Root stimulator: what is it for?

A root stimulator, also called a root booster provides plants with substances important for continued smooth development and for ensuring their vitality. The best root stimulators can literally work wonders. This is entirely logical. A healthy and richly developed root system increases the likelihood of a plentiful and high-quality harvest to the maximum. That is why experienced growers do not skimp on supporting roots from the very beginning of the growing cycle. The root mass will tell you a lot about its condition, and so in this article you will learn not only about products that effectively support it, but also about what a healthy root system should look like.

First we will answer the question why you should actually use a root booster. Then we will go deeper. What is a root stimulator good for?

• More healthy roots in less time! The growth of new roots and root hairs fundamentally affects how effectively the plant can absorb nutrients.
• Without a healthy and strong root system or root mass your plants would never grow properly.
• On the contrary, only healthy and strong roots that form a dense network can perform their primary function, which is the uptake of water with nutrients. This applies to the use of basic nutrients as well as other supportive substances, the source of which are various additional additives beyond root stimulators.
• It follows that the healthier and stronger a young plant's root system is, the better the flowers and fruits you will harvest at the end of the growing cycle.
• A root stimulator helps plants develop a larger root mass. A voluminous root system allows, under appropriate other conditions, for growing plants in higher temperatures, since roots supply the plant with enough water that it can then evaporate to cool itself.

How to recognize a healthy root system?

You will find the answer visually in the opening image. Application of root stimulators from our range should, provided watering is done correctly, definitely be reflected in the health of your plants.

Are you wondering by which indicators you can visually check a healthy root system? Here is its characterization:

• Fine, medium and large whitish roots.
• Fine roots should still have finer root hairs.
• Roots should grow through the entire growing container, i.e. from top to bottom of the pot.

First worth mentioning is the root stimulator Shogun Katana Roots, which can ensure explosive root growth of your plants regardless of the preferred substrate. However, it is not the only one. Quality root stimulators are also produced by other renowned manufacturers, and therefore other examples will certainly follow. Considering how fundamental the health and density of the root zone are for the overall development of the plant and final yields, it should now be clear that a quality root stimulator can be considered the most important supplementary fertilizer.

Root stimulator as a supplementary fertilizer (additive)

Root support is, for most leading brands, a separate discipline. Most manufacturers (BioNova, Plagron, Canna, Advanced Nutrients, Biobizz, VitaLink and others) share the approach of giving consumers — growers — the option to use a specially developed product designed to effectively support root growth and root hair development as a supplement to basic nutrition (N-P-K). As another example we mention the proven root booster BioNova BN Roots.

Root stimulator as part of a comprehensive nutrition system

Some manufacturers, such as the Czech brand Jungle Indabox, however, offer growers a slightly different nutrition strategy, and thus root support. They produce a comprehensive fertilizer that consists of only two basic components, while already considering aspects such as root support or even a bloom stimulator in the overall composition.

So it depends on the preferences and experience of each grower. Some of our customers swear by the combination of base fertilizer + root stimulator + bloom stimulator + possibly other supplementary fertilizers from their favorite manufacturer. Others prefer the simplicity of an 'all-in-one' fertilizer. The advantage of brands that offer a wide range of supplements to proven base fertilizers is the possibility of gradually testing and combining special preparations that have a beneficial effect on plant yields. Especially if you are one of the 'tinkerers', that will be your case as well.

The goal for every plant is always the same: producing a large number of new, strong roots. This ability is intensely stimulated by Biogreen X-Rooting as a high-quality supplement from the Netherlands, containing all necessary organic amino acids and vitamins, which you can use regardless of the substrate you grow in.

Root stimulator by growth stage

Applying a root stimulator definitely pays off right from the beginning of plant development, i.e. when it is still weak and vulnerable, there is no doubt about that. Some manufacturers distinguish whether the root stimulator is for the youngest plants or freshly germinated seeds, or a root booster for more 'grown' seedlings or sufficiently rooted cuttings.

The early development stage is specialized by, for example, the British brand Growth Technology, which makes the root stimulator Clonex Mist, available in a 100 ml package or as a bottle with a spray of 750 ml. This carefully designed blend of amino acids and minerals is applied directly to the leaves and stems of cuttings several days after taking them. Two to three days before taking cuttings this product can also be applied to the leaves and stems of the mother plants. In an independent 10-day test in New Zealand, a 30% increase in root size and an impressive 156% increase in root count were demonstrated!

The root stimulator Plagron Start Up is commonly used already at seed germination and because it is suitable for all soil types, you can give your plants a perfect start in life whether growing in a grow box, in a greenhouse, or outdoors in the garden.

OUR TIP: Plant roots are very prone to damage during transplanting. Protection of roots during transplanting is solved by a product from the same manufacturer, namely Plagron Power Roots, which increases the plant's overall resilience.

Also Grotek Kick Start maximizes photosynthesis and provides the necessary initial dose of nutrients to the youngest plants in the early growth stage.

RHIZOTONIC is a rich cocktail for plant roots of extracts from seaweed, vitamins, minerals and other valuable substances, stimulating the formation of root meristems, associated with the growth of new roots and root hairs. These are, as we have already explained, extremely important for nutrient absorption.

The root stimulator Advanced Nutrients Voodoo Juice is notable for its high concentration of beneficial microbes. It contains up to 50 million per single liter. In combination with other beneficial substances it ensures an increase in root mass of up to 117%.

Organic root stimulators

Similar to the selection of base fertilizers, for some growers the most important aspect is a 100% natural composition, suitable for growing herbs, fruit or vegetables in organic quality.

• Canna meets these needs with the stimulator Canna BIO Rhizotonic, which combines root and growth stimulation in one purely organic product.
• TA Root Booster (G.O. BioRoot Plus) is a natural root stimulator, suitable also for seedlings and rooting cuttings.
• A vigorous root system without a pinch of chemistry is ensured, among others, by Advanced Hydroponics Root Stimulator, which is known primarily to more experienced growers and enthusiasts of hydroponics.

A purely natural means for ecological plant cultivation and the necessary stimulation of their root system is also represented by BioBizz Root Juice, whose composition relies mainly on a synergistic combination of humic acids and seaweed. If you are interested in comprehensive plant support, also read the separate article entitled Fulvic and humic acids: importance and use in plant nutrition.

Although roots are the ones responsible for the uptake of almost everything plants need to live, many growers still forget them and do not use root stimulators. We believe that after reading this article you will no longer be among them.

If you decide to choose a root stimulator, which we warmly recommend, for compatibility it is best to use a root stimulator from the fertilizer brand you are already using. We will gladly advise you on selecting and combining specific products. Do not hesitate to ask us anything via the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.cz.

We also recommend these products:

• Gold Label Roots
• Advanced Nutrients B-52
• Atami B’cuzz Root Stimulator

Further reading:

• Organics Nutrients: naturally to large yields
• How to grow in a greenhouse?
• How to grow outdoors?