Rooting powder, also known as rooting hormone, is typically used to promote the rooting of plant cuttings. It contains one of three types of rooting hormones: auxins, cytokinins, or gibberellins. The most commonly used rooting hormone in commercial products is usually a synthetic auxin called indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).
If you want to use rooting powder in a bubble cloner, you can add it to the water, but it's important to note that rooting powder is designed to be applied directly to the cut end of plant cuttings, not typically dissolved in water. When you dip the cut end of a plant cutting into rooting powder, it adheres to the cut surface and promotes root development.
Using rooting powder in water may not be as effective because the concentration of the rooting hormone in the water may not be sufficient to encourage root development. Additionally, some rooting powders contain other ingredients that are not meant to be dissolved in water.
To achieve the best results with a bubble cloner, it's recommended to dip your plant cuttings in rooting powder before placing them in the cloning machine. This will ensure that the rooting hormone is in direct contact with the cut ends of the stems, where it can have the greatest impact on root development.
If you're looking for ways to encourage faster root development, you can experiment with different concentrations of rooting powder or try different types of rooting hormones. Keep in mind that the success of root development also depends on factors such as the plant species, environmental conditions, and the overall health of the cuttings.