I use cuttings of firm new growth .. Apply 0.3% IBA (Rooting Hormone) stick in well drained soil & mist taking 30-70 days to root...... Honey draws flies But will not help rooting.

Will work without the rooting hormone?
What are my chances of succes without it?
Thanks

for many classically difficult to propagate species, when attempting to root cuttings, there is often some benefit to be gained by generating warmth below the roots. this can be done in any number of way- including, but not limited to burying fresh compost a significant distance below the root zone of the soil, and placing pots on a pile of hot compost, or above a current of warm air. due to the danger of mold involved in bay propagation, compost may or may not be risky.
in a possibly more direct practice, rooting may be encouraged with the use of willow. the dry leaves may be crushed and mixed in with the planting medium, or applied as a mulch. a tea can also be brewed hot or cold of the fresh or dried leaves(let to cool if brewed hot). also-i may add that this is my preference- the fresh or dried leaves and stems of willow may be placed in a large watertight container with half their volume of water, and allowed to ferment for anywhere from 3-180 days before using the tea to assist in root development. for shorter brewing times, an addition of no more than 1% of any variety vinegar can be added to assist in the process.
if willow is not readily available in your location this point may be of no use. the fermented tea of willow is comparable in its effectiveness to commercial rooting hormone, but is not petroleum derived, and does not stimulate root growth by mutating existing cell tissue into a state of rooting, but by encouraging new root tissue cells to grow from existing tissues. again, due to the common dependance of bay cuttings on high humidity and the risk of mold to their success, the fermentation or direct application methods may not provide maximum effectiveness.

With your neighbors tree producing lots of root suckers, you should be able to dig up rooted suckers and save yourself time and work. Evergreen trees are still growing in the winter but SLOWLY. Cuttings taken when the new growth is rapid would be easier to root, with or without hormone. Hormone formulas also contain fungicides with help prevent mold of the cutting. Al