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Are basil cuttings rooted with rooting hormone safe?

17 years ago

Hey guys, I rooted 4 cuttings of my lemon basil to bring in the house for the winter because the plant got huge over the summer. Now, my question is: Since I rooted the cuttings using a rooting hormone, will it be safe to eat and use in cooking? Thanks for any advice. Joel.

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Comments (4)

Daisyduckworth
17 years ago
Of course! Why wouldn't they be? If you're worried about it, however, next time just use pure honey instead of rooting hormone.

To make rooting hormone soak the yellow-tipped shoots of a weeping willow tree in water. A tea made from the bark of a willow tree is also effective. When using the shoots or bark soak them for 24 hours prior to using.

Rooting hormone is usually sold as indole butyric acid (IBA). It simply encourages the cuttings to form new roots.
nygardener
17 years ago
Some rooting gels and solutions are sold for use on ornamental plants only. Check the label for warnings, or for statements that it's OK for fruits and vegetables.
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Hi Plant Nut - look at the beautiful claws on that cutting!! And from what you are describing about your cutting...I really think it will root. I've had similar experiences. I do get triple digit temperature where I live and so I root all my cutting in shaded area. Otherwise it will get sunburn from heat radiating from the top of the soil. Good luck on your large cutting. Don't give up. ~Kasie
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vera_eastern_wa
17 years ago
Basil roots so easily that rooting hormones are not needed.

Vera
teryaki
17 years ago
The short answer: Yes.

The long answer: Absolutely yes, after a full season of growing.

Vera's right, though; basil doesn't need hormones to take root from cuttings, it will happily do so on it's own with three straight days of heavy watering.

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