Growing roses from a branch of an existing rose bush is known as ‘cloning’ and can produce beautiful results. It takes patience, skill, and the right conditions to ensure the best chances of success.
First, select strong, healthy branches in late winter or early spring for taking your cuttings. Each cutting should consist of one or two sections, each about 10cm long, with at least three leaf nodes below the leaf buds. Trim away the leaves on the bottom half of each cutting and dip the base in a rooting compound or hormone-rich rooting powder before planting in a light potting mix.
Gently press around each cutting to firm the soil before watering them in gently. Place them under warm, indirect light and keep them out of direct sunlight until they start producing new growth – this usually takes several weeks.
Next, monitor moisture levels carefully; let them dry slightly between waterings, but never allow them to become bone dry, as this may cause dieback or shock leading to reduced chances of successful growth. When visible new growth occurs, pots can be gradually given more sunlight over the coming weeks and kept lightly fed with roses fertilizer until they’re ready for planting into their permanent positions. Once hardened off by being exposed to outdoor temperatures for 1-2 weeks, it’s time to plant outside in well-drained soil enriched with rotted manure or garden compost for an extra boost!