How to Propagate Knockout Roses

Knockout rose trees are popular among gardeners, as they're the easiest type of rose plants to care for. The flower is extremely hardy and the plant requires very little pruning and maintenance. It also resists most diseases. The knockout rose has dark green foliage with beautiful pink, rainbow, red, or white and yellow flowers. The roses come in single or double blooms. Propagating a knockout rose tree is simple.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sterile knife
• Rooting hormone
• Propagating mix
• Pot
• Garden shovel
• Spray bottle

1. Remove a 6-inch softwood cutting from the tip of a knockout rose tree branch in the winter. Choose a branch that has previous summer growth along with new spring growth, and include some old wood at the base. Cut the wood from the knockout rose tree with a sharp, sterile knife. Cut at an angle, never straight across. Make a V-shaped cut into the wood on both sides of the knockout rose tree.

2. Dip the end of the cutting into a rooting hormone powder. Make sure the powder is evenly distributed. Rhizopon AA is a good choice for knockout roses.

3. Make a propagation mix with one part all-purpose potting soil and one part perlite. Place the dipped end of the cutting in a small pot filled with the mix. Use a spray bottle to keep the mix moist for four to six weeks.

4. Plant the knockout cutting in your garden once it has an established root (four to six weeks). Knockout rose trees grow well in most climates and soil conditions.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the softwood cuttings during the cool part of the day. Place them in a plastic bag and keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to propagate.
• Do not attempt to remove a cutting with a dull knife. Do not let your knockout rose cuttings dry out.

References

• How to Propagate Knockout Roses the Easy Way

[ldmontey]

on 12/1/2009 Propagating a Knockout rose tree may be "simple," but it's also illegal. This plant is patented.