PROPAGATING ROSES

• Roses like other woody shrubs can be propagated in a number of ways.
• Only species roses will come true from seed.  
• All hybrids must be propagated as cuttings, grafted, or tissue culture.

The most common way home gardeners propagate roses is by taking soft wood cuttings during the growing season and rooting them.

• Roses that are still under Plant Patent protection may not be propagated.

Striking cuttings

• Take cuttings from stems that have just finished flowering.
• The stem is ready if you can push off   prickles with your thumb without it ripping or bending.
• Cuttings should be from 6 to 8 inches in length.
• Make your cut just above a leaf node or bud eye.
• Remove any flowers or hips.
• Remove the lowest 2 or 3 leaves from the cutting.
• Make a new cut just below the lowest bud eye at a 45° angle.
• Dip the freshly cut end in a rooting compound.   Use Rootone #1 or something similar.   Knock of any excess rooting compound.
• Use a mixture of 50% Perlite and 50% sharp sand as a rooting medium.
• Stick the prepared cutting up to the lowest leaf on the stem in medium.
• Label the container with the name and date the cuttings were prepared.
• Water the container.
• Place the container of cuttings under a mist system or use a clear plastic bag to retain moisture and act as a mini-greenhouse.
• Place the wrapped container in a bright spot in the garden but not in full sun.
• Roses can root in as little as 4 to 6 weeks.
• Check frequently to make sure the container hasn't dried out.
• Once you see fresh roots growing out of the drainage holes the cuttings are ready for potting up.
• Handle only one container of cuttings at a time for potting up.
• Gently ease out the rooted cuttings onto the potting bench and gently separate them from each other.
• Plant 1 cutting in a 4" clean plastic pot using fresh potting medium.
• Label and water pots.
• Fertilize only after the cutting starts showing signs of growth.
• Move the 4" cuttings to larger containers as you see roots growing out of the drainage holes.
• Removing flower buds will allow the new plant to put all its energy into growing.

Clair Martin

2/6/04