Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Roses from Cuttings

Propagating roses from cuttings is a rewarding process and an inexpensive way to expand your garden. It’s also a great way to get varieties you may not be able to find at the store. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Gather Your Materials:
- Sharp pruners, scissors, or a knife disinfected with rubbing alcohol.
- A 2.5- to 5-inch-deep pot with good drainage.
- Potting soil.
- Rooting hormone (optional but increases chances of rooting).
- A plastic bag and 2 sticks approximately 6-7 inches tall
Take Cuttings: Cuttings should be 3-6 inches long with at least three nodes (nodes are where leaves emerge from the stem and roots will develop).
Prepare the Cuttings:
- Remove lower leaves and side shoots.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (if using). If purchasing rose cuttings online, re-cut the end, then dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Plant the Cuttings:
~ Fill the pot with the potting soil.
~ Insert the cutting, leaving the top part exposed.
~ Poke holes in the plastic bag. Insert the two sticks into the soil then tent the bag over the sticks to maintain humidity around the cutting.
Care for the Cuttings:
~ Place on a sunny windowsill.
~ Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
~ Wait for roots to form (usually a few weeks to a few months). If the cutting resists from a gentle tug, it has probably rooted.
Transplant:
Once rooted with a few roots that are a few inches long, transplant into individual pots or the garden.