If you want to propagate your favorite roses this year, you can still do it in August. Rooting stem cuttings of roses works best with so-called “wild” or “native” pure species rather than hybrid shrubs. This is because many hybrids are created through a grafting process in which branches from showy but delicate species are grafted onto the rootstock of a more robust species. The result of grafting can be a spectacular plant with exceptional root hardness. However, this also means that a new plant that you propagate from a cutting does not have the root hardness of the mother plant. We'll show you how to propagate roses from cuttings in August with our step-by-step instructions in this article!
When should you propagate a rose from stem cuttings?
Summer cuttings should come from shoots thathave bloomed, are quite solid and have a length of 10 to 20 centimeters. Rooting cuttings is possible at almost any time, but cuttings from new shoots that have recently flowered (rather than from old, hardened wood) are more likely to root successfully. The best time to take softwood cuttings is spring or fall – choose early in the morning when the plant is well hydrated. Also, avoid taking cuttings if your plant is flowering heavily. At this time, the plant puts most of its energy into flower production rather than root development.
Understanding Rose Cuttings
You can easily propagate roses from cuttings. Cuttings are simply pieces of rose stems taken at various stages of maturity. Some plants are very picky about rooting cuttings, but roses are quite flexible. Rose cuttings can be taken from the current year's new shoots at three main stages of growth:
- Softwood cuttings, which are quickest and easiest to root, are taken in late spring and early summer when the flexible new shoots are just beginning to mature. Premium softwood cuttings come from pencil-sized shoots beneath rose petals that have shed their petals.
- Semi-hardwood cuttings are taken in late summer and early fall when the new shoots are partially mature. At this time, rose hips can form on the solid shoots where there were previously flowers.
- Hardwood cuttings, which are the slowest and most difficult to root, are taken in late fall or early winter when the year's new shoots have matured, hardened off and gone dormant.
You can improve your success at each stage of growth by treating cuttings with a rooting hormone to stimulate root development and promote growth.
Weather and other factors can affect when softwood is ready for cutting, and southern regions differ greatly from northern growing zones. When choosing the right time, don't rely on a calendar, but rather on your roses - and theirsfaded flowers.
Before you get started, you should get these basic things:
- A clean, sharp knife or pruning shears
- A bucket of warm water to keep the cuttings moist
- Wurzelhormon
- A small bowl for the rooting hormone to dip into
- A small stick or pencil to make planting holes
Follow these simple steps:
- Choose one or more stems between a faded flower and the woody base of the rose. Several cuttings can be taken from one stem.
- Remove the flower and stem tip.Cutat a 45 degree angle directly over the first row of leaves at the top and over the last row of leaves at the bottom of the stem.
- Immediately place the cut stems in water.
Cut each stem into 10 to 20 cm long pieces so that each cutting has four “nodes” – these are the places where the leaves emerge on the stem. Always keep the cuttings moist.
- Remove all but one leaf at the tip of each cutting. This will help the cuttings root and help you measure their progress.
- Pour a small amount of rooting hormone into the tray. Pour only as much as you need and discard the excess when finished.
- Moisten the bottom half of the cutting and dip it in the rooting hormone until it is covered.
- Using a stick or pencil, dig a planting hole 8 to 10 cm deep in your rooting bed or container. The hole should be large enough so that you can insert the cutting without stripping the hormone.
- Insert the cutting into the hole so that its bottom half and at least two nodes are covered, then compact the soil around it.
Care of the new plants
While the cuttings are rooting, keep them covered and moist. In a garden bed, a simple DIY mini greenhouse is the solution. Simply place a cloche, garden cloche, or upside-down mason jar over the cutting. A clear plastic bottle with the bottom cut out and the lid removed also works. Water the soil regularly to keep it moist but not soggy. Your mini greenhouse keeps the humidity inside high. If your cuttingsstand in vessels, simply insert a few decorative branches into the edge for support and place a clear plastic bag over them. Mist and water the cuttings as needed to keep them hydrated and the soil moist. Make sure the plastic bag is not on top of the cuttings.
How long does rooting take?
Most softwood rose cuttings root within 10 to 14 days. To check progress, give the cuttings a gentle tug. You will feel a slight resistance as the new roots form and grow into the soil. A gentle fish or seaweed-based fertilizer provides useful nutrients during this time. Once the roots have formed and the plants are showing vigorous growth, you can transplant your new roses to a permanent location in the garden.
