Publisher's Synopsis
Rose Propagation
Despite their reputation for being finicky, most roses are easy to grow and easy to propagate at home. "Propagate" simply means to reproduce a plant easily from a simple cutting. Unlike seeds, which produce very different plants, rooted cuttings produce replicas of their parent. You don't have to be a trained rosarian to reproduce treasured family heirlooms or favorite garden roses.
Cuttings are simply rose stems cut at various stages of maturity. Some plants are very picky about the type of cutting that will root, but roses are fairly forgiving. Rose cuttings can be taken from the new stems of the current year at three stages of growth:
- Softwood cuttings, which root the quickest and easiest, are taken in late spring and early summer, when flexible new stems are just starting to mature. Softwood cuttings are best taken from pencil-size stems beneath rose blooms that have lost their petals.
- Semi-hardwood cuttings are harvested in late summer and early autumn, when new stems have partially matured. Rosehips may have formed where blooms previously appeared on the firm stems by this time.
- Hardwood cuttings, the slowest and most difficult to root, are taken in late fall or early winter, when the year's new stems have matured, hardened and entered dormancy.
This Book covers:
- When to make use of branch and step cuttings
- Temperature requirements for rose propagation
- Water techniques
- When and how to make cut from the main stem
- 7 common mistakes to avoid during rose propagation
When working with softwood cuttings, you have some leeway in how and where you place them to root and grow. However, cuttings should be planted immediately after being taken, so plan ahead of time. Softwood cuttings can be planted directly in a prepared corner of your outdoor garden space, or they can be planted in containers or deep trays. To plant in a garden, select a location with bright but indirect light, so cuttings are not stressed by excessive sun or heat. Northern and eastern exposures are ideal for rooting. Soil should be 4 to 6 inches deep in your new propagation bed and crumble easily. If your soil is heavy, add a small amount of sand to allow new roots to penetrate without much effort. Do you wish to start your rose farming, or want to gain knowledge of rose propagation? Rush now, hit the Add to Cart tab to commence your purchase of this book.
