I've been looking for some ways to save money and also be able to increase the number of hardwood and fruit trees in my yard. I just found a great help!
Make "Willow Water" to use as a root hormone! Then cut branches off the trees you already have and soak them overnight in it. Plant them in the ground and you are done! I believe it because we have willow bushes all over our yard and them babies grow like mad.
Here are the full instructions:
Any species of willow will work. You will need some of the small branches - pencil-thin seems to work the best. Cut them up into small pieces.
For an all-purpose rooting tonic, 2 cups of cut stems soaked in a half gallon of warm water for one or two days. For a stronger tonic, use more willow stems! To make the tonic faster, use boiling water instead of warm and soak overnight. This will work even if you are lazy and just use cold water and soak the willow stems for a couple of days. Use promptly and make a fresh batch for each use. Or, put your willow water in a jar with a tight fitting lid and stick it in the refrigerator. It will keep for a few weeks or so that way . . .
Using willow water is even easier than making it. Soak cuttings you want to root in it overnight. Or water your soil-planted cuttings with the willow water. Two applications should do it. Some cuttings will root directly in a jar of willow water. The stuff also works great when you are setting out transplants - just water them with it after you plant them! Try this the next time you get a bouquet of roses - you might get a beautiful rose bush or two!
I wish I had known this last Summer when I tried to root some tree branches :o) I will definitely be using it for more apple trees :o)
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