Growing a rose from a cutting: how to do it
One of the simple ways to reproduce is cuttings of roses... This method is simple and allows you to get a new plant in a short time. In addition, the bush obtained from the cutting does not require constant care in terms of removing the root growth, since it practically does not form it. In order for the shoot to successfully take root and form a full-fledged plant, it is important to know how to properly grow a rose from a cutting, how to choose and root it, and what time it is best to do it. We will talk about this today.
Not all varieties can be propagated by cuttings. Polyanthus, climbing and some types of hybrid tea roses have the highest survival rate of cuttings, but park and wrinkled varieties take root extremely reluctantly.
When is the best time to root?
The most optimal time for grafting roses is the beginning of summer, when the bush begins to bloom and petals fall. Cuttings cut during this period take root best.
You can also root the cuttings left over after the spring pruning of the bush or cut in the fall, but in this case, you will need to take care to save the plant until the next spring planting in the ground. In addition, even roses from a bouquet lend themselves to rooting, the only thing that needs to be taken into account is that cuttings planted in autumn, spring or winter, grow roots for a long time, require the creation of comfortable conditions and will not always please with a positive result.
How to choose a cutting?
So, we have already decided that summer cuttings take root best. Now let's talk about how to prepare them. For reproduction, you should choose a lignified, already faded, shoot with a diameter of 4 to 6 mm on the bush.
Young green twigs are completely useless for these purposes - they are still too young and have not accumulated a sufficient amount of carbohydrates to help build their own roots.
We harvest cuttings from the selected shoots:
- cut off the top with a faded bud;
- cut the branch into shanks up to 25 cm long, while each of them must have at least 3 live buds, in addition, the upper cut must be straight, and the lower cut obliquely;
- we cut off the lower leaves and cut off half of the leaf plate at the upper leaves;
- dip the bottom cut in powder Kornevin.
The lower part of the cutting, which will be in the soil, can additionally be split - this will accelerate root formation.
Rooting methods for cuttings of roses
The cuttings are prepared, it remains to root them. This can be done in two ways:
- In water. We put the shanks in a small container and pour in some water. We change the water to fresh water every two days. After about a month, the roots will appear and then we plant the roses in the ground, covering for the first time with a cap on top. In this way, ground cover and dwarf roses are best rooted.
- In the soil. Immediately plant the cuttings in pots with nutritious soil, setting them at an angle, and cover with a bag or bottle.
In addition, you can root cuttings of roses in potato tubers or just in plastic bags.Whichever method you choose, for their first wintering, it is best to take roses indoors, since young bushes may not survive the winter outdoors.