What is Willow Water?

Willow water is water in which willow cuttings have been immersed and produced a liquid that is said to support rooting. Bonsai enthusiasts use this in particular. Willow was originally used as a root stimulant when commercially viable rooch hormonal powders were not available. They were well aware of some of the features of this tree because they chew Willow Bark to relieve teeth pain. Willow Bark contains a substance called salicin or salicylic acid, which is related to aspirin painkillers. The native Americans found that it is possible to grow a new willow tree simply by taking a branch from an existing tree and inserting into wet soil. This led to another discovery that the water in which the pieces of branches and twigs sat when they were used to watering other plants could stimulate rooting. This substance is a plant hormone that stimulates root growth. Synthetic forms of this hormone are used in many commercial root PRanes and preparations. IBA is present at high concentrations at the growing tip of the willow branches. The selection of the actively growing part of the willow branch, their cutting and their soaking in water will lead to a significant amount of leaching IBA into water.

salicylic acid, which, together with the IBA, leaches into the water, when the water of willow is produced, may also have a beneficial effect on chain spread. One of the biggest threats for newly promoted cuttings is infection with bacteria and fungi. Salicylic acid helps plants to fight infection and can therefore give cuts a better chance of survival. Plants, when infected with infectious substances, often do not produce salicylic acid, so the provision of acid in water can be particularly advantageous.

Willow water can be made of cuttings of any tree or shrubs of the Willow family, groups of plants with the scientific name Salix. The more strings are used and the longer they are soaked inWater, the stronger the resulting willlow water. Recommendations for the precise dipping method differ. Cold water can be used and the times of soaking four or more weeks are cited. Other gardeners use boiling water to immerse the willow twigs and soak the mixture for about 24 hours.