Propagate roses without roots - this is how it works

Propagate roses without roots - this is how it works

Propagation by cuttings

One of the easier ways to propagate roses is to multiply them by cuttings, which are best cut in August. Cut two more shoots for each desired cutting, as experience has shown that the success rate is around 30 percent.

  • It is best to use shoots about 15 to 20 centimeters long that have just faded.
  • These should have at least five eyes.
  • Make the cut at a slight angle,
  • this makes it easier for the cutting to absorb water later.
  • Remove all leaves except for the top pair of leaves.
  • This keeps the evaporation rate as low as possible.
  • Choose sufficiently deep plant pots,
  • which you fill with potting soil or sandy garden soil.
  • Plant the cuttings in there,
  • water them well
  • and put it in a warm and bright place.
  • However, avoid direct sunlight.
  • Now cut off the top of a plastic bottle
  • and put it over the cutting as a mini greenhouse.
  • Alternatively, you can also use a disposable glass or something similar.

also read

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The rooted young roses can finally be transplanted to their destination in the spring of the following year.

Propagate roses with cuttings

Another way of vegetative rose propagation is with cuttings, which - in contrast to cuttings - are not cut in summer, but in late autumn or winter. This is a completely woody rose shoot from which all leaves are removed. Timber cuttings should be between 8 and 12 inches long.

  • After the leaves have fallen, cut off a whole, woody rose shoot
  • and remove all side shoots with any leaves and flowers that may still be on them.
  • Now take a box with a well-closable lid,
  • and fill it with moist sand.
  • The cuttings are carefully packed in the sand so that they do not dry out before they are planted out.
  • Keep them in a cold but frost-free room until spring.
  • As soon as it is warm enough in spring (around March), plant the cuttings in a mixture of sand and peat.
  • Alternatively, you can also use potting soil.
  • The rooted cuttings can finally be planted at their final destination in autumn of the same year.

Use of root shoots for propagation

Many roses, especially climbing roses, reproduce themselves by root saplings. You can of course also use these for propagation, but only with true-root rose varieties. Root saplings cannot be used with grafted or grafted roses, as these do not come from the hybrid tea itself, but from its base - which, by the way, are often more robust wild rose species. For this reason, you should always remove root saplings from grafted roses, otherwise the base will gain the upper hand and the grafting will soon be rejected. Otherwise, simply prick off the root saplings with a spade and pry them out of the ground with the help of a digging shovel. These young plants can be transplanted to the desired location right away.

Pulling a rose bush from seeds

Wild roses as well as some shrub and hybrid tea roses can be propagated by seeds, after all, these types of roses often develop rose hips that contain seeds - if you let them and not cut away what has faded. Incidentally, some rambler roses can also be reproduced in this way. Proceed as follows to propagate:

  • In the fall, collect the ripe rose hips (they can be recognized by their rich red or orange color).
  • Cut the fruit open and remove the pulp and seeds.
  • Soak the seeds and pulp in warm water for a few days
  • and remove the pulp thoroughly.
  • Before sowing, the rose seeds must be stratified, that is, you keep them in the refrigerator for at least four weeks.
  • To do this, pack the seeds in a jar or jar with damp sand.
  • The vegetable compartment is also ideal for storage.
  • Then the seeds are sown in potting soil and covered with soil about one centimeter thick.
  • First the seeds are placed in a cool and moist place,
  • the temperature should only rise slowly - just like in nature.
  • The small seedlings with around four to six leaflets are transplanted into individual pots.

Many noble and bed roses can only be obtained through grafting

Edel and bed roses in particular are propagated primarily through grafting. In this way, you can also grow your own roses - however, you need a certain instinct for the inoculation or grafting. That is why we have explained these techniques for you in a separate article.

Tips

Be careful, you are not allowed to propagate all types of roses yourself! Many newer rose cultivars are under plant variety protection and you are liable to prosecution if you multiply them because you violate the copyright.