How to Propagate a Climbing Rose

Many climbing roses are hybridized and will not grow true from seed. To produce a rose with the same characteristics as the parent you can use vegetative propagation. Rooting cuttings is a fairly easy way to reproduce roses that are vigorous growers. Putting cuttings in a bed for rooting is called "sticking". Climbing roses can be rooted at any time of the year in mild climates. In cold climates late summer or fall are the recommended times.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife or pruning shears
• Container with lid
• Wet paper towels
• Bleach
• Rooting hormone
• Transplanting soil mix
• Vermiculite (optional)
• Sphagnum peat moss (optional)
• Compost (optional)
• Pots
• Small stakes
• Plastic film
• Misting spray bottle

Instructions

Taking Cuttings

1. Put a disinfectant into your bucket to use dip your knife or shears in between cuts.

2. Take cuttings from the ends of stems that have just stopped blooming. Always use vigorous healthy canes. Never take cuttings from diseased or wilted canes or canes with feeding insects or insect damage.

3. Cut off the flower head and remove the stem under the flower down to the first set of leaves. Cut the stem off the cane with a clean 45 degree cut 8 inches below your upper set of leaves.

4. Wrap the cutting in moist paper toweling and put it in your container. Cuttings can also be stood in a half inch to an inch of water in a bucket with a cover.Take only as many cuttings as you can use immediately.

Sticking Cuttings

1. Prepare a propagation tray or pots with sterile commercial transplanting mix or make your own from 1 part vermiculite, 1 part sphagnum peat moss and 1 part compost. Moisten the soil mix and make evenly spaced holes 4 inches apart.

2. Scrape a bit of the bark off the bottoms of your cuttings. Do not cut into the wood. Remove lower leaves but leave top foliage on.

3. Dip the cuttings into rooting hormone so the scraped areas are covered and tap off excess. Insert the cuttings into the holes in the soil mix and firm it around them.

4. Insert stakes into the containers and cover them with clear plastic film. Make a 1 inch slash in the top of the film for air circulation.

5. Put the cuttings in bright light or use a fluorescent light 6 inches above the plastic film. Avoid putting cuttings in direct sunlight where they may overheat or sunburn.

6. Check the soil moisture often and mist the cuttings up to twice a day. Lift the covering on the containers if beads of moisture form, and let the excess evaporate. Check for roots after six weeks by gently tugging the stems.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a heated propagation tray with a cover and a mist system with a timer for best results.

• Layering is easy to do but branches have to be removed from the climbing support and laid on the ground to use this method.

• Clear plastic bags and chopsticks can be used for container covers and supports.

• Never allow the transplanting media to dry out. It should remain moist but not soggy.

• Rooting can take up to a month for most roses. Don't become impatient and pull the cuttings out after a couple of weeks.

• Be careful when using old aquariums for plant containers since they can hold too much moisture in the soil mix and cause damping off.

References

• Mississippi State University Extension: Rose Propagation
• Texas A&M University: Propagating Roses from Cuttings
• University of California Davis Extension: Propagating Roses by Cuttings

Resources

• Florida State Horticulture Society: Grafting Leafy Stem Cuttings
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Propagation of Woody Ornamentals
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Propagation of Landscape Plants