How To Grow Roses From Stem Cuttings | Propagation After Pruning

Roses can be grown in pots or in situ, and even people who live in apartments can have their own as well. Whether for medicinal use or just for decoration, roses are well worth having!

Although roses also have their seeds, they are most easily propagated by cuttings and that's just what we're going to look at in this post. Also check out our educational video where we show how to propagate roses from cuttings step by step.

We did this propagation after pruning our rose bush which was already very big.  You can learn more in our post When, How and Why To Prune Roses. It was after this pruning that we used the cuttings to have more roses without having to buy them. The method is quite simple and we are going to share it below.

Here is how we propagate our roses:

 

Separate The Stems By Size

After pruning, we start by organizing and putting together the stems of similar size. For us it is easiest to separate into 3 sizes: small, medium and large. Stems that are too large can also be cut off, thus obtaining more cuttings for planting.

This task will allow you to better organize the space where each cutting will be cultivated.

 

Define The Growing Space For Each Cutting

Small and medium-sized stems can be placed in appropriately sized pots.

Large and vigorous stems can be cultivated in situ.

 

Planting In a Pot

1. Place some expanded clay in the bottom of the pot.
2. Add good quality soil. It can be garden soil.
3. Before you bury the stem, remove the thorns from the lower part and, with a knife or razor, scrape off the surface layer that protects the stem. This will facilitate the appearance of new roots.
4. Bury the lower part of the stem, tucking it in and smoothing it with soil so that the plant has a stable base.
5. Give a good watering.
6. The pots should be kept in a place sheltered from frost and the plants should be watered every day, if possible twice a day.

 

Planting In Situ

Planting the large stems is similar.

1. Before burying the stem, remove the thorns from the lower part and, with a knife or razor, scrape off the surface layer to promote the development of new roots.
2. Dig a hole in the ground, preferably in a place where there is no frost. If the soil is not rich in nutrients, put some compost in it.
3. Bury the bottom part of the stem, tucking it in and smoothing it with soil so that the plant has a stable base.
4. Give it a good watering. The plants should be watered every day, if possible twice a day.
5. When growing in situ, the distance between plants should be at least 1,20m.

 

What To Do With The Leftover Stems?

If there are any leftover stems, they can be placed in the compost pile.

If the leftover stems are able to regrow and sprout, they can be given to neighbors, friends, or family members who want to have a rose bush.

 

How To Know If The Cultivation Has Worked?

After a week or two, the shoots may already be growing, thus indicating that propagation was a success.

If the cuttings do not give new shoots by the spring, it is likely that they have not rooted. You must keep in mind that not all cuttings will take root, but this is no reason to be discouraged. Roses grow a lot and propagation can continue after pruning the following year.

Happy growing!

 

VIDEO - How To Grow Roses From Stem Cuttings | Propagation After Pruning