Actually, the emoticons are not condescending at all. They're only there to help you give me the benefit of the doubt if you chose. I wasn't calling anyone out, either. I think you know my style is usually pretty straight forward when I do - I don't beat around the bush. I, with a smile on my face, was pointing out the irony in your taking the time to go off topic to chide what in your opinion was an off-topic exchange. Our opinions on that vary, and that's fine, but there's no question the conversation we're having now is off-topic. Actually, you already have 3 completely off-topic posts, and this is MY 3rd, (I apologize to Zusya for straying.) so if you reply and I don't, does that make you more guilty than I? I think it probably does, and I can't remember the last time I got away with "but he started it" as justification for my actions. I don't mind being called out at all. As long as someone's opinion is reasonably supportable or their offerings thoughtful, and they don't get personal, I'm good with it - especially if they can stay focused. If you can ever introduce something that refutes anything I say, or can shoot holes in my reasoning/logic, then have at it. I don't come here to hold the hands of people who don't know what they're talking about, but still feel compelled to offer definitive advice anyway (not referring to this thread specifically). I come here solely to help those that need or ask for it. The pay's meager, but I manage to find reward in that anyway. ;o) ;o) Al

CMT, Rooting hormone is not usually used on violets because you are not really after roots, you are after babies. The hormones will stimulate root growth and suppress plantlet growth. I used it at one time and was not very successful with it. Lots of roots; babies, not so much. Everything I have read of others using it says the same thing. We do need root formation but, as AV's root readily, this using RH is not necessary and may slow things down considerably. Let us know how our experiment turns out. Everyone's growing conditions and growing practices are different so you may be successful with it. Linda

I use to use rooting hormone on the secion of the leaves I would put down.. not the stalk of the leaf, but the cut sections of the leaf. Now, I quit using it and it works just as good.. in fact, the sections root faster without it. I tried an experiment putting down sections of the same leaf with and without. Babies appreared within 4 - 6 weeks without the hormone and about 8 - 10 weeks with it. The only time I use it.. is when I cut the crown off.. then I only use a very light dusting.. tap the neck on the side of the counter to knock off as much as I can.. put the neck in soil, water, put in an enclosed container and leave it alone for about a month.. only checking it to make sure it is not dry. Tea

as yiorges-z5il suggested, the actual compound that aids rooting needs to be used in such minute quantities (in pats per million) that dissolving the hormone in water might make the concentration too strong along the stem under water and you'd get more in the soil than on the base of the cutting (if you are using soil). The rooting compounds usually contain some auxin (usually IBA) - auxins are herbicides at high concentrations (hence the low concentrations in rooting hormones). That being said, because the concentration is so low, the majority of the rooting powders are fillers with the IBA mixed in. If you've ever gotten baby powder or flour wet, imagine using a thin/watery solution of flour and water on your plant...