Question
My late Mom pinched a 'slip' from the Cecile Brunner of our old home in Portland over 30 years ago.  She took it to her home town 200 miles away, plunked it in the ground and today it stands bushy at 15 feet tall.  My daughter's birthday is in late May and every year since she was a babe (now 32) we decorated her birthday cake with the roses from Grandma's climber.  Sadly, my Mom passed away last May and the estate is now being sold.  My daughter has asked me to 'slip' the rose for her to plant at her home in another state (Oregon).  It was a huge gift after Mom died that the Cecile Brunner bloomed through October!!!  I think she was sending me a loving message ;)  I did not inherit my sweet Mom's green thumb and any advice on when and how to do this would be most welcomed. Thank you so very much.

Answer
Because this is a very important rose, take at least 12 cuttings as some may not take.  China roses usually strike easily but it is always best to be on the safe side with an important rose to make sure, as you may not have the chance to go back and get more cuttings if they don't grow.  Always take the cuttings in the early morning or evening or when the weather is cool really helps. Take the cuttings from a cane that has flowered last year not from a brand new one from this year. Try and look for the dead flower or a rose hip at the end of the cane to be sure it is a year old, as you will have a better chance. Make the cuttings about 8 inches tall from the tip to the cut and remove all leaves except the two at the top ( if there are leaves, if not don't worry). Make the cut at the base of the stem just above a leaf node or bump on the stem. Place them in a plastic bag and put them in the fridge until you are ready to plant them. Then follow the instructions on the site for the baggie or an other method. Always use bought potting soil, never garden soil as the potting soil sold in bags will be bacteria free and sterile. You could try 6 in a bottle and 6 in another method if you want to. The main problem with cuttings dying is because they  get a fungal disease.
If there could be a possibility that you will not be able to get more cuttings, should the ones you have die, take 12 extra 12 inch long cuttings and place them in the crisper in the fridge as that will keep them just above 32' and so they will stay dormant. Then if all fails you can start again. Please get back to me if you have any other questions.

http://scvrs.homestead.com/Cuttings1.html