How to Root Roses

Roses are the flower of beauty and love. Now you can add this natural beauty and elegance to your own landscape by rooting rose cuttings. You and your neighbors can share rooted rose cuttings for everyone to enjoy.

Things You'll Need

• Rose cuttings
• Rooting compound
• Containers to start the plants
• Glass or plastic jars or 2-liter bottles
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

Cut Roots

1. Take cuttings from heirloom roses. Hybrid roses are generally grafted onto root stock roses.

2. Make sure the cuttings are 6 to 8 inches long. Leave at least two leaves on the cutting. Also make sure there is a leaf node at the bottom of the cutting.

3. Use only cuttings from rose bushes. Cut roses will not be able to be rooted.

Rooting Compound

1. Find rooting compound in garden centers or the garden department of other stores.

2. Determine which rooting compound you want to use to root roses. There are liquids and powders. It really does not matter which one you choose as the results will generally be the same.

3. Pour a portion of the rooting compound into a small container. Never dip a cutting directly into the bottle of rooting compound. If there is any bacteria on the cutting, it will spread throughout the container. This could affect any future cuttings you may try to root.

Containers

1. Choose a flat tray or other container to use for rooting roses. You can cut the bottom off a 2-liter soda bottle. Keep the lid on the bottle and cover the cutting with the soda bottle. You may want to use a flat tray and cover it with plastic wrap but ensure the plastic wrap does not touch the cuttings. You can also plant the rose cuttings in individual containers and cover the cuttings with glass jars until they are rooted.

2. Fill the container with a sterile planting medium. Do not use just any dirt as the dirt could contain contaminates that will cause the cuttings to rot.

3. Moisten the planting medium by misting with water. Do not allow the planting medium to become soggy, but check to ensure the soil is moist enough to help the rooting process.

4. Poke holes with a pencil into the planting medium about an inch apart. This is where the cuttings will be placed.

Rooting the Roses

1. Dip the cuttings, one at a time, into the rooting compound. Make sure the leaf nodes at the bottom of the cutting are covered with the rooting compound. Dust the cuttings off by shaking or tapping them slightly.

2. Stick the dipped cuttings into the holes of the planting tray.

3. Firmly pat the planting medium around the cuttings to ensure there are no air gaps around the cutting. Air can cause the cutting to rot instead of rooting.

4. Cover the cutting container with plastic wrap or whatever jar you have chosen.

5. keep the cuttings in a warm, shady place for 2 weeks. Check daily to ensure the planting medium is moist enough. Mist with water as needed, being careful not to overwater.

6. Check the cuttings after 2 weeks to determine if they have started rooting. You can do this by gently pulling on the cutting. If there is resistance, the cutting has started to root.

7. Allow the cutting to continue rooting for another week. You can then remove the cover and place the cuttings in individual containers. These containers can be put in a shady spot in the yard to harden the new plants. Once there are more leaves on the new plants, they can be planted directly where you want the roses to be enjoyed.

Tips & Warnings

• Use new growth from the rose bush for the cuttings.

• Ensure the plant is disease free and healthy before taking a cutting.

• Direct sunlight on the cuttings while they are trying to root can kill them.

• Too much water can cause the cuttings to rot. Only mist as needed. If you do not see condensation on the plastic, the soil is too dry.