Cultivating Beauty: Propagating Old Roses from Hardwood Cuttings

If you’ve discovered a captivating old rose this summer, you might want to bring a piece of that beauty home. Luckily, propagating old roses through hardwood cuttings is a simple and cost-effective method to expand your collection, especially during the summer. Here’s how:

What You’ll Need:

Pruners or a sharp knife

Optional: Rooting hormone

A pot or tray with good potting mix

Plastic bag or clear dome

Watering can

Steps to Take Hardwood Cuttings from an Old Rose:

Select a healthy stem: Choose a disease-free stem from the parent rose bush that has finished blooming and is beginning to harden off. The stem should be around 8-12 inches long and the thickness of a pencil.

Make the cut: Using pruners or a sharp knife, cut the stem just above a bud at the top and just below a bud at the bottom. Make the cut at a 45-degree angle to increase the rooting surface and aid in identifying the top end.

Prepare the cutting: Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, leaving two or three leaves at the top for photosynthesis. Trim large top leaves in half to minimize evaporation.

Optional: Apply rooting hormone: Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone to promote root growth. Remove any excess hormone by tapping it off.

Plant the cutting: Fill a pot or tray with well-draining potting mix. Create a hole using your finger or a pencil, then insert the cutting with the cut end (if using rooting hormone) in the hole. Firmly pack the soil around the cutting.

Provide suitable conditions: Place the pot in a location with indirect light, avoiding the hot afternoon sun to prevent drying out. Water the cutting thoroughly and cover the pot with a plastic bag or clear dome to create a mini greenhouse that maintains high humidity.

Be patient: Regularly check the cutting to ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Condensation inside the plastic cover indicates appropriate humidity levels. After 4-6 weeks, test for root development by gently tugging the cutting. If there is resistance, roots are likely forming. Remove the plastic cover and gradually acclimate the new plant to the outdoor environment.

Transplant the new rose: Once the new rose has a strong root system and is actively growing, transplant it into a larger pot or directly into the garden.

In conclusion, propagating old roses through hardwood cuttings is a rewarding way to share the beauty and resilience of these flowers. While it requires patience, witnessing the growth of new roses is a thrilling experience.