VF-11 vs. Old rooting hormone?

I'm getting prepared for my first AV leaf trade (thank you Spider!). My question is this: is it better to use year old rooting hormone, just soak the perlite/soil mixture with VF-11, or do both? OR break down and buy some new rooting hormone...
I am so cheap~lol~ Opinions, please :)

Planti

Rooting hormone is not recommended nor needed for growing African violet babies by leaf ! Your also trying to grow babies not roots.
VF-11 is a food all African violet plants, babies, and leaves need. All plants need food.
VF-11 food and rooting hormone is two different things.
VF-11 or a good for without Urea is needed .
Rotting Hormone is not needed nor will you benifit from it.

Well, that settles it quickly, huh??? I'm really glad to hear it as I haven't used the rooting hormone on the leaves that I've been practicing on ~LOL~ My poor little NOIDS...I keep cutting off leaves trying to make some babies!!

Sounds like the VF-11 is the ticket. I'll tell ya, I sure feel lucky to be in an area where it's for sale. I looked at Wal-mart yesterday and they don't carry it (at least in that particular store)...

Thanks, V_T...I always appreciate you sharing your knowledge :)

Planti

Janet Rooting Hormone actually takes longer to get babies.
Here a few helpful links. And there are many more in our Sticky. First two threads in the forum!
Starting Leaves
http://www.rachelsreflections.com/violets3.htm#basket

rooting powder actually takes longer to make babies.
http://www.rachelsreflections.com/violets3.htm#rooting%20hormone

PROPAGATING VIOLETS BY LEAF CUTTING

African violets are very easily propagated from leaf. Even inexperienced growers can quickly produce additional plants and expand their collection

http://www.robsviolet.com/violets_by_leaf.htm

PROPAGATING STREPTOCARPUS BY LEAF CUTTING

Propagation of streptocarpus is actually very easy, in fact, in many ways easier than African violets and many other houseplants. They propagate fairly quickly and prolifically. Though they can be propagated from cuttings in a number of ways, this is how we do it. Follow these simple, step by step instructions, and you should have no problems getting more plants of your favorite varieties

http://www.robsviolet.com/streps_by_leaf.htm

I will point out though that if you are propogating suckers..you can use rooting hormone..though I don't and have had great success with my suckers :)

Thanks V_T!! I'll do my studies :) I'm so excited to get Spider's leaves...should come on Friday. Yippee!!

Planti

This is probably already in the stickies but...what DOES a sucker look like? Both of my plants are showing single small leaves growing underneath the plant. Is that the start of a sucker?

Not always but sometimes suckers can grow from the base of the plant. A sucker looks like a mini crown basically :) Only trailers should have more then one crown :)