Here is a super simple and effective method for propagating roses, even from dead or dying stems in your garden.
1. Rose Cutting Propagation: Choose and Prepare Stems
Start by selecting a rose stem from your garden. Cut the stem to the appropriate length, making sure it includes at least a few dormant buds. These are the small bumps near the base of the stem where new growth can emerge.
Expose dormant buds
Gently remove the bud scales using a sharp, clean knife. Carefully peel away the outer protective layer of the dormant bud. This helps stimulate growth by exposing the area where roots are most likely to form.
Section and wound the base
Cut each rose stem into sections approximately 10 cm long. Make sure each segment includes at least one or two healthy buds to ensure successful rooting and new growth. Using a sharp, clean knife, gently scrape a thin layer of bark near the base of the rose stem to signal the plant to begin forming roots.
This small wound is a simple but effective technique to encourage root growth. It improves the chances of successful propagation of your cuttings.
Read More: Spoon Trick Boosts Rose Cutting Roots
2. Rose Cutting Propagation: Seal and Moisture Support
Seal the top with wax
Gently dip the top of the rose stem into melted candle wax. This helps prevent moisture loss from the stem, keeping the cutting hydrated while it develops roots.
Potato moisture and nutrients
Use potatoes for moisture and nutrients. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes, then wrap the raw potato slices around the base of the rose. Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates and moisture, which provide gentle nourishment and help retain humidity around the stem.
For another take on this idea, see potato method.
Potato peel infusion
Reuse potato peels to create a natural infusion. This nutrient-rich liquid can be used to water plants or soak the growing medium, giving your cuttings an extra boost of energy during the early stages of rooting. Pour 300 milliliters of hot water over the potato peels, and let the mixture sit for about one hour to cool completely and release nutrients.
3. Rose Cutting Propagation: Natural Stimulants
Potato gel on buds
Apply a thin layer of potato gel directly onto the dormant buds. This natural treatment stimulates the buds, encouraging them to break dormancy and begin developing.
Wrap the base of the rose stems with thin slices of raw potato. This provides gentle moisture and helps to awaken dormant buds, encouraging them to begin growing.
Cinnamon antifungal solution
Add cinnamon to prevent fungal growth. Take 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and mix it with 300 milliliters of water, then let it steep for 1 hour so it can infuse. After steeping, strain the cinnamon powder and potato peel water to create a filtered solution for hydrating the growing medium and nourishing the rose cutting.
4. Rose Cutting Propagation: Prepare Growing Medium
Soak sphagnum moss
In this method I use sphagnum moss as the growing medium. Soak the moss in the nutrient-rich solution you’ve prepared for 10 minutes so it can absorb the nutrients. This helps the moss retain moisture while providing the essentials for the rose cutting to thrive.
Load into cup and insert cutting
Squeeze out any excess water from the sphagnum moss, then place the moss into a plastic cup. Insert the prepared rose cutting into the cup, ensuring that the dormant buds are positioned outward. This is where new shoots will begin to grow.
5. Rose Cutting Propagation: Create Humid Chamber
Cover and placement
Cover the cup with a lid to create a controlled environment that retains moisture. Place the cup in a cool, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. This ensures the cutting remains protected and conditions stay favourable for root development.
6. Rose Cutting Propagation: Results and Expectations
You should start to see results. The rose cuttings will develop small roots and may even start to sprout new shoots. With this simple natural technique, you can revive old stems and grow healthy, lush roses.
For inspiration from roots to blooms, see see blooms.
Final Thoughts
These steps create a moist, protected environment that supports rooting and bud break. The combination of light wounding, wax sealing, potato moisture, and natural infusions keeps cuttings hydrated and protected. Give it time, keep conditions stable, and enjoy watching new growth emerge.