Whilst it is easy enough to purchase fully grown rose bushes from a range of nurseries, it can prove to be a little expensive in the long run. It is far more rewarding and certainly cheaper to grow your own roses from cuttings that you take from your own rose bushes or those of friends. However, being successful at cultivating roses from cuttings requires some patience and following the guidelines listed below, accurately.

Preparing Your Tools

It’s important to always ensure your tools are clean and sterile to prevent bacteria and diseases spreading between plants. Make sure that you wash all your plant pots, water containers, cutting shears and any other tools in water to which you’ve added some bleach. Dry the tools before using them again.
Prepare your pots for planting the rose cuttings by filling them up with good quality potting soil. The soil should be light and fast-draining but still have sufficient organic matter to ensure that it stays moist. Your pot should have holes at the bottom to allow the water to drain. It’s a good idea to place a small layer of stones at the bottom of each pot to assist drainage.

Selecting the Right Cutting Stem

Next, you need to select the right part of the rose bush to use as a cutting and also ensure that your timing is right. Ideally, you want to take cuttings from roses early in summer when the first buds have already started to open. At this time the plant is growing vigorously and has the best growing potential. You want to look for healthy canes that aren’t yet fully mature but aren’t brand new either and that come from the upper or side parts of the plant. We’ve learnt that taking cuttings from the centre of the plant is not as successful.

The stem or cane you select should be four to six inches long, with at least two or three leaves still attached. Stems with fading flowers are ideal, if the stem has a very young flower bud on it then it is too young. Another trick to use to test whether it is the right stem is to push your thumb against the green thorns on the stem. If the thorns bend against the pressure and stay on the stem then it is too green to use. However if they pop off then the stem is mature enough to be used as a cutting. On the other hand, if the thorn simply pricks you and doesn’t come off the stem easily then that cane is far too mature and woody to use.

Preparing for Taking a Cutting

It’s a good idea to spray the selected stem with an anti-desiccant spray before you cut it. You can buy these sprays at most nurseries. Allow the stem to dry before you make the cutting. Cutting is also best done in the early morning as the plant is the least stressed then.

With sharp pruning shears cut the stem at a 45 degree angle to maximize the rooting area. Try to cut the stem just below a leaf node as this enhances the rooting potential. Cut any flowers or buds off the stem and also remove any lower leaves. Cut the remaining leaves in half to reduce moisture loss through transpiration.

Planting Your Cutting

It’s not absolutely necessary to use a rooting hormone powder, but it will improve your success rate. If you have some, dip the bottom two inches of the cutting into the powder before you plant it. Then use a stick to make a small hole in the potting mixture for the stem to fit into and gently place the cutting in the pot.

If you have a greenhouse, then you can place your pots on a heated mat in the greenhouse. The warmth encourages root growth, but don’t overheat them. If you don’t have a greenhouse, don’t worry, you can simply cover the pot with a glass jar or even wrap the whole pot in a large, clear plastic bag. This will simulate the greenhouse effect and ensure high humidity levels and warmth.

It’s important to place your roses in bright light.
You need to keep the soil around the cuttings moist (but not completely sodden). Spray the cuttings with a spray bottle using lukewarm not cold water.
In about three or four weeks, roots will appear and you will also see that the stems will lengthen and leaves sprout on them. Leave them in their initial containers until the roots are about 3cm in length. We suggest waiting till at least 3 weeks after you notice growth to repot them. Then you should slowly �harden� these young bushes before you consider planting them outside.

Finally though you will have wonderful new rose bushes to enhance your garden.