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Roses are some of the most beautiful and desired flowers in the world. They can also be very expensive. Instead of buying new plants or rootstock, why not try growing roses from cuttings instead? It is an inexpensive and fairly easy way to start or expand a rose garden. All that you’ll need is some basic household items, some potting soil, a source for rose cuttings, and a little time and effort.
Most types of roses can be grown from cuttings, but some definitely will work better than others. The hardy shrub and climbing varieties are the best species for growing roses from cuttings. You can ask a friend or neighbor to share a cutting from a healthy, existing plant. Hybrid tea roses are the types that you see in florists bouquets of cut roses, with long stems and a single flower at the end. These are generally more difficult, but not impossible, to propagate. These roses have been grown in a controlled environment and have already expended a lot of their energy in producing a bloom. However, it doesn’t hurt to give it a try.
When growing roses from cuttings, you want to select a healthy, blooming plant as your parent plant. Cut a 6-10 inch section that has several leaf joints and at least one flower bud. Place the stem in a container of water for 24 hours to make sure that it is good and moist. Remove the bud or buds from the plant. Blooming expends the plants nutrients; you want it to focus on growing roots instead. Then, you’ll need to remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem section by hand. You want 3-4 leaf joints stripped down because that is where the new roots will grow. Finally, dip the cut end in rooting medium. Rooting medium is a hormone that is available at most garden centers and will help the plant grow.
Now you’re ready to plant your stem section. Use a 4” or larger pot and a good brand of potting soil. Poke a hole in the soil with a pencil or stick. Don’t use the stem of the plant to make the hole; you may damage the exposed cut end. Plant your stem so that the soil covers those 3 or 4 leaf joints that you exposed. Gently press the soil into place around the stem. Put a gallon freezer bag over the entire pot and place in a warm location with partial sun. The freezer bag is going to act as a tiny greenhouse and will keep your cutting warm and humid. Open the bag and use a small sprayer to mist the cutting frequently. It should be constantly moist, but not drenched. In 3-4 weeks your stem should be producing roots and will be ready to transplant when you see new leaf growth on the stem.
Roses have gotten a bad rap as finicky, difficult to grow plants. In reality, it is very easy growing roses from cuttings. All it takes is a healthy, well established parent plant, some basic household items and a little TLC. Now you can share your roses with others and create lovely, living gifts from your own garden.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about flower gardens and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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