Root stimulator – what is it for?
A root stimulator, or root booster, provides plants with substances that are important for their continued healthy development and vitality. The best root stimulators can work wonders. There is a very good reason for this. A healthy, well-developed root system maximises the likelihood of a generous, high-quality harvest. That is why experienced growers invest in supporting their plants’ roots from the very beginning of the growing cycle. The root ball can tell you a great deal about a plant’s condition, so this article explains not only which products support it effectively, but also what a healthy root system should look like.
First, let us answer the question of why you should use a root booster in the first place. Then we will take a closer look. What is a root stimulator good for?
- More healthy roots in less time! The development of new roots and root hairs has a fundamental effect on how effectively a plant can absorb nutrients.
- Without a healthy, strong root system, or root ball, your plants would never grow properly.
- Only healthy, strong roots that form a dense network can fulfil their primary function: absorbing water and nutrients. This applies to both the uptake of essential nutrients and other supporting substances supplied by various other additives in addition to root stimulators.
- This means that the healthier and stronger a young plant’s root system is, the better the flowers and fruit you will harvest at the end of the growing cycle.
- A root stimulator helps plants develop a larger root ball. A substantial root system, provided other conditions are met, allows plants to be grown at higher temperatures, as the roots supply enough water for the plant to evaporate and cool itself.
How can you recognise a healthy root system?
Visually, you can find the answer in the introductory image. When applied correctly, root stimulators from our range should have a positive effect on the health of your plants, provided they are watered correctly.
Would you like to know which visual signs to look for when checking whether a root system is healthy? Here are its characteristics:
- Fine, medium and large whitish roots.
- Fine roots should have even finer root hairs.
- Roots should grow throughout the growing container, from the top right down to the bottom of the pot.
The first root stimulator worth mentioning is Shogun Katana Roots, which can ensure explosive root growth in your plants, regardless of your preferred growing medium. But it is not the only option. Other reputable manufacturers also produce high-quality root stimulators, so we will certainly look at a few more examples. Given how crucial the health and density of the root zone are to a plant’s overall development and final yields, it should already be clear that a high-quality root stimulator is one of the most important supplementary fertilisers.
Root stimulator as a supplementary fertiliser (additive)
For most leading brands, supporting plant roots is a specialised area in its own right. Most manufacturers (BioNova, Plagron, Canna, Advanced Nutrients, Biobizz, VitaLink and others) have one thing in common: they offer consumers and growers a specially developed product to effectively support root growth and root hairs, as a supplement to their base nutrients (N-P-K fertilisers). Another example is the proven root booster BioNova BN Roots.
Root stimulator as part of a complete nutrient programme
Some manufacturers, such as the Czech brand Jungle Indabox, offer growers a slightly different approach to feeding plants and, consequently, their roots. They produce a complete fertiliser consisting of just two base components, while also taking into account aspects such as root support and a bloom stimulator in the overall formulation.
It therefore comes down to each grower’s preferences and experience. Some of our customers swear by combining base nutrients, a root stimulator, a bloom stimulator and, where appropriate, other supplementary fertilisers from their favourite manufacturer. Others prefer the simplicity of an “all-in-one” fertiliser. One advantage of brands that offer a wide range of supplements to complement their proven base nutrients is the opportunity to try and combine specialist products gradually, to achieve a positive effect on plant yields. This may be just the thing for you, particularly if you enjoy experimenting.
The aim is always the same for every plant: to produce a large number of new, strong roots. This ability is also stimulated intensively by Biogreen X-Rooting, a high-quality supplement from the Netherlands containing all the essential organic amino acids and vitamins. You can use it regardless of which growing medium you use.
Root stimulator by growth stage
Using a root stimulator is clearly worthwhile from the very beginning of a plant’s development, when it is still weak and vulnerable; there is no doubt about that. Some manufacturers distinguish between root stimulators for the youngest plants or freshly germinated seeds, and root boosters for more established seedlings or well-rooted cuttings.
The British brand Growth Technology, for example, specialises in the early stages of plant development. It produces the root stimulator Clonex® Mist, available in a 100 ml pack or in a spray bottle with a capacity of 750 ml. This carefully formulated blend of amino acids and minerals is applied directly to the leaves and stems of cuttings several days after they have been taken. The product can also be applied to the leaves and stems of mother plants two to three days before taking cuttings. Independent testing in New Zealand demonstrated a 30% increase in root size and an impressive 156% increase in root numbers over a period of 10 days!
Root stimulator Plagron Start Up is often used during seed germination. As it is suitable for all types of soil, it can give your plants the perfect start in life whether you are growing in a grow tent, a greenhouse or outdoors in the garden.
OUR TIP: Plant roots are often highly susceptible to damage during transplanting. For root protection during transplanting, the same manufacturer offers Plagron Power Roots, which enhances the plant’s overall resilience.
Likewise, Grotek Kick Start maximises photosynthesis and provides the first essential dose of nutrients to the youngest plants during the initial growth stage.
Canna Rhizotonic is a long-standing favourite among root stimulators and has yet to disappoint a grower! Why? Because it is one of the products that meets the definition of a root stimulator to the letter, delivering everything you would expect:
- Stimulates the formation of new roots.
- Speeds up root development.
- Shortens the time needed for cuttings to root and seeds to germinate.
- Also helps revitalise plants weakened by stress.
RHIZOTONIC is a rich cocktail of water algae extracts, vitamins, minerals and other valuable substances for plant roots. It stimulates the formation of root meristems, which is linked to the growth of new roots and root hairs. As we have already explained, these are particularly important for nutrient absorption.
Root stimulator Advanced Nutrients Voodoo Juice is notable for its high concentration of beneficial microbes. It contains up to 50 million per litre. Combined with other beneficial substances, this increases root mass by up to 117%.
Organic root stimulators
As with the choice of base nutrients, a 100% natural composition suitable for growing herbs, fruit or vegetables to organic standards is the most important consideration for some growers.
- Canna meets this need with Canna BIO Rhizotonic, a purely organic product that combines a root stimulator and growth stimulator in one.
- T.A. Root Booster (G.O. BioRoot Plus) is a natural root stimulator, also suitable for seedlings and rooting cuttings.
- A lush root system without a trace of chemicals is also produced by Advanced Hydroponics Root Stimulator, which is well known among more experienced growers and enthusiasts of hydroponics.
Another purely natural product for ecological plant cultivation and the essential stimulation of their root systems is BioBizz Root Juice, whose formula relies primarily 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: their role and use in plant nutrition.
Although roots are responsible for absorbing almost everything plants need to live, many growers still overlook them and do not use root stimulators. We hope that, after reading this article, you will not be one of them.
If you decide to use a root stimulator, which we can wholeheartedly recommend, it is best to choose one from the same fertiliser brand you already use to ensure compatibility. We will be happy to advise you on choosing and combining specific products. Please do not hesitate to ask us any questions using our usual email address info@higarden.eu.
We also recommend these products:
What to read next:
- Organics Nutrients: a natural way to achieve high yields
- How to grow in a greenhouse
- How to grow outdoors