Many gardeners are intimidated by the thought of propagating roses from cuttings. In this article, I will explain step by step how to propagate roses with little effort. Even the novice gardener will feel confident using this method of propagating roses and many other plants as well. Before you know it, you could have a rose garden to rival even the “White House”.
Here’s a list of things you’ll need to get started.
- One 1-gallon plastic zip-lock storage or freezer bag.
- Pair of by-pass pruning sheers.
- 1 quart of soil-less potting mix.
- 1 quart of perlite (for drainage).
- Rooting hormone.
- Source of healthy cuttings.
- Household bleach.
Once you have gathered everything you’ll need, it’s time to take your cuttings. First, sterilize your pruning sheers with some bleach. Just dab some on with a cotton ball and let dry. Once they are dry, start taking your cuttings. You should find a stem that has bloomed and cut the stem about 5-6 inches long cutting just below a leaf node (that’s where the leaf attaches to the stem). I suggest doing this in the early morning hours before the sun has gotten too hot. Trim off the spent bloom and all but the top 2 or 3 sets of leaflets.
Now take your zip-lock bag and fill the bottom with about 2 1/2” or 3” of the potting mix and perlite combination (mix them together well). Next, dip the cut end of the cutting in water about 1/4” to 1/2” from the cut. Then, dip the cut end into the rooting hormone. Finally, make a small hole into the soil with the end of a pencil and insert the cutting up to the first set of leaves, but do not cover the first set of leaves. Firm the soil around the cutting. You should be able to fit about five or six cutting in a 1 gallon bag. Moisten the soil perlite mix until just moist (not wet).
Once you have your cutting in the bag with the soil and perlite, do not put in direct sunlight. Instead, put the whole thing zipped up and all in a warm spot with indirect light. You can check on your progress by just checking for new growth and new roots. Most roses will root using this method within 2-6 weeks. You should not have to water your cuttings and when you see new roots, just transplant them into individual containers until you’re ready to plant outside. You will have to harden them off before planting outdoors. Just move them outside into a shady spot and gradually introduce them to full sun a little at a time. You can propagate roses nearly any time of the year using this method.
