Rose Propagation
- Take a cutting from a fairly young cane coming from the bud eye along the main cane. Just after a new cane flowers this is a good time to take your cutting. The diameter should be the width of a pencil. The best time to do this is late spring or early summer.
- After you remove the small cane from the plant, cut the bottom off at a very sharp angle, so that the cut is as close to the bud as you can get. (Use very sharp pruners)
- With a razor blade score the bark vertically form the bottom for about an inch, on the side of the stick opposite the bud. By doing this, you are encouraging roots to form along the score.
- From the bottom of the cutting, measure up about 6 inches, and be sure to leave 2 to 3 sets of 5 leaflets. Cut off the top of the stick, this would be 1/4 inch above the eye.
- Dip the bottom in a root tone (hormone).
- Now take the dipped cutting and place in a small peat pot filled with wet sterile potting soil. Position so it is supported by the soil. Tap and pat it down.
- You can now place the cutting in the pot in a protective misting tent. This will build up humidity. Mist and check every so often so it does not dry up.
- This should be placed so the bag gets morning sun and afternoon sun but not midday sun. The northside of the house would be good. Misting is important. If the leaves fall out within the first week or so you will probably have to start over again. However, if the leaves fall off after 3 weeks you probably are ok. Later you can mist with a nitrogen fertilizer on the leaves (like Miracle grow or Peters) This will stimulate growth around the bud eye. A cutting should root in about a month, there should be white roots as a result.
- Plant in a 6-inch pot, and try to harden off the plant (regular growing conditions. No bag. Do not let the soil dry out, but neither should you keep it soggy.
- You are almost there. As a result there should be lots of new leaf growth. Plant normally outside and treat like your regular roses.