Learning how to grow roses from cuttings is a useful skill that every rose gardener must know.
Propagating roses might seem like a laborious process, but it’s really quite simple. Using stems from an existing rose plant, you can multiply your collection of roses. And the best part is how fun and satisfying it is to do.
Read on to learn more.
- Materials Needed
- When Is The Best Time To Grow Rose Cuttings?
- How Long Does It Take For Rose Cuttings To Root?
- How To Grow Roses From Cuttings In 6 Steps
- How To Grow Roses From Cuttings Using Rooting Hormone
- How To Grow Roses From Cuttings Without Rooting Hormone
- How To Care For The Newly Rooted Cuttings
- Conclusion
Materials Needed
- Rose cuttings ➥
- Potting mix ➥
- Pots or containers ➥
- Rooting hormone ➥
- Water ➥
- Plastic bag, or plastic wrap ➥
When Is The Best Time To Grow Rose Cuttings?
The best time to grow rose cuttings is during the late spring to early summer.
The reason for this is that the ideal type of stem that we’re looking for is new softwood growth.
This type of branch will provide the fastest growth rate as opposed to older branches.
How Long Does It Take For Rose Cuttings To Root?
The earliest that roots start to form on a rose cutting is two weeks.
However, you can expect your rose cuttings to have developed roots after 2 months of care.
A fully established, productive rose plant will take a considerably longer amount of time; around 2 to 3 growing seasons.
How To Grow Roses From Cuttings In 6 Steps
- Step 1. Select the best rose cuttings
Select a segment of the rose bush that is 12 inches long.
When looking for a branch to cut, consider these factors to find the perfect cutting:
1. The branch should be new and recently bloomed. These branches are green in color and the stems are very flexible.
2. The ideal branches for propagation come from the sides of the plant, as opposed to the center.
3. The branch should be about the width of a pencil.
Before cutting into your rose plant, we strongly advise you to sterilize your pruning shears to avoid the possible spreading of bacteria.
Simply wiping the blades with isopropyl alcohol will sufficiently kill off any residual bacteria.
Using shears, cut a piece of the branch at a 45 degree angle. - Step 2. Prepare the cuttings
After you’ve harvested your branch, it is time to prepare the cutting for propagation.
Here is how you should prepare them:
1. Trim the cutting and remove any flowers or buds on the stem. These flowers/buds take up the plant’s energy and are a hinderance to the rooting process.
Our goal here is to encourage the branch to use its energy towards developing roots.
The same applies to most of the leaves on the branch as well. Trim all but the top two sets of leaves.
2. After that, cut off the top segment of the stem just above the remaining leaves.
Make another new cut on the bottom of the stem, right below a stem node. Stem nodes are the various bumps along the branch where new growth comes from.
3. Then, make two cuts up into the bottom of the stem about 1/4”. The bottom of the stem should be segmented into four parts. - Step 3. Apply root hormone
Root hormone is a crucial component in plant propagation. It can be found naturally in potatoes or honey, or you can use rooting powder to stimulate root growth.
- Step 4. Plant the cuttings
To plant the rose cuttings successfully, just follow these steps:
1. Fill a small pot with the potting mix of your choice.
2. Poke a hole into the soil using your finger and plant your rose stem.
3. Plant the rose stem deep enough that half of the stem is in the soil, while the other half is above the surface. For example, if your cutting is 12 inches total, then 6 inches should be buried.
4. Gently pack the soil to secure the cutting in place and give your cutting a thorough watering.
Add in a steady stream of water until you notice the excess water pouring from the drainage holes. This will ensure that every layer of soil has received adequate moisture. - Step 5. Cover the cuttings with a plastic bag or wrap
Using a plastic bag or wrap, loosely cover the entire plant. This will not only help retain soil moisture, but it will create a “greenhouse” effect.
The bag should still be ventilated, hence why it should only loosely cover the plant.
In addition, it is important that none of the remaining leaves touch the bag, as this can cause them to become susceptible to fungal disease.
Place the covered plant in a location with bright light. If natural light cannot be provided, a grow light is an excellent substitute. - Step 6. Water the cuttings
The soil should be evenly moist at all times, but not waterlogged as this can increase the risk of rotting.
Keeping that plastic bag over your plant will help do a lot of the work for you in terms of keeping the soil properly moist.
When you notice the soil beginning to turn dry, give your new plant some water to keep it hydrated.
How To Grow Roses From Cuttings Using Rooting Hormone
If you want to unlock the secrets of successful rose propagation with rooting hormone here is a guide about how to cultivate vibrant roses from cuttings using natural rooting hormone and rooting powder.
How To Grow Roses From Cuttings Using Natural Rooting Hormone
If you want to propagate roses organically here is a simple yet effective method using natural hormones like potato and honey to foster the growth of beautiful blooms from cuttings.
- Using potatoes
To use potatoes as natural rooting hormone, take a sharp knife and cut a hole in a potato about the same width as the rose cutting.
The potato can be any variety, as long as the potato is ripe, firm with moist flesh, and any eyes have been removed.
Another thing to be aware of with potatoes is that certain distributors of potatoes spray their crops with anti-rooting chemicals.
These substances can leak into your rose and render the entire propagation unviable.
You can avoid it by selecting an organic potato that has been grown without any chemical intervention.
With the rose cutting firmly nestled in the potato, proceed with planting the cutting with the potato.
- Using honey
Similar to the potato method, dip the cut-end of the rose stem into honey and proceed with planting.
Commercially-sold honey can have secret additives, so it is important to be discerning with the honey brand that you select for propagation.
We suggest organic, all-natural honey for propagation to ensure there are no added substances that could impact the likelihood of propagation.
How To Grow Roses from Cuttings Using Rooting Powder
To use rooting powder, moisten the cut end of your rose stem.
After that, dip the end into the hormone rooting powder and gently shake off the excess.
How To Grow Roses From Cuttings Without Rooting Hormone
Growing roses from cuttings without rooting hormones is entirely possible, albeit the likelihood of rooting is lower.
To grow roses from cuttings without any rooting hormones, simply skip step 3 and move on directly to planting the cuttings.
In situations where rooting hormone is not used, the selection of cuttings is all the more important.
Selecting healthy, viable specimens for propagation helps increase the chances of rooting.
How To Care For The Newly Rooted Cuttings
1. Light Requirements
Aim to provide your cuttings with a full day’s worth of sunlight. At least 6 hours a day is necessary to achieve a successful propagation.
Windowsills, balconies, and bright rooms are perfect places for your rose cutting to thrive.
If you are unable to provide at least 6 hours of natural light, then using a grow light is a great alternative.
2. Water Requirements
Newly rooted cuttings’ soil should be uniformly moist.
As long as the cuttings are covered with a plastic bag, the makeshift greenhouse will help maintain an even level of moisture for the most part.
However, if you notice the soil starting to dry out, spritz the soil with water to rehydrate your plant.
3. Fertilize the Cuttings
At this sensitive stage of the rose cuttings’ life, fertilizer is not a major priority.
The potting mix that was used at the time of planting should give your roses a good boost of nutrients as it establishes itself.
However, if you do opt to fertilize your rose cuttings at this point, it is important to use a fertilizer that is gentle.
While fertilizer is extremely helpful, some gardeners give their plants too much love and the fertilizer becomes counterproductive to the cuttings’ development.
It is suggested to use a gentle fertilizer, such as one that is fish or kelp-based.
4. Transplant the Cuttings into Larger Pots or in the Garden
You can transplant your rose cuttings into a larger pot or in-ground when the cutting has successfully rooted.
Here are some ways to check if the propagation was a success:
- Check the cutting for signs of new growth. Changes in height and new leaves are clear indicators of rooting.
- Give the stem of the rose plant a slight tug. If you’re met with resistance, then that means the rose cutting has grown established roots.
Before moving your cuttings into a new location, it is important to harden off your cuttings.
Hardening off plants is the process of acclimating them to a new climate by gradually exposing them to the elements.
Once a day, take your rose cuttings outdoors for a few hours.
Gradually keep adding more time outside until your cuttings can securely handle outdoor conditions.
This process can take about two weeks.
When your roses are fully acclimated, they can safely be transplanted either to a larger pot or in-ground.
Related post: Planting Roses (A Step-By-Step Guide)
After transplanting into a new location, be sure to give your roses a deep, thorough watering in order to lessen the risk of transplant shock.
Conclusion
Growing roses from cuttings is a process that requires patience, but the reward certainly makes it worth the wait.
Not to mention that propagating rose plants using the stems is a low-cost alternative to purchasing several rose bushes from a nursery.
Propagated rose cuttings also make excellent gifts for your loved ones.
As long as your rose plants produce stems, you can make your plants multiply!
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