Description and features of using cytokinin paste for indoor plants

To promote rapid growth of houseplants, experienced gardeners use specialized chemicals. Cytokinin paste is a hormone-based product widely used in floriculture to stimulate and stimulate the growth of indoor and garden plants.

The product is characterized by a rapid effect, however, after a period of active plant growth, a tolerance phase can be difficult. Florists are divided on the effectiveness of this hormonal product, as along with its remarkable effects comes the risk of side effects, such as tumor-like growths in case of overdose or plant death.

Properties and indications for use

The product has a completely synthetic composition, it includes:

• The active ingredient is benzyladenine, or 6-BAP, a cytokinin. This is a hormone that stimulates cell division. Cytokinins can act both locally, to promote bud formation, and on the entire plant, to slow aging and make it more resilient to adverse factors. The effect can be seen by removing a green leaf from the plant. If you coat a piece of the leaf blade with cytokinin, that part will remain green, while the rest of the leaf wilts. All the nutrients from the leaf will be directed to the treated area.

  

• Lanolin is an animal wax obtained from sheep's wool by extraction. It is a natural emulsifier and can emulsify up to 200% of its own weight in water. It is widely used in medicine both on its own and as a base for ointments.
• Vitamin complex. Added depending on the manufacturer.

The use of phytohormone is indicated for:

• Stimulates bud formation. You can grow a flower stalk, shoot, or pup if you follow the instructions for choosing the application location;
• growing fruits for the purpose of collecting planting material;
• revitalization of tuberous and bulbous plants;
• breeding hybrid flowers in order to obtain a unique color;
• awakening from seasonal hibernation;
• premature awakening for forcing for sale.

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How to use cytokinin paste for various indoor plants

The product has a similar method of application for almost all plants, but there are still individual differences.

For violets

It's used for propagating hybrid varieties that don't thrive without stimulation. Violet paste can be used in three different ways:

1. To obtain offspring using leaf cuttings, cut a violet leaf, trim the base at a 45-degree angle, and insert it into the potting mix. Create a greenhouse using plastic wrap or a jar and leave it there until rooting occurs. Using a thin, sterile needle, make a shallow scratch at the base of the cutting and apply a small amount of the product with the same needle. After about two weeks, offspring will begin to form actively.

   

2. To obtain offspring from the mother plant, cut off the top of the flower, leaving a row of leaves in the pot. Replant the cut portion in soil for rooting. Apply a thin layer of the paste to the cut surface of the mother plant. Side shoots will appear in this area in about two weeks. Remove them only when they have grown and become stronger.

   

3. To preserve the unique coloring. The flower stalk of a hybrid variety can produce a unique coloring. To preserve and propagate it, make a scratch at the base of the stipule and treat it with a small amount of a hormonal agent. Viable offspring will be ready to root when they grow and are strong enough.

For orchids

If orchids aren't blooming or producing offspring for propagation, they can be stimulated with a phytohormone, to which they are very sensitive. Treatment begins in early spring, using microdoses to prevent the plant from becoming weakened.

Before applying the product, prepare and disinfect your tools. It's best to select the lowest bud on the flower stalk and remove its protective scales. Using a clean, fine needle, make several shallow scratches on the bud and apply a very small amount of the product. While the shoots are developing, the orchid requires especially careful care and additional feeding.

For Saintpaulias

Saintpaulias differ from common violets in their coloring. They can only be propagated without losing their spotted or striped coloring by growing offspring on the mother plant.

To treat the flower stalk, apply a small amount of the preparation to a clean, sharp needle and make three small injections into the stipule axil. Next, carefully wipe off any excess paste with a clean cloth. To prevent the Saintpaulia from becoming depleted during shoot formation, feed it with nitrogen-containing fertilizer twice a month.

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The cuttings can be rooted no earlier than 4 months after they are removed from the flower stalk, and the cut site can be sprinkled with charcoal powder.

For roses

Phytohormone is used for roses to stimulate bud development or initiate new growth. To stimulate a bud, remove the dry skin and make a scratch, then insert the product into the tip of a needle. No more than three buds are stimulated on a single stem.

You can spray the entire plant with cytokinin (only the product "Cytodef" is intended for spraying), which will stimulate all growth. However, it's impossible to predict what exactly will grow. It could be branches, shoots, or flower stalks. Therefore, this option is highly undesirable, although theoretically possible.

For tuberous and bulbous flowers

To form new shoots, the tuber eyes and bulb bottoms are treated. After this, they are planted in a light, nutritious substrate.

Safety precautions when using the paste

Cytokinin paste is a strong hormonal drug, so certain rules must be followed when working with it.

1. Young, damaged, or diseased plants should not be treated with this product. Doing so will result in their death.
2. The drug does not cure or restore, it only accelerates the growth of flowers.
3. If one bud produces more than one shoot, the excess should be removed and the use of the ointment should be stopped.

   

   

   

4. It's important to ensure the product doesn't come into contact with the plant's leaves. Application should be done locally and based on the intended target.
5. Keep out of reach of children and animals.
6. Store in the refrigerator, away from food, in an airtight container.
7. 2 hours before use, transfer the paste from the refrigerator to a surface where it cannot be reached by children or pets, and away from heating devices.
8. Wear thick gloves when handling. Protect your skin and eyes from accidental contact with the product. After removing gloves, thoroughly wash your hands.
9. The instrument for applying cytokinin must be clean and disinfected.
10. Treating the root system will kill the plant unless it's specifically designed for this purpose. Use the product only as directed and after checking the expiration date.

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Analogues of the product

Cytokine paste isn't always readily available, so sometimes it needs to be replaced. As mentioned earlier, the active ingredient in cytokinin paste is a hormone, so many gardeners prefer to replace it with safer folk remedies.

Other hormonal drugs

In stores, you can find similar versions of the drug that also have a stimulating effect due to the phytohormone in their composition.

• KeikiGrowPlus is a product completely similar in composition and application, but made in Canada. It has a proven track record among gardeners;

  

  

  

• Cytodef. A synthetic analogue. Available as a powder that requires dilution. The solution is used for spraying to make flowers larger or more vibrant in color.

DIY

To make the drug at home you will need:

1. Lanolin (anhydrous) – 100 g.
2. Cytokinin - 1 g.
3. Ethyl alcohol 96% - 20 ml (approximately 26 g);
4. Scales with a scale increment of 0.01 g (preferably electronic)

Cooking algorithm:

1. All utensils to be used are disinfected. It's best to use glass mixing containers, including spatulas. These can be purchased at cosmetic supply stores.
2. Mix alcohol and phytohormone.

   

3. In a separate container, melt the lanolin in a water bath, without letting it boil.
4. Mix the alcohol solution and animal wax thoroughly.
5. Remove the mixture from the water bath and cover with a lid, but so that there is a gap for the alcohol to evaporate.
6. Leave in a dark place for two to three days.
7. Prepare an airtight container for permanent storage. Transfer the finished product and store it in the refrigerator.

Shelf life up to 5 years.

Natural substitute

A 6-BAP analogue can be prepared from aloe arborescens, which is capable of producing cytokinin. Recipe:

1. Cut a leaf from an adult aloe plant.
2. Wrap in plastic and put in a cool, dark place for 14 days.
3. Chop the leaf finely and place in a glass container with a lid.
4. Fill with 96% ethyl alcohol for 24 hours and close tightly.
5. Filter the resulting preparation through several layers of gauze.

Frequently Asked Questions

The chemical phytohormone is extremely effective, earning it widespread recognition among gardeners. It produces rapid results even on the most sensitive plants. However, it's important to remember that, along with the benefits, there's a significant risk of harming the plant, as there's no set dosage, and it's best to rely solely on trial and error and increasing the dose.

It's important to consider the plant's condition before the procedure and its potential. Also, don't forget to provide careful care and nutrition during the period of intensive stimulation.