Question
Propagation of Roses.  My mother passed away a year ago and at the time I wanted to relocate her roses to my home but was told they would die.  Two days ago I approached the new owners and was allowed to take stems from the rose bushes, they are not caring for them at all.  I used a hormone growth on the tips and placed them in my garden adding rose feed (miracle grow) and potting soil.  I give them just a drink of water each morning.  Is it necessary to cover them with plastic as per  your article?  I would appreciate your help as it is important to me to have a piece of my Mom's roses.  Thank you, Sara

Answer
Hi Sara,
Thanx for your question.  No, you don't have to put plastic wrap around them as you are attempting to root them outdoors.  I have rooted rose cuttings in a plain pot of soil with no root hormone and it worked.  I don't know why someone would tell you that the roses would die if you dug them up. The best time to do it would be in the early spring or early fall.  Just make sure you don't cover up the large knob of the plant that is usually sitting right on top of the soil.  This is usually the place where the graft has been made on most hybrid roses and if you cover with soil the host plant will send up its own shoots and smother out the graft.  The host plant is always inferior to the hybrid graft.  I would trim the hole shrub back and then dig it up and move it.  If the people aren't taking care of the shrub, maybe they will let you trim it back and take it this fall?  Good luck with your rose cuttings.  I think they will probably root.  I hope this helps.
Tom