Softwood shoot forcing and subsequent rooting potential of Ginkgo biloba L. was evaluated in spring and fall seasons using sand, perlite, and vermiculite as horticultural substrates. No softwood shoots were obtained from epicormic buds during the fall, while forcing response in the experiments set up in spring was considerably better. Response in terms of days to bud break was observed to be the earliest in vermiculite which was significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) from days to bud break in sand or perlite that exhibited almost similar results. Number of sprouted softwood shoots was significantly higher in sand than perlite or vermiculite. A significant difference was also recorded in the number of leaves and softwood shoot size among three substrates with maximum values observed in sand followed by perlite and vermiculite. The softwood shoots produced in this way were then researched for their rooting potential by treating them with 1, 2 or 3 g l^-1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) before shifting them separately to sand, perlite or vermiculite. Days to root initiation and root length exhibited a significant difference amongst three substrates with a maximum value found in sand. Number of roots was also maximum in sand, while perlite and vermiculite supported almost similar results. Data indicated that root induction was not dependent on IBA concentration alone, as maximum percentage of root induction was obtained in sand with both low or high concentration of IBA.