How to Grow Roses from Cuttings Off Your Favorite Varieties

Growing roses from cuttings is an exciting way to propagate your favorite rose varieties and create new plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you successfully grow roses from cuttings:

Choose the Right Time: The best time to take rose cuttings is in late spring or early summer when the rose bushes are actively growing and producing new shoots.

Select Healthy Stems: Look for healthy, disease-free stems that are young and vigorous. Choose stems that are about the thickness of a pencil and have at least two to three leaf nodes (the points where leaves emerge) on them.

Prepare the Cuttings: Using a sharp and clean pair of pruning shears, make a diagonal cut just below a leaf node at the bottom of the stem and another diagonal cut just above a leaf node at the top of the stem. Each cutting should be around 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in length.

Remove Leaves and Thorns: Strip off the lower leaves, leaving only one or two pairs of leaves at the top of the cutting. If there are any thorns on the stem, carefully remove them to prevent injuries when handling the cuttings.

Rooting Hormone (Optional): While not necessary, dipping the cut end of the stem in a rooting hormone powder or gel can encourage quicker root development.

Planting Medium: Use a well-draining rooting medium for the cuttings. You can use a mix of equal parts perlite and peat moss or a commercial rooting mix. Moisten the medium before planting the cuttings.

Plant the Cuttings: Make a hole in the rooting medium with a pencil or stick and insert the cut end of the rose cutting into the hole, ensuring at least one leaf node is buried below the surface. Gently press the medium around the cutting to hold it in place.

Create a Mini Greenhouse: Cover the container or planting area with a clear plastic bag or a plastic dome to create a mini greenhouse effect. This will help retain moisture and maintain a humid environment for the cuttings.

Provide Indirect Light: Place the container in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the cuttings.

Maintain Moisture: Check the moisture level of the rooting medium regularly, and mist the cuttings inside the mini greenhouse as needed to keep them adequately moist.

Patience and Observation: It can take several weeks for the cuttings to develop roots. Be patient and continue to monitor the cuttings for signs of growth.

Transplanting: Once the cuttings have developed a healthy root system (usually indicated by new growth), they are ready to be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden. Allow them to acclimate gradually to outdoor conditions if they were kept indoors.

Growing roses from cuttings can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to expand your rose collection with your favorite varieties. With proper care and patience, you’ll soon have new rose plants that remind you of the beauty of your original favorites.