PDA

View Full Version : Using honey for cloning..



Elysium
07-27-2006, 03:05 AM
I was watching a gardening program on the box, and it showed it's presenter cloning rose bushes with the aid of honey. Here's the relevant bit from the transcript (http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1686734.htm):



You know, I get countless letters from people who want to know how they can propagate their roses from cuttings. Well, it can be done, and now is the perfect time. But to do it properly you've got to get the correct wood. That is the wood that grew last summer. Now there is a branch and you can see that there, that grew from spring. The clue is to cut this off, there, with a little bit of that older wood. You see how I'm using it there? Right there. Watch. You've got that there. See that little bit of old stuff there? Right. Then there is something else. You can use a cutting powder if you want, but I use this stuff here. This is ordinary honey. That's right, sticky honey, bush honey. It's marvellous. Tastes good. But, look, if you get a tiniest amount like that, just a little bit, and just put a smear on the base like that. That's all it needs. The reason why is because honey contains amino acids there it is, like that and it also contains what they call growth factors.

Had never heard of it b4. Anyone used this method? If it works, it's a beaut. :D

Green Medicine
07-27-2006, 04:15 AM
There really aren't any "growth factors" in honey.
It does provide fuel for the cutting and acts as a natural antibacterial / fugicide. It also "seals" the cutting to prevent disease and air from entering the cutting.

In a world of bubble cloners and homones, honey has taken a back seat to more productive methods.

Elysium
07-27-2006, 05:59 AM
I see, thanks GM. May try it sometime...:)

pflover
07-27-2006, 05:25 PM
would a willow tea concentrate/honey infusion be worth the effort in soil and rapid rooter cloning methods?