Can someone explain the active ingredients in these various root growth solutions?

Hi to all,

Im curious as to the science behind these various approaches to stimulating root growth in cuttings.  Anybody? Additionally, does anybody mix these components for a really potent wide spectrum root stimulator?

Commercial Root Growth Hormone (Auxins)
Dilute Apple Cider Vinegar
Aloe Gel
Honey
Willow

Any help most appreciated.

I can't answer to all of those, but the commercial root growth hormone (auxin) is more prevalent in willow then in most other plants.  I wonder if the honey and aloe gel are added to an ingredient list to act as binders to ensure that the hormone mix actually clings to the cutting to get higher rooting.  
I make a rooting hormone solution by macerating the plant tips of willow in a blender with water, and I get great rooting on broadleaf shrubs.   I can see aloe gel or honey added to the solution would do a better job of holding more of the solution to the bottom of the cutting.  

Auxin is a plant hormone that causes cell elongation. It makes the top of the plant expand and grow and also makes roots branch out and grow.

Auxins content is really high in willow and in aloe, so by dipping plantcuttings in liquid from them, the cells in the presence of auxin start to elongate and grow.

I think honey is used as an antibacterial/antifungal to prevent those little guys from infecting/rotting/just generally getting into the fresh cut of the plant.

Thanks Jack and Tiffany, I appreciate the response, its helpful.  I like the bit about masticating willow tips (but what about willow roots, wouldnt it have more active ingredients?) I wonder about claims that an asprin will keep flowers in water healthier and longer, could it be salycilic acid a component of willow?  Anyway I heeled a bunch of fruit tree cuttings this year with honey as an adhesive gel and dusted with root growth hormone, but I will likely go with willow next year which is pretty cheap and plentiful in my area.  I am trying some cuttings in the window using low concentrations of apple cider vinegar to see what they will do too, as an experiment. Thanks again. Mike

Tuning in very late, for my first permies post 💪

I've gone down the wormhole of synthetic auxin research, to the point my fridge is packing two kilos of IBA-K and NAA. My aspiration now is to experiment with their application as powder to root cuttings and foliage spray.

What got me to this point is the ridiculous prices for tubs of 98.5% talc powder with 1.5% active ingredients. I figured, if I can get the active ingredients, I can do it myself!

From my research, auxins will tell plant 'stem' cells (which can grow into anything) to forget how to grow into anything else other than roots. I've also learned that sometimes it's beneficial to let the cut heal over a bit before applying the rooting powder.