One of the most incredible things about plants is that every cell has the ability to replicate all parts and functions of the plant. By taking a cutting of a leaf or stem and creating the right conditions, you can create an entirely new plant.
Plant propagation is the method of creating new plants from a variety of sources, such as seeds, cuttings, and bulbs, and can be achieved by taking cuttings, layering, dividing, grafting, and more.
Plants that can be grown by means of cuttings include Rose, Chrysanthemum, Philodendron, Begonia, Cactus, etc.
To propagate a rose, start with a stock or “mother” plant that is firm, in great health, and has plenty of stems. This way, when one is removed, it will not harm the plant.
Roses can form roots at any section of the stem, so don’t worry about being too exact as to where to cut, just make sure there are still some leaves attached. Use a sharp knife or pruners.
For most rose varieties, you won’t have to use hormone preparations. Some roses, though, do not produce enough auxin and are difficult to root; so, many growers apply a hormone preparation to stimulate the production of strong roots.
Successfully propagating plants by cuttings requires maintaining sufficient moisture, both in the soil and in the form of humidity in the air. While working on cuttings, use a spray bottle of water to mist over them and keep them crisp.
Place the rose cuttings in pots of moist sand or potting soil, and then cover them with a plastic bag, or a jar, to maintain high humidity around the cuttings. You can also get creative with a two-liter soft drink bottle – just cut off the top, invert it, and there’s your, small tent or "greenhouse".
Roses root best in bright light but make sure to avoid overheating when using the mini-greenhouse method. Place the cuttings in bright shade to allow rooting without too much heat build-up.
As far as the best season for propagating a rose, cuttings root best in the spring or early summer, when the weather is warm but not scorching hot. The gallicas and some other varieties may root more successfully in the autumn. If you want to propagate at other times of the year, just know that root cuttings may take longer and a smaller percentage of them may take.
In May or early June, some types of roses will produce good roots in as little as two weeks, and, at that time of year, almost any variety can be rooted in three to four weeks. At other times, it may take up to seven or eight weeks.
To tell whether a cutting is rooted, you can tug lightly on it, and if there is resistance, it’s likely because there are roots. You will also see the roots growing out the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, and, cuttings that are actively growing new leaves usually have roots.
Once the cuttings root and you remove them from the rooting area, the next step is hardening-off. For a few days, place the pots in a cool, shady area, since moving them instantly into hot sunshine may damage or even kill the plants. Once the cuttings have a good, healthy root system and new growth comes, move them into brighter light.
Propagating plants, in general, allows many plants to root from just one section of a plant. Some will root in water, but cuttings will develop a better root system when rooted in a soil-less potting mix; you can also use sand or perlite, especially for cuttings that need good drainage and may rot if conditions are too wet.
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