How do you use your rooting hormone?

I use rootone. I've always tapped a little into the cap and then rolled my damp cutting in it, then tapped whatever was left in the cap at the end of my planting session into the waste basket. I didn't want to contaminate the whole jar. Today I had a large stem (brugmansia) so I did dip the entire stem into the jar, my jar is really old, probably should buy some new anyway. But what does everyone else do? Am I being ridiculous worrying about contamination? It's sure easier to just dip the stem in.

That is why I use the gel and the same brush ,, powders I get crazy with or about , If that makes any sense ..

I used to use Rootone, and usually just stuck the moistened end of the stem into the jar. I never was concerned about cross-contamination.

I switched to Dip'N Grow last year and the results from this, compared to Rootone, was amazing. It is a powder that is mixed with water, or for me, I use a gel substance called Dip-Gel rather than water. When I mix up a batch it is usually about a pint and I use a brush to apply it to the cutting. I discard whatever is unused. The gel stays on the cutting much longer. Be warned though. Dip'N Grow is awfully expensive but for me, rooting plumeria, fiddle leaf ficus and "narrow-leaf" ficus, it was worth the additional cost.

Ken

thanks for the input everyone, sounds like I will be switching to the painted on gel method.

I might of thought to mentioned I used Clonex gel, with excellent results . It too is $ but not much different in the sample size than the powders .
The result being obtained , being the point ,,?