy misting, which provides too much moisture and should be avoided.
If fungal problems are an issue, it is best to apply Seasol and PowerFeed in the morning to avoid moisture residue on the foliage overnight.
It's clear that there are benefits to using Seasol. If you are using it on your lawns and gardens, don't stop using it. However, my advice would be to also use a high quality complete fertiliser alongside it. That way you get the best of both worlds.
For optimum results it should be applied to the garden every 2 weeks, more frequently (every week) if plants are under stress. Unlike fertilizers, Seasol can be applied all year round, even in winter and at the height of summer.
Seasol and PowerFeed are liquids, they are readily absorbed into the soil and the plant foliage. Therefore you do not need to water them in. If you are treating your soil with Seasol Super Soil Wetter and Conditioner, please ensure that you do wash it off the foliage, to prevent burning.
Almost every keen gardener knows the benefits of Seasol. It's certified organic and Australian made from sustainably harvested sea kelp and is a complete garden health product rich in plant nutrients and trace elements. It's safe for all plants, including natives, and lawns love it!
Seasol Lawn Care is ideal to use after mowing. It's a fast acting liquid, which goes to work immediately and is safe on all lawns including buffalo.
Environmental conditions: Environmental conditions like availability of water, light, temperature and rooting media may also affect the root initiation process in cuttings.
There are two naturally occurring auxins plants use to initiate rooting: Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). IBA is most commonly used in commercial rooting products because IAA isn't very stable and quickly degrades when exposed to light.
BRs, a class of plant-specific steroid hormones, play important roles in regulating primary root growth. Low concentrations of BRs can induce root growth, while high concentrations inhibit root growth (Clouse et al., 1996; Mussig et al., 2003; Lv et al., 2018).
Don't underestimate temperature either, most cuttings root dramatically faster if you keep them around 24°C to 26°C. Keep the container small. The plant naturally creates its own hormones to stimulate the growth of roots.