How to Take Rose Cuttings in Late Summer
Introduction
Roses can be easily grown from cuttings, which are pieces of stem that are taken from a healthy rose plant and then rooted in soil or water. Cuttings taken in late summer are called “semi-hardwood cuttings” and are the easiest to root.
Materials You’ll Need
- Rose plant
- Secateurs (pruning shears)
- Rooting hormone (liquid or powder)
- Pots or a narrow trench
- Gritty compost mix (equal parts horticultural grit or perlite and multi-purpose compost)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Choose the Right Stems
Select long, strong, healthy stems from this season’s growth. Avoid old wood.
Step 2: Prepare the Cuttings
Make the cuttings 25cm long, cutting above a bud at the top and below one at the base. Remove all the lower leaves except for one at the top.
Step 3: Dip in Rooting Hormone
Dip the base of the cutting into rooting hormone mixture.
Step 4: Plant the Cuttings
Insert several cuttings into a large pot of gritty compost or a narrow trench bottomed with horticultural grit. Water well and place the pot or trench in a shaded spot.
Step 5: Care for the Cuttings
Keep the compost or soil moist. Once the cuttings have rooted, pot them up individually or carefully fork them out of the trench and plant them out in their final location.
Tips
- Take cuttings from any type of rose you choose.
- Keep the cuttings in a shaded spot until they have rooted.
- Avoid planting roses in soil where roses have been previously grown, as this can lead to rose replant disease.