After experimenting for years and consulting friends and other experts the biggest contributing factor to successfully growing roses from cuttings is when to take the cutting from the host plant.

 

The host plant needs to be just ready to bloom, healthy looking and disease and pest free. The reason why the timing is so important is that, like any other living creature, it has different cycles of growth. A rose will grow roots better when it's just trying to open its buds. To test this accurately you need to try the rose's thorns for resistance,

gently push the thorn to its side, if it resists and could easily puncture your skin it won't root well, if the thorn bends easily this is also not ideal. If the thorn suddenly gives way with a slight pop under a small amount of force it's at just the right stage to root most successfully.

 

Now you need to prepare the cutting and its new temporary environment. Use a black plastic container of 4 inches; this will help retain heat and moisture best. Use a potting mix, the different combinations are many, I am blessed with great soil so I only use my own soil with perlite to provide extra drainage, others will use as much as two thirds compost. If you know you have great soil the less additional fertilizer or compost you use the better as the rose will end up a hardier plant and less dependant on supplements.

 

Fill the container two thirds full, place the cut end of the cutting in the middle and gently fill the container with the rest of the mix whilst standing the cutting upright. Please beware this stage needs delicate handling, the part of the cutting that is responsible for growing secondary roots is called the cambium. It is located between the food and fluid conducting layers of the plant, exposed at the cut end and therefore can be easily damaged so do not just force the cutting in the soil to make the hole.

 

Now you need to create a greenhouse effect around the cutting, use a plastic bag or plastic bottle, as long as it retains heat and moisture it's ideal. Mist every couple of days or when the cutting looks dry, this will help it retain water as without any roots it can't suck any up on its own yet.

 

Place in bright but shaded sunlight for about two to three weeks, then remove the, ‘greenhouse'. Continue misting regularly for another week, when the roots start growing through the holes ion the bottom it ready to be transferred to its permanent home.