Growing Roses from Cuttings

Ever wonder if you could root and grow roses from a branch of your favorite rose bush? Roses actually root rather easily. However most roses are grafted onto the rootstock of a different kind of rose, for strength, disease resistance or hardiness and even if you get something resembling the parent rose you took your cutting from, it might not have that rose's hardiness.

How about trying to root a cut rose from a bouquet? These are harder to root, since they've been grown in controlled environments. And cut roses that have been sitting in water have already expended a lot of energy in blooming. There's also still the grafting dilemma. There's no guarantee your rose will thrive, even it if does root.

That said, you have nothing to lose by trying.

Here's what you'll need:

Rose Cuttings
Pruners
Rooting Hormone (available in most garden centers)
Container with Sand or a Soil-less Potting Mix
Plastic Bag (to cover the container)
Water

Plant Wisely

Now there's no sense in carefully selecting and buying roses and then not planting them where they have the greatest chance of success. Roses are among the most widely adaptable and resilient of plants, yet to do their best a well-chosen site will make a great deal of difference.

Light
Roses need 8 or 10 hours of direct sun each day. Morning sun is essential, but light afternoon shade is tolerated and even beneficial in hot climates.
Air
Good air movement helps the dew and rain to dry quickly, thus discouraging disease. Too much wind, however, can damage foliage in the summer and canes in the winter. Protect rose plantings in windy areas by shielding with a building, wall, fence, windbreak, or hedge.
Drainage
Wet feet, especially in the winter, will be the death of roses. To check, dig a hole 18 inches deep and fill with water; it should empty within several hours. If another site is not available, improve drainage with tiling or raised beds.
Soil
Very few of us have the perfect loamy soil garden books so often recommended. Luckily, roses are tolerant, and all soil types can be readily improved with organic matter. Peat moss is most commonly available, but other excellent choices include compost, leaf mold, dehydrated cow manure, or shredded bark. Also, remove any large rocks down 18 to 24 inches deep.
Competition and hazards
Don't plant roses too near large trees or shrubs that will compete for light, water, and nutrients. Also avoid planting under eaves or gutters where bushes may be damaged by falling water, snow, or ice.
Access
Grow roses where you will see them every day. Not only will you enjoy them to their fullest, but you'll also take the best care of them. You'll notice the first sign of pests and be able to treat them effectively. Pruning and feeding won't be forgotten or ignored easily, either. Having water handy is a big help, too, as you don't want to be dragging miles of hose.

Successfully grown rose bushes will reward you year after year with their beautiful flowers. Carefully selecting, buying, choosing a site, and planting will go far in ensuring continued pleasure. The proper planting of roses (Also consult the American Rose Society: Planting) requires neither great gardening skill nor experience. Simply use a little common sense in your choice of location, follow the steps as outlined, and you will have given your roses as good a start in life as could be desired.

PLANTING BARE ROOT ROSES

When those new roses arrive in late January or early February, the planting site should be ready. Listed below are the five basic steps to follow when planting that new bare root rose.

Dig hole big enough to spread entire root system out -- this would be about 20 inches square. Don't crowd roots. Mix soil from the hole with one to two gallons of Vermiculite. Make a mound of the soil mixture in the hole. Next, distribute one cup of Super Phosphate around the base of the mound.
Place the bush on the mound or cone of soil and spread out the roots. Cut the ends of the root tips. This will stimulate the growth of feeder roots. Make sure the bud union is about two inches above ground level.
Fill hole about half full of soil and soak with about two gallons of a root stimulator or starter solution. This will help eliminate any air pockets and stimulate growth of feeder roots.
Fill in with the rest of the soil and again water thoroughly.
Newly planted roses should be stabilized so they don't rock in the wind. Rocking back and forth will not allow the new bush to become established. You can use concrete reinforcing rods, wood stakes or plastic coated metal rods for stabilizing rose bushes.
Mound soil up around canes to prevent them from drying.

PLANTING POTTED ROSES

Dig hole and properly prepare your soil. A good basic planting mixture is 1/3 topsoil, 1/3 sharp sand and 1/3 organic matter (compost, peat moss, manure, etc.); or purchase a good planting mix from your favorite nursery. The size of the hole will vary depending on the size of the container. A square hole 20"x 20" (depth and width) is normally adequate. When a rose is growing in a container, the roots wrap around the pot. A square "hole" permits the roots to spread out and get better established.
At the bottom of the hole put at least _ to 1 cup of Super Phosphate. Unlike planting a bare root rose, a mound is not needed in the planting hole for a potted rose.
Make sure the bud union of the rose is at least 2 inches above ground level . There will be some settling of the bush and you need space for your summer mulch.
Fill in around the rose with your prepared soil. Firm down, not stomp down. Water and let the soil settle. Fill the rest of the hole with the left over prepared soil. Water again with at least I to 2 gallons of water mixed with root stimulator or starter solution.
Dependent on maturity of potted rose, stabilization may or may not be required. Young bushes will normally need some sort of support. You can use concrete reinforcing rods, redwood stakes or plastic coated metal rods for rose stabilization.
You may feed new roses with a diluted feed. Usually, newly prepared soils have adequate nutrients to get the new rose through the first bloom cycle.

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thank you for reading, wish it useful for you, happy gardening and have a nice day