Looking to propagate your favorite rose bush? You can easily grow roses from cuttings taken from the plant you want to multiply.
Cuttings are the way to go when you want to propagate your favorite rose bush! Simply, cut off a branch with at least 3 nodes and remove all leaves from where it is going into new growth. Next, dip in rooting hormone powder, then place on top of moist soil so that the severed end goes down into the ground about an inch or two deep.
You can easily grow roses from cuttings taken from the plant you want to multiply – follow these steps for success!
How to Grow Roses from Cuttings
1. Choose a Stem And Taking a Cutting
The best time to take rose cuttings from the parent plant is during the cooler months either early Spring or late Summer. Make sure you take the cuttings from healthy stems that are relatively new stems. The cuttings should be at least 12 inches long and should come from the outside of the plant rather than the center.
When taking a cutting, cut at a 45-degree angle using clean, sharp pruners. The angled cut helps to increase the surface area so that the plants can absorb more water and give you a better success rate.
2. Remove Most of the Leaves
Remove all the flowers, buds, smaller stems, and leaves except the top two sets of leaves on the stem. Getting rid of excess leaves reduces the leaf surface, effectively minimizing the amount of water loss.
Additionally, removing leaves ensures the plant focuses on root production instead of maintaining leaves, buds, and flowers. In the end, you will be in a better position to make more rose plants.
3. Prepare the Stem for Rooting
Use your pruning shears to make a fresh cut on the bottom of the plant cutting, just below a stem node. A node is a small bump on the stem where new stems or leaves will grow from. Cutting immediately below a node will ensure successful rooting since this is where the roots will form.
Next, place the stem on a cutting board and slice into the bottom part about a quarter of an inch up. You may want to divide the stem into open quarters.
4. Apply A Rooting Hormone
You can choose to skip this step. However, a rooting hormone will help promote new roots’ development. Therefore, to increase the chances of success, you should use powdered rooting hormone when planning to reproduce roses.
When using powdered rooting hormone, start by moistening the bottom half of the cutting so that the compound can stick. Next, dip the cut end of the stem into the rooting hormone and ensure it is well covered. Lastly, shake off any excess rooting hormone on the cutting.
5. Plant The Cuttings
Place at least six inches of potting soil for roses (I get mine from Home Depot) in a small pot or well-draining container. Use a stick to poke a planting hole in the potting medium before inserting the cutting in the hole. Be careful not to brush off the rooting hormone on the stem while at it.
After planting the cutting, gently push the soil around the stem to hold it in place. Remember to water the soil well to keep it moist. Adding rooting hormone to the water will help to stimulate root growth. If your planter does not have a drainage hole, be sure to watch that your soil does not stay too wet otherwise, it could cause root rot.
RELATED READ: The Best Fertilizer for Roses: This blog post will discuss the best organic and inorganic fertilizer options for rose bushes.
6. Loosely Cover The Stem
Place a plastic bag or jar over the stem and pot to serve as a miniature greenhouse that will help to protect the cuttings as they take root. The cover will also hold in moisture and ensure the soil remains moist. Ensure the bag does not rest on the leaves as this will cause them to be wet and increase the risk of fungal disease.
To allow for free air flow, consider using a vented bag and avoid tying it. This will go a long way in preventing mold and fungus growth during the rose propagation.
7. Keep An Eye On Your Rose Cuttings
You’ll want to keep your roses in a sunny area and water them daily. You can expect roots to start forming anywhere from two to eight weeks. Keep checking by gently tugging on the stem to see whether you will meet resistance. When the roots have grown, there will be resistance.
After the cuttings have roots, you can move the new roses to permanent locations in your garden or rose beds.
Once you grow roses from cuttings, you must protect the new plants from harsh conditions. The new roses will typically grow quite quickly. However, you will have to be patient since it will take time for the roses to produce flowers.
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