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How to start rose from cutting


Rooting Roses: Growing Roses From Cuttings

Roses

By: Stan V. Griep, American Rose Society Consulting Master Rosarian, Rocky Mountain District

One way to propagate roses is from rose cuttings taken from the rose bush one desires to have more of. Keep in mind that some rose bushes may still be protected under patent rights and thus, are not to be propagated by anyone other than the patent holder. Keep reading to learn more about how to root roses.

The best time to take rose cuttings and rooting roses is in the cooler months, perhaps starting in September, as the success rate is higher for home gardeners at this time. The rose cuttings that one is going to try to root are best taken from the stems of the rose bush that have just flowered and are about to be deadheaded.

The rose cutting should be 6 to 8 inches (15-20.5 cm.) in length, measuring down the stem from the base of the bloom. I recommend keeping a jar or can of water handy so that the fresh cuttings may be placed directly into the water after making the cutting. Always use sharp, clean pruners to take the cuttings.

The planting site for growing roses from cuttings should be one where they will get good exposure from the morning sun yet be shielded from the hot afternoon sun. The soil in the planting site should be well-tilled, loose soil, with good drainage.

To start rose bushes from cuttings, once the rose cuttings have been taken and brought to the planting site, take out a single cutting and remove the lower leaves only. Make a small slit with a sharp knife on one or two sides of the lower portion of the cutting, not a deep cut but just enough to penetrate the outer layer of the cutting. Dip the lower portion of the cutting into a rooting hormone powder.

The next step when you grow roses from cuttings is to use a pencil or metal probe and push down into the planting site soil to make a hole that is deep enough to plant the cutting up to about 50 percent of its overall length. Place the cutting that has been dipped into the rooting hormone into this hole. Lightly push the soil in around the cutting to finish the planting. Do the same thing for each cutting keeping them at least 8 inches (20.5 cm.) apart. Label each row of rose cuttings with the name of the mother rose bush it was taken from.

Place a jar over each cutting to form a sort of miniature greenhouse for each cutting. It is extremely important that the soil moisture for the cuttings does not dry out at this rooting time. The jar will help to hold humidity in but can be a problem if it is subjected to a lot of hot afternoon sun, as it will overheat the cutting and kill it, thus the need for shielding against the exposure to the hot afternoon sun when you root roses. Watering of the planting site every other day may be required to keep the soil moist but do not create a standing water or muddy soil situation.

Once the new roses have taken root well and have begun to grow, they may be moved to their permanent locations in your rose beds or gardens. The new rose bushes will be small but usually grow fairly quickly. The new rose bushes must be well protected against the hard winter freezes in their first year as well as extreme heat stress conditions.

Please keep in mind that many rose bushes are grafted rose bushes. This means that the bottom part is a hardier rootstock that will withstand cold and heat better than the top and more desired part of the rose bush. Starting a rose bush from cuttings places the new rose bush on its own roots, so it may not be as hardy in cold climates or in extreme heat conditions climates. Being on its own root system can cause the new rose bush to be far less hardy than its mother rose bush.

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How to Propagate Roses From Stem Cuttings

By

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 10/18/22

Reviewed by

Julie Thompson-Adolf

Reviewed by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author. She has 30+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening; seed starting and saving; growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals; and sustainable and urban farming.

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The Spruce / Claire Cohen

In This Article

Project Overview

Propagating herbaceous plants is often done by rooting green stem cuttings, but the process can also be successful with woody-stemmed plants, including some roses. Rooting stem cuttings of roses and other woody plants works best with so-called "wild" or "native" pure species, rather than hybrid shrubs. That's because many hybrids are created through a grafting process in which branches from showy but delicate species are melded onto rootstock from a sturdier species.

The result of grafting can be a spectacular plant with exceptional root hardiness. But if you propagate a new plant from a branch clipping, it will lack the parent plant's root hardiness. Thus, it's best to use stem clippings only to propagate non-grafted roses, which include many so-called shrub roses.

The stem clipping method is a bit tricky with woody plants, and you should expect that several attempts will end in failure. Take extra cuttings to ensure you have at least a few viable prospects. Still, if you take your cuttings from a healthy rose plant and follow the proper steps to root them, your odds of developing new plants will be high.

What Is a Shrub Rose?

The term "shrub rose" is defined by the American Rose Society (ARS) as “a class of hardy, easy-care plants that encompass bushy roses that do not fit in any other category of rose bush. ” Many people use the term to refer to any type of non-hybrid rose, but there are several types of hybrid roses that do fit into the ARS's definition of shrub roses, including Moyesi hybrids, hybrid musk roses, Kordesii roses, English roses, and Knock Out roses. These join the many native rose species to form the category of shrub roses. However, any of these hybrid roses described as an "own-root" rose rather than a grafted rose may lend itself to successful propagation from stem cuttings.

When to Propagate a Rose by Stem Cuttings

Rooting a stem cutting can be done almost any time, but cuttings taken from new growth that has recently flowered (rather than old, hardened wood) are more likely to root successfully. Spring or fall is the best time to take softwood stem cuttings. Select them in the early morning hours when the plant is well hydrated. Moreover, avoid taking cuttings when your plant is heavily blooming. At this time, the plant is putting most of its energy into flower production rather than root development, so cuttings won't readily root.

Before Getting Started

Sharp pruners are necessary when taking rose cuttings. Dull tools can crush the rose's woody stems instead of forming a clean slice, which can make the cutting susceptible to fungal rot. Furthermore, make sure to clean your pruners before and after each cutting to avoid transmitting any diseases. 

Be patient when growing roses from cuttings. It can take several years for your new rose to produce flowers.

Click Play to Learn How to Grow Roses From Cuttings

Equipment / Tools

Materials

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

  1. Take Cuttings

    Start by taking a 12-inch segment of a new stem that has recently bloomed, cutting it from the plant at a 45-degree angle.  The stem should be about the width of a pencil. The best cuttings for rooting usually come from the sides of the bush, rather than the center.

    Remove any flowers or flower buds along the cut stem. Flowers or buds on the cut branch will consume energy, and you want to encourage the stem to refocus its survival energy on sending out new roots. If you're taking multiple cuttings, place them in a container of water to keep them hydrated until you're ready to propagate them.

    The Spruce / Claire Cohen

  2. Remove Most Leaves

    Remove all but the top two sets of leaves on the stem. Then, cut off the remaining portion of the stem just above this top set of leaves. Removing the excess leaves will help the cutting divert its energy to root production.

  3. Prepare the Stem for Rooting

    Using sharp pruning shears, make a fresh cut on the bottom of the stem just below a stem node (a bump where new growth typically forms). Then, slice into the bottom of the stem about a 1/4 inch up, splitting the stem into open quarters.

    Apply Rooting Hormone

    Although not absolutely necessary, applying a rooting hormone can help spur your rose plant into developing new roots. Rooting hormones can be found in powder, liquid, and gel form—you'll have the best success with the powder version when working with roses. To apply, slightly moisten the split end of the rose cutting, and then dip it into the powdered rooting hormone. Shake off any excess.

  4. Plant the Cutting

    Fill a small pot with at least 6 inches of a potting mix formulated especially for roses. Poke a hole in the potting medium, and then insert the stem sliced-side down, taking care not to rub off the rooting hormone. Gently pack the soil around the stem, and water well. 

    The Spruce / Claire Cohen

  5. Cover the Cutting

    Loosely cover the cutting, pot and all, with a plastic bag or plastic wrap to help retain soil moisture. Be sure not to let the plastic touch any remaining leaves on the stem, which can cause them to remain wet and susceptible to fungal disease. Putting a tall stake into the pot can help hold the plastic away from the leaves. The bag also needs to be slightly vented, so condensation can escape—if you seal the bag too tightly, the stem can rot.  Place the cutting under grow lights or near a bright window.

  6. Monitor the Cutting

    Keep the soil moist until roots begin to form, which usually takes about two weeks. Check for roots by gently tugging on the stem—if there's resistance, roots are probably present.

    Your cutting can be transplanted into a pot or the ground as soon as the roots are firmly established or when new leaf sprouts begin to appear along the stem. Make sure to harden off the new rose—i.e., gradually expose it to outdoor conditions—before planting outside.

    The Spruce / Claire Cohen

How to Prepare for Rose Bloom Season

How to properly cut a rose? Video — Botanichka

In summer, climbing roses grow into huge blooming "creepers-trees". In late June-July, they are covered with foam from fluffy inflorescences. Such splendor cannot but please the eye. But how to make new bushes of these beautiful roses appear in the garden? Very simple - propagate your favorite varieties with cuttings.

How to cut a rose correctly?

Do you want to know how to do it right? Then welcome to the Botanichka channel. Watch the video on cutting roses. And you will definitely succeed in creating a beautiful rose garden - a real decoration of any garden. After all, as you know, there are never too many roses. nine0003

When can cuttings be started?

July is the best time to propagate roses from cuttings. The bushes have already completely covered with foliage and put up new shoots. Young growth is an excellent material for cutting cuttings and rooting them.

What are the benefits of cuttings?

List of the main advantages of this type of rose propagation:

Cuttings have only one minus - difficult first wintering. But we will correct this shortcoming. Plants need to be covered properly. In this case, they will overwinter without much difficulty, and in the spring you will be happy to see that you have become the owners of roses that you yourself have grown.

Rose cuttings: a step-by-step workshop

Start cuttings early in the morning. At this time, the roses managed to gain maximum moisture. Do not choose old stems that are larger than 5mm in diameter. Too thin layering will also not work. Such material will take root poorly and will not give good results. How to distinguish old shoots from new ones? Not so difficult. Try to break off some spikes. If they separate well, then the shoot is suitable for slicing. nine0003

Cutting roses

Cut out the middle part of the stem. Leave 3-4 healthy kidneys. The cut should be smooth and even. Therefore, use pruners with sharp blades. It will not pinch or tear the stem fibers. Before cutting, treat the secateurs with a disinfectant - alcohol or potassium permanganate. So you prevent the transfer of diseases from one plant to another.

If you want to prepare cuttings from other types of roses, choose the part of the shoot located at the base. The cut handle should also have 3-4 buds pointing in different directions. nine0003 Cutting cuttings for climbing roses

Step-by-step instructions for cutting roses

Cutting material should be planted immediately. Long-term storage of cut shoots in the fresh air is undesirable. They will dry out and the rose propagation work will be wasted.

  1. Cut off the bud at the top of the shoot. Yes, branches with buds and flowers are also suitable for cuttings.
  2. From below we make a cut at an acute angle. We retreat from the lower kidney 2-3 cm and cut off the shoot under it. Be sure to leave the bottom kidney. It is a source of nutrition for the cutting. nine0016
  3. The upper cut is made no more than 1 cm above the kidney. It can be flat or at an angle. In this case, this will not affect the survival rate of the cutting.
  4. Remove the bottom 1-2 sheets completely. The next 1-2 sheets are cut into ½ pieces. This will retain more moisture. If desired, you can carefully break off the spikes.
  5. We fill containers with a volume of 200-250 ml with fertile and loose soil. For these purposes, specialized land for roses is suitable. You can also make your own nutrient mix. Take 2 parts of black soil and 1 part of turf, compost and coarse river sand. Do not add manure. It can cause cuttings to rot. nine0016
  6. We process the lower part of the handle with a root-stimulating preparation. For example, you can take "Heteroauxin", "Kornevin" and others. Lower the shoot into the root simulator and proceed to landing.
  7. We make small holes in the soil and plant the cuttings at an inclination of about 45 °. This landing allows you to increase the area of ​​​​contact of the shoot with the ground. The likelihood of successful rooting increases many times over.
  8. Cuttings are buried in the ground for 1-2 buds. Deeper landing is undesirable. It will slow down the formation of roots. nine0016
  9. Lightly compact the soil around the cutting and carefully pour the soil into the pots.
  10. We make a "greenhouse" - we cover containers with plantings with plastic bags.
We fill containers with a volume of 200-250 ml with fertile and loose soil. We process the lower part of the cutting with a root-stimulating preparation. We make small holes in the soil and plant the cuttings at an inclination of about 45 °. Lightly compact the earth around the cutting and carefully spill the earth in pots. We make a "greenhouse" - we cover containers with plantings with plastic bags

Microclimate for cuttings

After planting the cuttings need to organize the right microclimate. It will not be difficult to create it, but it will depend on how successful the cuttings will be. Provide your plants with the following conditions:

Watering . The soil should not be allowed to dry out too much. Water the seedlings as the topsoil dries out. Waterlogging is also detrimental to cuttings. They will start to rot and become moldy.

Ventilation . Make small holes in the bags that cover the cuttings. This will ensure good air circulation.

Temperature . Cold and heat are equally harmful to rose seedlings. The optimum air temperature under the shelter should be +23°С-+25°С.

Lighting . Without access to light, rooting cuttings is impossible. But if the weather is very hot, then the pots with seedlings must be shaded. This measure will prevent overheating of the planting material.

If the weather permits, leave the pots outside in partial shade. Under bad climatic conditions, you can transfer the containers to the greenhouse. But in this case it is better to attach them somewhere closer to the entrance. nine0003

If you follow all the recommendations from this video, in just 2-3 weeks the seedlings will take root and the first leaves and shoots will appear. This will be a sign that the cuttings have taken root safely and can be planted in flower beds.

How to successfully grow roses from cuttings: all the secrets of rooting

Cuttings are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to propagate roses. If you haven't done it yet, now is the time to try it.

Anna Zalesskaya nine0003

Legion-Media. ru

In general, growing roses from cuttings is a simple process. Whenever you prune rose bushes or cut off dead flowers, changes occur in the removed stem that stimulate root formation. If you have a variety that grows and blooms well in the area, rooting cuttings is a great way to propagate shrubs around the garden. The resulting plant will exactly repeat the parent, and every year there will be more flowers. If you want variety, you can exchange cuttings with your neighbors. nine0003

Contents of the article

Cuttings of miniature, semi-climbing, climbing and polyanthus roses, as well as floribunda roses, are best rooted. It is more difficult to propagate hybrid tea by cuttings, since after rooting they develop very slowly, but you can also try. Moreover, this process is not only simple, but also very exciting.

What do you need for cuttings?

The best time for rose cuttings

Rose cuttings can be successfully rooted at any time, even in winter, but +20-25 degrees C weather is best, that is, during the entire summer season.

10 Steps to Growing Roses from Cuttings

#1 Water the day before pruning

Well-drained roses root better. If you are going to cut the cuttings, water the roses the day before cutting.

No. 2 Cut the cuttings

For cuttings, use one-year, semi-lignified, pencil-thick shoots: thin or old strong shoots will not work for rooting. Cut the stems just below the buds that are about to open, or better yet, the stems below the flowers that have already begun to shed their petals. Try to cut cuttings 10-20 cm long, with 3-5 internodes. (Those places where leaves are attached to the stem are called nodes, and the stem segments between them are called internodes). The bottom cut should be about 0.5 cm below the last internode, and the cut at the top should be about 0.5 cm higher. nine0003

Make the bottom cut at an angle and the top cut straight.

No. 3 Place the cuttings in water

After cutting, immediately place the cuttings in a container of water, away from direct sunlight. If the cutting needs to be stored for a while, wrap it in damp paper towels and place it in the refrigerator.

No. 4 Freshen the bottom cut of the cutting

The rooting process is part of the rose's reaction to the wound, to intensify it, you can cut off the green skin at the base of the cutting with a knife, and then repeat the procedure a couple more times. If the cutting has large spines, tearing them off the base also stimulates the process of root formation. nine0003

No. 5 Place the cuttings in the root former

If you use the root, apply it to the lower part of the cuttings, approximately 5 cm.

No. 6 Remove flowers and most of the leaves

Cut off the flower bud or wilted flower and all but one or two top leaves. Cut the bud from the lower internode to encourage root growth. nine0003

No. 7 Place the cuttings in the prepared soil

Stick the rose cuttings about 5 cm into the soil mixture container. Press the soil around the stem and water thoroughly. After that, cover with a lid that will keep moisture inside, and place the container in a place where direct sunlight does not fall, for example, on a shady window sill or on a covered porch.

No. 8 Periodically check cuttings

Remove pot lids a couple of times a week and check cuttings. If you see that some have dried up, just remove them. There is no need to add water unless the soil is completely dry. nine0003

No. 9 Remove cover

Rooting may take a couple of weeks, or it may take a month or two. When you notice that new leaves have appeared or see through the walls of a plastic bottle that new roots have formed, you can remove the lid and start preparing roses for transplanting.

No. 10 Plant rooted cuttings in the garden

Cuttings need 9 to 12 months to grow in a pot for sufficient strength and development. During this time, you can transplant them into a larger pot, use phytolamps for additional illumination, mineral supplements for nutrition, or mycorrhiza, which also stimulates the growth of the root system. nine0003

Is it possible to grow roses from flowers that are sold in flower shops in a bouquet?

If you bought roses from a local nursery that were cut on the same day, it is possible, although there is no guarantee of results.

Learn more