I found an interesting way to root cuttings - using honey. Honey is a natural rooting agent and is always at hand, so it’s worth giving it a try.
The photo shows an example of rooting a verbena cutting with honey. It’s best to use a freshly cut cutting, but a branch from the supermarket can also take root. Place the freshly cut cutting in honey. If the branch has been cut for some time, it needs to be refreshed by trimming about a centimeter. Prepare sterile soil for rooting, for example, in a plastic cup with a drainage hole.
Make a hole in the soil for the cutting to avoid damaging the thin stem and the nutrient-protective film of honey. Honey has antifungal properties and effectively “seals” the cut, but does not hinder the plant from absorbing moisture from the soil.
Place the cup with the cutting in a bag to create greenhouse conditions for it, ensuring it’s in a shaded place away from the window. The average rooting time is 5-6 weeks. Open the bag for a few minutes once a day. Throughout the time the plant is in the greenhouse, it does not need watering. If you feel the need to moisten the soil, do this using a spray bottle or no more than a teaspoon.
Prepare several cuttings if possible. Most likely, they will all take root successfully, and you will have the opportunity to gift small plants to your loved ones.
Honey rooting is suitable for all herbs that grow successfully in pots on windowsills - rosemary, oregano, thyme, lavender, and others. Honey can become an excellent alternative to growth hormones for plants, such as Epin and Zircon.
