The word propagation means to reproduce, this is a common term used by gardeners in the plant world. Roses can be reproduced or propagated from seed or by cuttings from an existing rose. Both of these methods will work very well when propagating roses.

Seeds are a genetic blend of two plants that mate. Pollen that fertilizes a flower on one plant may not have come from the same plant, it may have come from another. When using the cutting method the rose will be the exact duplicate or copy from which it was taken from.

Using the cutting method is the most common way of propagating roses most home gardener's use. Propagating roses from seed can be done, but it is mostly used by commercial rose growers.

Growing new roses from cuttings

It is best to propagate new roses from cuttings in springtime, when roses are healthy and the weather is not extremely hot. The rose you intend to propagate should have young, tender shoots. Choosing old woody stems do not work or grow well. Find a young stem that does not have a bud on it, if you cannot find one without a bud carefully remove the bud. Using a very sharp knife, cut the young shoot 4 to 6 inches long. Find a clean area in your rose garden site and plant the cutting 1 to 2 inches deep, making sure the flowerbed is free of weeds or other plants. Plan ahead, it needs to be placed where it will permanently stay and not have to be transplanted at a later date, causing shock and killing the cutting. Water the cutting well, place some type of cover over it like a plastic or glass jar. This will act like a greenhouse, keeping the temperature at a higher level at night encouraging better growth. It will also retain moisture and humidity. It is recommended that you start several cuttings due to a low success rate for new or inexperienced growers. This will ensure a better survival rate for your cuttings. 

Checking your cutting every several days is recommended to ensure there is enough moisture in the soil. If you find the soil is dry, water. The new roots on the cutting will not be deep and need to be kept moist. Using a small amount of liquid fertilizer for roses can also help, but is not a requirement. If the temperature reaches 75 degrees or higher during the day remove the covering and replace it at night.

When you see that your new rose is growing, remove the covering and do not replace it. Normal care and maintenance should be followed from this point on.

Seed Propagation

Most people do not know that roses produce seeds like many other flowers. Leaving a spent rose bloom on a bush will produce a round bulb called a "rose hip". A mature rose hip will contain seeds to grow new roses. Botanists use these seeds to develop new varieties or hybrids of roses. There are a number of names for rose hips, including pixie pears, pig noses, rose haw and they are also called the fruit of the rose. Rose hips are edible and have some medicinal value. Rose hips contain more vitamin C than citrus fruit. Rose hips have been used to fight infection like bladder and urinary tract infections. They can reduce stress, strengthen the heart, treat headaches and dizziness. Rose hips are usually steeped in teas and drank. They can also be made into jellies, jams, sauces and syrups. Harvest the hips after the first frost,when they have turned bright red.

Propagating roses takes time and patiences, so learning a little more about it will help. The following web site gives more information and pictures on how to propagate roses.  Visit the web site at: http://scvrs.homestead.com/Cuttings1.html

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