the gel just helps...not absolutely necessary, but at wally's or whereever...You can buy schultz take-root powder...works good cheaper than gel.

another thing...after a year1/2 of cloning in my system, I switched and have been cloning with 1"r'wool with 99% success ratio. easier, less hassle, faster rooting time.

I love my systems, but I really have had a happy time since I quit using cloner. peace