I was given some beautiful white roses. 6 or 8 weeks later and the roses are finally starting to go very slightly brown but the stems are green and they are still sprouting and growing leaves. Is there any chance of sprouting roots and planting in a pot and how do I encourage them to do this? I am not a gardener and don't have the first idea idea but clearly these roses want to live on!!

Hi & welcome! Is it a bouquet of cut flowers? You could snip a little more off of the cut ends if they are mushy and slimy. That would allow the stem to get moisture, but roots may or may not form. Keep the vase as full of water as possible but don't hae any leaves under the water. Put it in a sunny spot.

You could also try poking a hole in the ground and sticking all but the top 2-3 inches into the ground, water that every few days if it doesn't rain. If you have several stems, you could try both.

Francesca, this is how my dad used to root roses, though this was with a cutting from the bush: Cut off any soft part at the bottom of the stem, keeping the stem about 7 or 8 inches long. Using a sharp knife, scrape off the outer layer of the stem from the bottom inch or so of the stem. Find a large glass jar. Fill a plastic pot with good quality potting soil. Put the stem in the soil. Remove any leaves that are touching the soil. Cover the stem with the glass jar. If necessary, cut in half any leaves on the stem that might touch the inside of the jar. Water the pot. Keep the pot in a shaded place for several weeks till you see new growth on the stem. You don't have to water it, because the condensation inside the jar will keep the soil moist. Remove the jar after you see new growth and plant the cutting in your garden. This method has worked for me many times with cuttings, so I don't see why it wouldn't work on a cut flower that is still growing leaves.

Thank you for your suggestions. I may have spoiled my chances. I have now cut off the heads. Pulled off the old leaves and cut off the bottom at at angle as they were going dark at the end.(maybe now I will scrape off the outer layer at the bottom too?) I have potted some in a pot outside and have some in a pot of water inside with a plastic bag over the top. What do you think? Any chance? I have to admit, the new tiny leaves looked healthier and stronger few days ago🙈

Francesca---Yes, I would scrape off some of the outer layer of the stem at the bottom, and I would definitely cover your pot outside with a jar or plastic bag. It's worth a try. I remember that years ago, when I dug out a clematis from a friend's house, to transplant it at my house, someone said I might as well just throw it away, that it would never take. But the man at the county extension office said, Sure--give it a try--just be sure to keep it watered well for the first few weeks. So I did, and I still have that pretty clematis. What do you have to lose?

Yeah, it ain't over 'till it's over. If there's still something firm and green, there is hope, IMVHO.

Hi, I have done cuttings the same way also but I use a rooting hormone. It works nicely. Just don't over water or you might get powdered mold.
Good luck