Rose Cuttings and Clippings
Propagating roses from cuttings is a free, satisfying way to multiply a favorite rose bush, though success rates vary considerably depending on the variety and technique.
Taking a Good Cutting
A healthy, pencil-thick stem from a stem that has just finished flowering roots best, cut at roughly a 45-degree angle to about 6 to 8 inches long. Removing the lower leaves and any remaining flowers or buds directs the cutting's energy toward root development instead.
Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone before planting improves success rates noticeably, though many gardeners have luck without it.
Covering a planted cutting with a clear plastic bag or jar creates a humid mini-greenhouse effect that significantly improves rooting success.
Patience Is Key
Rooting typically takes four to eight weeks, and a gentle tug test — feeling for resistance that indicates roots have formed — is a better indicator of progress than digging up the cutting to check.
