Can you root a rose cutting in a potato? This is a common question among garden enthusiasts, and the answer might surprise you. Yes, it’s possible to propagate rose cuttings in potatoes. It’s a simple process that even beginner gardeners can do.
First, take your rose cutting and remove all of the leaves from the stem, leaving only the top few leaves intact. Next, choose a healthy potato and cut it into small pieces, each being about an inch long.
Using a sharp knife, create a hole in each potato piece about halfway through. Now insert each rose cutting into the hole you made earlier, with only the top leafy part exposed above the potato surface.
Once inserted properly into the potato, plant it gently into soil and water regularly but sparingly. Place this new creation on your sunniest windowsill, or keep it outdoors in bright light (but not direct sunlight). In about 8-12 weeks, you should see roots forming inside of the potato, and shortly thereafter – once sufficient growth has been achieved – transplant your new love to its permanent home.
This method works due to the nutrients that potatoes provide, which aid in rooting (a substance called auxin), much like rooting hormone powder would also work; Rose stems contain hormone growers/pioneers, and potatoes have their own natural hormones needed for growth pre-installed so new roots form more easily when planted near them.
In summary, creating new roses using this technique is not only simple but timeless. So go ahead and experiment with different plants coupled together to form wholly original hybrids!