Yates Clonex Rooting Hormone Gel Red 50mL – Hardwood Cutting Propagation Gel (8g/L IBA)

Yates Clonex Rooting Hormone Gel Red 50mL: Hardwood Cutting Propagation Gel

Yates Clonex Rooting Hormone Gel in Red is the high-strength gel in the Clonex range, formulated specifically for hardwood cuttings. It contains 8g/L Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA), a synthetic auxin that triggers and drives new root formation, along with a blend of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to feed and protect the emerging roots. Hardwood cuttings, taken from mature wood that doesn't bend easily, are the hardest to strike and need a stronger dose of rooting hormone, which is exactly what the Red formula delivers. Clonex has been the go-to propagation gel for home gardeners and professionals worldwide for decades.

Choosing the right strength matters, and this is where the Clonex colour system helps. The range comes in three strengths: Green (1.5g/L IBA) for softwood cuttings, Purple (3.0g/L IBA) for semi-hardwood, and this Red (8.0g/L IBA) for hardwood. Matching the strength to the cutting gives you the best strike rate, so Red is the one to reach for when you're propagating woody, mature-stemmed plants rather than soft new growth.

The gel format is a real practical advantage over powders. It requires no mixing and makes no mess, it clings to the cut surface so the hormone stays in contact with the stem, and it seals and protects the cutting from infection and air embolisms while roots form. It genuinely lets a home gardener achieve professional propagation results.

Key Features & Benefits

• High-strength Red formula with 8g/L IBA, made for hardwood cuttings

• Contains a blend of rooting hormone, nutrients, vitamins and minerals

• Seals and protects the cutting while roots develop

• Ready-to-use gel, no mixing and no mess

• Clings to the cutting so the hormone stays in contact with the stem

• Part of a colour-coded range so you can match strength to cutting type

• Helps home gardeners achieve professional propagation results

How to Use

At the end of the growing season, select healthy shoots and take a cutting 5 to 15cm long, cutting the base on an angle. Pour a little Clonex into a separate clean container rather than dipping into the bottle, then dip the lower 1.5cm of the cutting into the gel. Plant it immediately into a propagating or seed-raising mix. Keep the mix moist during the entire period of root formation. Discard any gel you have decanted rather than tipping it back into the bottle, which keeps the remaining product clean and effective.

Getting the Best From It

• Match the colour to the cutting. Use Red for hardwood (mature, woody stems). For soft new growth or semi-hard wood, the Green or Purple strengths give better results, as too much hormone can cause callusing without roots.

• Always decant, never dip into the bottle. Pour out what you need and discard the excess. Dipping cuttings straight into the bottle contaminates the whole container.

• Use clean, sharp tools. A clean angled cut just below a node, made with sterilised secateurs, gives the cutting the best chance to strike.

• Keep it moist and be patient. Hardwood cuttings are the slowest to root, so keep the mix consistently moist and give them time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the red, purple and green Clonex?
They are different strengths of rooting hormone. Green is 1.5g/L IBA for softwood cuttings, Purple is 3.0g/L IBA for semi-hardwood, and Red is 8.0g/L IBA for hardwood cuttings. Matching the strength to the cutting improves your success rate.

What is Clonex Red used for?
It is the high-strength gel for hardwood cuttings, taken from mature wood that doesn't bend easily. The stronger 8g/L IBA dose suits these harder-to-root cuttings.

What is the active ingredient?
It contains 8g/L Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA), a synthetic auxin that initiates and promotes root growth, plus supporting nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

How do I use the gel?
Decant a little into a clean container, dip the lower 1.5cm of a freshly cut stem into the gel, then plant it straight into a propagating mix and keep it moist while roots form.

Do I need to mix it with anything?
No. It is a ready-to-use gel with no mixing required, which makes it clean and simple to use.

Where can I buy Yates Clonex Red 50mL in Australia?
It is available online in the 50mL size with shipping across Australia and local pickup in Bonnyrigg, NSW. Current pricing is shown on this page