Friday, January 27, 2012

For gardeners...how dangerous is rooting hormone??

I used some rooting hormone on geranium cuttings, then put them into a drinking glass with some water. A moment later I read the package instructions and found that the rooting hormone is poisonous. I immediately washed the glass with warm soapy water. Do you think it is ok now, or what else should I do to sterilize it so I can use it again? Should I be freaked out about contact with this chemical?
For gardeners...how dangerous is rooting hormone??
your glass is fine......here's some info that explains the label....



from Gardenweb...



"As for what the cautions are for on the rooting hormone, it's a gastric irritant when swallowed--it is a form of acid, after all. It won't really hurt you, but it'll give you an upset tummy. As with any chemical in powder form, (especially an weak corrosive like IBA) it's irritating to mucous membranes when it comes in contact, thus the caution to not breathe it in and use eye protection. Now,these protections are recommended for someone who is around the stuff every day as a means of minimizing their health risks, and for occasionally rooting a few roses, avoiding getting it on your skin or breathing in the dust should be enough unless you have other health problems like asthma. ANd, the cautions on the MSDS are for someone who is dealing with IBA full strength, wheras Rootone or other similar products are usually 3% IBA and the rest inert products like talc. "
Reply:If you're doing a lot of cuttings, use old jelly jars instead of drinking glasses. Even if you're not using any kind of chemical , the glass will get all scuzzy from water deposits. The advantage of using glass is that you can see the progress of the root development. Also, plants that like a lot of water do best IN water, and will merrily grow roots without hormones.

Plant departments and home stores often sell a product called rooting medium (looks more like peat moss than potting soil), and the rooting hormone works best with something like this--it just rinses off in water.

Keep your eating utensils separate from your gardening utensils--some plants are poisonous too, and usually are not labeled. Always wash your hands after handling any plants that aren't salad greens--even tomato stems are mildly hazardous.

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