Home Made Plant Rooting Hormone
Indolebutyric acid (IBA) is a plant hormone that stimulates root growth. There are many brands commercially available. And there are also numerous natural sources of the same stuff. For those who prefers the natural approach, who are not bothered by some sweat and dirty hands there is the Nature with its pantry full of goodies.
The most common source of IBA in my region is a willow tree.
Actually, this tree is not only a beautiful solitaire used for centuries in gardening or landscaping to make the embankments of lakes, rivers and ponds firmer. It is also a source of energy for the bees ( pollen) or humans ( biomass ). Chewing the bark of willows has been used to reduce the fever and inflammation as the bark contains salicin that was used to develop aspirin. The whips of willows are also important part of an Eastern seasonal activity.
One of the most important Slavic symbols of Easter is a pomlázka, a braided whip made from pussy willow twigs. It has been used for centuries by boys who go caroling on Easter Monday and symbolically whip the girls on the legs. I know it sounds like a cruelty but it is a great symbolics as young, live pussy willow twigs are thought to bring health and youth to anyone who is whipped with them.
Nearly 40 years ago still on the secondary school my good friend and me decided to visit all girls from our class who lived in the same town - a small place in western Bohemia not far from Pilsen. That day was warm and sunny and will be always remembered as a pure joy. We have rung the bells on the doors hiding the pomlazka behind our backs. Doors opened and we were welcomed by our classmates. The words have changed into yelling and whooping once we started the Eastern rhymes. They were running away from us, but making sure we can catch them at the end. We have whipped them gently - this was NOT about causing a pain, rather to say: we do care about you, you are important to us, we wish you all the best. Then we have also whipped the other ladies in the house. In return they have offered to us some drinks and coloured eggs. It took us several hours to make the full round of visits. It was not only because of the walking distance but the growing level of alcohol in our blood stream made the difference as well. Frankly, at the end our our trip it was for the girls more and more difficult to pretend they are trying to escape from us as we have difficulties to walk not to mention to run.
My friend is no longer on this side of life nevertheless I am sure he would have a smile in his face any time the day is recalled.
In the pic below you can see a decorated "pomlázka" .....
... and this one shows a " pomlazka" that has been planted after the festival. Well, while planting of the pomlazka is not very common it shows the great ability of the twigs to root. I guess this could make a nice bonsai.
I believe that such rooting ability can be attributed to two substances that can be found within the Willow species, namely, Indolebutyric and Salicylic acids. The first one stimulates growth and the latter improve the resistance to pathogens.
I prepared Willow water last year - cutting the tips of wigs and soaking them for a few days in the water. The solution was used to water the yamadories. No miracle in my view, but no harm either. For this year I am prepared to move it a bit further and to prepare some stuff based on the advice found on the www.theunconventionalfarmer.com page Recepies.
The most common source of IBA in my region is a willow tree.
Actually, this tree is not only a beautiful solitaire used for centuries in gardening or landscaping to make the embankments of lakes, rivers and ponds firmer. It is also a source of energy for the bees ( pollen) or humans ( biomass ). Chewing the bark of willows has been used to reduce the fever and inflammation as the bark contains salicin that was used to develop aspirin. The whips of willows are also important part of an Eastern seasonal activity.
One of the most important Slavic symbols of Easter is a pomlázka, a braided whip made from pussy willow twigs. It has been used for centuries by boys who go caroling on Easter Monday and symbolically whip the girls on the legs. I know it sounds like a cruelty but it is a great symbolics as young, live pussy willow twigs are thought to bring health and youth to anyone who is whipped with them.
Nearly 40 years ago still on the secondary school my good friend and me decided to visit all girls from our class who lived in the same town - a small place in western Bohemia not far from Pilsen. That day was warm and sunny and will be always remembered as a pure joy. We have rung the bells on the doors hiding the pomlazka behind our backs. Doors opened and we were welcomed by our classmates. The words have changed into yelling and whooping once we started the Eastern rhymes. They were running away from us, but making sure we can catch them at the end. We have whipped them gently - this was NOT about causing a pain, rather to say: we do care about you, you are important to us, we wish you all the best. Then we have also whipped the other ladies in the house. In return they have offered to us some drinks and coloured eggs. It took us several hours to make the full round of visits. It was not only because of the walking distance but the growing level of alcohol in our blood stream made the difference as well. Frankly, at the end our our trip it was for the girls more and more difficult to pretend they are trying to escape from us as we have difficulties to walk not to mention to run.
My friend is no longer on this side of life nevertheless I am sure he would have a smile in his face any time the day is recalled.
In the pic below you can see a decorated "pomlázka" .....
... and this one shows a " pomlazka" that has been planted after the festival. Well, while planting of the pomlazka is not very common it shows the great ability of the twigs to root. I guess this could make a nice bonsai.
I believe that such rooting ability can be attributed to two substances that can be found within the Willow species, namely, Indolebutyric and Salicylic acids. The first one stimulates growth and the latter improve the resistance to pathogens.
I prepared Willow water last year - cutting the tips of wigs and soaking them for a few days in the water. The solution was used to water the yamadories. No miracle in my view, but no harm either. For this year I am prepared to move it a bit further and to prepare some stuff based on the advice found on the www.theunconventionalfarmer.com page Recepies.
Inspiration in Nature:
White Willow Salix Alba near Prague. Approx 120 years old, height 13 m and nearly 8 m in girth.
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