Gardeners debate whether to root roses in autumn and, if so, how to do it correctly. Most believe that autumn is indeed the best time to grow the flower. To grow a visually pleasing plant from a cutting, it is necessary to know some rules.
One of the most popular methods of propagating this beautiful flower is growing a rose from a cutting. Autumn is the most suitable time for propagating roses, and this activity won't take much of your time. Let's find out how to plant a rose from a cutting.
Timing for Rose Cuttings in Autumn
It is best to take rose cuttings in late autumn, at the end of October or the beginning of November.
At this time, roses are fading and gradually shedding their petals. Pruning is done after the first night frosts and before stable frosts set in. During this period, rose bushes are pruned for winter. These pruned stems are suitable material for cuttings.
Roses can be propagated both in spring and autumn. However, gardeners prefer to do it in autumn. This is because it is easier to see which rose they want to propagate from a flowering bush, making it difficult to confuse it with a non-flowering bush.
The main reason for autumn propagation of roses is that it coincides with autumn pruning.
Over the winter, rose cuttings should root and strengthen, and in spring, they will produce new shoots.
Choosing the Right Rose Variety for Autumn Cuttings
It is believed that the best varieties for cuttings are climbing roses, polyantha roses and their hybrids, miniature roses, and tea-hybrid roses (not just tea roses!). The varieties "Rosalinda" and "Iceberg" also root successfully from cuttings.
Difficulties in propagation may arise with remontant, park, and yellow roses.
Cutting Rose Cuttings
Proper cutting of rose cuttings is done according to a specific algorithm:
- To make a cutting, first remove the lower leaves.
- Leave 3 buds on the cutting.
- Measure 2 cm down from the first lower bud and make an angled cut (the angled cut is made to increase the rooting area and to avoid confusing the top and bottom).
- Above the third bud, measure 1 cm and make a straight cut.
- The cut should be made with a sharp knife or pruner, previously disinfected in a manganese or alcohol solution.
Cuttings should not be broken or left with a jagged edge. It is not recommended to cut with scissors, as they will only crush the stem fibers.
The upper leaves should be left, as they will indicate whether the cutting has taken root or not. The cut cutting should be carefully inspected for any damage or pests.
The stems should be no thinner than 4 mm and no thicker than 6 mm. The length of the cutting should be 17–20 cm.
Proper Treatment of Rose Cuttings
Of course, no one forbids planting a rose directly in prepared soil, but experts recommend first rooting the cuttings in water, believing that this way they will root better:
- Pour a little room temperature water into a small container and add a pinch of Fitospirin.
- Immerse the cutting in the solution with the bottom cut, and only when the roots grow to 1 centimeter, the cutting is planted in the substrate.
- However, long feeding roots cannot be grown in water.
Transplanting Rose Cuttings into Substrate
After rooting the roots in water, the rose can be planted in the soil:
- Fill the pot with a drainage layer and a little soil, plant the cutting in the center of the container, and pour warm water.
- Cover the pot with some kind of container, a plastic or glass jar, to create a greenhouse effect and place it in a warm and sunny spot.
- The planted rose for the garden should be regularly watered, ventilated, and protected from direct ultraviolet rays.
Transplanting Roses into Open Ground
A rooted cutting can be planted in open ground in spring:
- For this, dig a hole 20–30 cm deep in the area, fill it with peat and sand.
- Plant the cutting and loosen the soil around it.
- Water abundantly and cover it for the first time with a plastic or glass container.
Propagating roses in autumn is not such a difficult process if approached responsibly, having studied all the nuances. Any gardener can manage this. With proper pruning, root propagation, and care after transplanting, it will be possible to plant a ready flowering bush in spring and enjoy its beauty.
