Propagating Roses

Want to take rose gardening to the next level? Here’s tips and techniques to get new roses from plants you already have.

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“A rose is a rose is a rose.” – Gertrude Stein

Propagating from cuttings is by far the most commonly used method of reproducing roses. However, even under optimal conditions a 90% success rate is thought to be “pretty darn good!” Why is it so tricky? Well, the simple answer is that cuttings lack a root system to take up water and nutrients. So, in order to propagate your shrubs successfully, you must create an environment that will sustain them until they develop enough roots to survive on their own. Read on to find out how…

The best time to take cuttings from plants is when they are growing vigorously, typically in early summer (see Take Summer Cuttings). Stems that are neither brand new or fully mature and have fading flowers (or flowers that just lost their petals) are desirable. A stem with a flower bud showing no color is too young.

We all want more of a good thing. Fortunately, there are wonderful plant propagation tools for helping gardeners take cuttings/clones of their favorite plants and grow more of them, successfully and easily.

Start by filling a clean container with a good quality growing mix. Ideally, you’re potting medium should be light and fast-draining, yet contain enough organic matter to remain moist. Quality potting soils can be purchased from your local garden store, or you can create your own soilless mix by combining perlite, vermiculite and peat moss. Water the potting mix so that it is moist but not soggy.

Propagating Roses from Cuttings

1.) Choose cuttings that are healthy and representative of the plant.

2.) Take cuttings from the upper part of the plant and from the side. For some reason, cuttings taken from the middle of the plant do not root as well.

3.) Select a stem that is four to six inches long and has at least two or three leaves attached. Leaves produce sugars from photosynthesis and hormones that promote rooting.

4.) Using a razor blade or sharp pruning shears make a clean slice at a 45 degree angle to maximize the rooting area. Most cuttings root best if the slice is made just below a leaf node (where branches come out of the stem).

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5.) Remove flowers or buds from the cutting, as well as any lower leaves. Cut the remaining leaves in half to reduce moisture loss through transpiration. Also, less foliage will maximize the amount of energy the cutting can expend on developing roots as opposed to maintaining the leaves.

6.) Quickly dip the bottom two inches of the cutting into a cloning solution or rooting hormone. Rooting hormone is not always necessary but will greatly improve your success rate.

7.) Using a pencil make a small hole in the growing medium for the stem to fit into and gently tamp the cutting into place.

8.) Cover with a mayonnaise jar or put the whole container in a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect and maintain high humidity levels.

9.) Roses root best in bright light. Set them in a window and provide bottom warmth from a heat mat at all times. Avoid overheating the cuttings.

10.) Keep the growing media moist and wait until roots appear, usually in as little as three to four weeks. Slowly “harden off” plants before transplanting outside. Visit the Royal Horticultural Society for advice on hardening off tender plants.

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Eric Vinje

Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.

Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.

Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.