Propagating Roses by cuttings is easy. Some say the secret of success is the humble potato! Before planting rose cuttings, push the bottom end into a small potato, which keeps the cuttings moist as they develop roots. It sounds crazy, but apparently it works really well.
Instructions
- Cut a piece of rose bush stem 6 to 8 inches long with a sharp, clean knife or pruning shears. This should be done in winter when the blooms have wilted and hips are forming. If collecting multiple cuttings, keep them in the shade until you are ready to begin the next step.
- Cut off the spent blooms, hips and lower leaves. Do not cut the nodes, or eyes, above the leaves.
- Fill the nursery pot 1/3 full with potting soil and place on a plate or drainage pan.
- Punch a hole 3 inches deep into a healthy potato using a screwdriver.
- Insert the bottom end of the cutting into the potato hole.
- Place inside the nursery pot and cover with soil so that about 3 inches of the cutting sticks out.
- Place in indirect sunlight and keep surrounding soil moist but well drained for two months. Transplant into a permanent place outdoors in the spring.
