Rose propagation is a very special chapter in itself, because not every type and variety of rose can be propagated in a simple vegetative way. This is quite uncomplicated with the various types of wild roses as well as with climbing roses and some shrub roses. Many bedding and hybrid tea roses, on the other hand, can only be obtained by grafting or grafting, while the propagation of cuttings is extremely laborious and only rarely successful. If you don't carry out a graft yourself or want it done by a specialist, the self-propagated roses are always ungrafted.

Propagating roses is easier than it first appears

Propagation by cuttings

One of the easier ways to propagate roses is by cuttings, which are best cut in August. Cut off two more shoots for each cutting you want, as experience has shown that the success rate is around 30 percent.

  • It is best to use shoots that have just flowered and are about 15 to 20 centimeters long.
  • These should have at least five eyes.
  • Make the cut at a slight angle
  • this makes it easier for the cutting to absorb water later.
  • Remove all but the top pair of leaves.
  • This keeps the evaporation rate as low as possible.
  • Choose sufficiently deep plant pots,
  • which you fill with potting soil or sandy garden soil.
  • Plant the cuttings in there,
  • water them well
  • and put them in a warm and bright place.
  • However, avoid direct sunlight.
  • Now cut off the top end of a plastic bottle
  • and put them over the cuttings as a mini greenhouse.
  • Alternatively, you can also use a disposable glass or something similar.

The rooted young roses can finally be transplanted to their destination in the spring of the following year.

Propagating roses with sticks

Another way of vegetatively propagating roses is through cuttings, which - in contrast to cuttings - are not cut in summer but in late autumn or winter. This is a completely lignified rose shoot from which all the leaves are removed. Sticks should be between 20 and 30 centimeters long.

  • After the leaves fall, cut off a whole, woody rose shoot
  • and remove all side shoots with any leaves and flowers that may still be on them.
  • Now take a box with a tightly closing lid,
  • and fill in there wet sand.
  • The cuttings are carefully packed in the sand so that they do not dry out until they are planted out.
  • Keep them in a cold but frost-free room until spring.
  • As soon as it is warm enough in spring (around March), plant the cuttings in a sand-peat mixture.
  • Alternatively, you can also use potting soil.
  • The rooted cuttings can finally be planted in their final destination in the autumn of the same year.

Use of root suckers for propagation

Many roses, v. a. Climbing roses, self-propagate by root suckers. Of course, you can also use these for propagation, but only with ungrafted rose varieties. Root shoots cannot be used for grafted or grafted roses, as these do not come from the hybrid tea itself, but from its rootstock - which, by the way, are often more robust wild rose species. For this reason, you should always remove root shoots from grafted roses, otherwise the rootstock will gain the upper hand and soon reject the graft. Otherwise, simply prick the root shoots with a spade and pry them out of the ground with a digging shovel. These young plants can be transplanted immediately to the desired location.

Grow rose bush from seed

Wild roses as well as some shrub and hybrid roses can be propagated by seeds, after all these types of roses often develop seed-bearing rose hips - as long as you leave them and don't cut away faded ones right away. Incidentally, some rambler roses can also be reproduced in this way. Proceed as follows when propagating:

  • In the fall, gather the ripe rose hips (these can be recognized by their rich red or orange color).
  • Cut the fruit open and scoop out the flesh along with the seeds.
  • Soak the seeds and pulp in warm water for a few days
  • and thoroughly remove the pulp.
  • Before sowing, rose seeds must be stratified, i.e. H. You keep them in the refrigerator for at least four weeks.
  • To do this, pack the seeds in a can or jar with damp sand.
  • By the way, the vegetable compartment is ideal for storage.
  • The seeds are then sown in potting soil and covered with soil about one centimeter thick.
  • First, the seed is placed cool and moist,
  • the temperature should only rise slowly - just like in nature.
  • The small seedlings with about four to six leaves are transplanted into individual pots.

Many floribunda and bed roses can only be obtained through grafting

In particular, floribunda and bed roses are mainly propagated through grafting. Incidentally, you can also grow roses yourself in this way - although you need a certain instinct for grafting. That is why we have explained these techniques for you in a separate article.

tips

Be careful, you can't just propagate all types of roses yourself! Many rose breeds of recent date are under plant variety protection and you are liable to prosecution for any propagation because you are infringing on copyright.

Category:

Vegetable garden