| my mother has a rose plant,and i would like to know if it is possible to grow my own plant from a piece of her plant. thank you |
| It is possible to root a rose cutting. Here is one method: First find a healthy stem tip that's the right age and size. A good one will snap when you try to break it off. You will need a stem tip with six sets of leaves on it. Remove it with a clean cut using a sharp tool. Once you have the cutting with six sets of leaves, remove the two bottom sets of leaves. Then cut off the tip of the stem just below the second set of leaves from the top. Now you have a short slip with only two sets of leaves. At this stage, some gardeners routinely treat rose cuttings with willow water (made by soaking pieces of willow branch in water) or commercial rooting hormone to stimulate rooting, but it is not strictly necessary to do so. Next you simply stick the stem piece into the soil up to the leaves. (Be sure it is right side up!) Firm the soil, water it lightly and cover it with a large glass jar pushed securely into the soil. Usually the moisture condensing inside the jar is sufficient to keep the cutting watered, and new shoots appear in about a month. Don't take the jar off until the cutting has enough roots to support itself. (This may take the entire growing season.) The most important part of the process is selecting the planting spot. You will need a well prepared planting bed well amended with organic matter and a location in morning sun or partial shade as the cutting should be protected from hot afternoon sun. Alternatively, you might try sticking the cutting in a pot and enclosing the whole thing in a clear plastic bag. In this case, the pot should be kept in very bright but indirect light. Good luck with your project! |
