Esi-Root Propagation

The New Propagation Solution - ESI-ROOT

Esi-Root is a unique scientifically formulated and tested rooting solution, that offers superior striking of most cuttings over conventional striking compounds. The one convenient Esi-Root product can be used for hardwood and softwood cuttings and easy to strike and hard to strike species. Simply alter the dilution ratios accordingly.

Two Active Ingredients - Esi-Root contains two hormones, 4-Indol-3-yl-Butyric Acid (IBA) and 1-Naphthlacetic Acid (NAA). Most conventional cutting compounds contains IBA only. Research has shown that a combination of IBA and NAA is generally more effective than IBA alone.

Better Performance - Esi-Root maximises the effectiveness of the delivery system, ensuring more active hormone being available at the cutting site. This has 3 advantages;

• Increased strike rates
• Faster callous and root development
• No 'burning' of the cutting

Increased Production - Due to the nature of the Esi-Root formulation, cuttings may be dipped or soaked. Large runs may be cut directly into a prepared bath (at the correct dilution) and soaked for an hour or two prior to being placed in the propagation medium.

Cost Effective - Esi-Root may be diluted as low as 2.5 mls into 1 litre of water. A 500ml dispenser of Esi-Root will treat many thousands of cuttings.

General hints for using Esi-Root Solution

Take cuttings just below a node or leaf axil and remove the lower leaves. Make a 10mm split up the base of the cutting and dip the cutting in Esi-Root solution to just cover the split. This increases the cutting surface area and helps the uptake of the hormone solution.

Another method is wounding of species difficult to root or those that have older wood at the base. The wound is made by slicing about 20mm of the outer tissue on both sides of the base of the cutting with a sharp grafting knife or razor blade.

As a general rule cuttings may be classified in three types;

Softwood (spring growth)

Semi-hardwood (summer/autumn)

Hardwood (winter, of the previous seasons growth)

Softwood Cuttings

Dipping - Dip the base of the cutting to a depth of 20mm into a prepared solution of 10mls Esi-Root into 1 litre of water.

Soaking - Take soft leafy stem cutting early in the day and avoid wilting by cutting directly into a prepared solution of ESI-ROOT, at a dilution rate of 2.5mls into 1 litre of water. Totally immerse for up to 5 minutes.

For more mature softwood cuttings dip the base of the cutting in a solution of 25mls Esi-Root in 1 litre of water or totally immerse the cutting in a weaker solution of 7.5mls of Esi-Root in 1 litre of water for up to five minutes.

Semi-Hardwood Cuttings

If unfamiliar with the species sensitivity to auxins, test a few cuttings at differing concentrations and different methods. Burn will usually show within 7 days. If there is no burn or you are familiar with the species response to auxins, either dip or totally immerse the cutting as set out above in a prepared solution of 25mls Esi-Root into 1 litre of clean water as set out above.

Hardwood Cuttings

There are two different methods that can be used for the striking of hardwood cuttings;

Dipping - Dip the base of the cutting to a depth of 20mm into a prepared solution of 25mls Esi-Root into 1 litre of water. Store cuttings until callused. Place in the propagation medium to a depth of 50% of the cutting .

Soaking - Totally immerse the hardwood cutting into a prepared solution of 7.5mls Esi-Root into 1 litre of water and soak for up to 24 hours. Place in the propagation medium.

Difficult to Strike Species

For certain species that are extremely difficult to strike, test a few cuttings by dipping them into undiluted ESI-ROOT solution. If callus forms and there is no burning within 7 days, proceed to full scale production

Note: If unfamiliar with sensitivity of any species to auxins, test a few cuttings at different concentrations before undertaking full scale production. Burning will usually show within seven days. If burning shows, adjust the concentration and test again.

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