[Rose-list] cuttings

**"* R* W* <p*@televar.com>**

Hello all,

I got rose cuttings from Carleen, eight different varieties, a minimum
of 3 of one kind and a maximum of 6 of one kind.  I decided I would
share with all of you what I have done to try to get them to root.

I opened the package when I received it and all were pretty happy and
perky.  I could not plant them that day or the next.  I put the roses in
the refrigerator the first night.  The next day I got them out and put
them in containers of water with 1/2 aspirin per container.  WOW!  Did
they respond to that!  Stood at attention even.  I made fresh stem end
cuts and made very shallow, almost paper thin, cuts on opposing sides of
the stem down at the bottom.  The cuts were about 1" or a bit more
long.  I   made labels on my P-Touch labeler by Brother (the small, hand
held one) then cut the bottom out of milk jugs and the big plastic pop
bottles per Carleen's advice.  I placed the labels on the jugs and
bottles and placed them over the containers of cuttings. I moved the
containers, jugs and bottles and the cuttings outside over night.  The
next day I loosened the ground at each site where I wanted to try
rooting the roses.  I put powdered Rhizopon rooting medium in a 35 mm
film container and dipped each cutting into the Rhizopon, tapped off
excess, poked the cutting into prepared ground, firmed the soil, poured
the aspirin water they had been residing in  around the cuttings, placed
the jugs and bottles over them and whispered a few sweet nothings to
them before I left them.  

The site where I placed them is in the shade of the wildlife protection
growth along the creek.  Drainage is good but the soil holds the
moisture nicely.  It is light without being hot.  Should be ideal for
them.

All I will do now is to check to see if any "varmints" or bugs are
feasting on them and make sure they stay moist.  I suppose I will have
to explain to visitors why I have these jugs etc. around my patio.  I
will have to think up a totally unbelievable story to tell them unless
one of you has some suggestions??  I hope the raccoons that have visited
occasionally do not come and try to mess with the jugs.  I have to make
a map of the cuttings just in case they do just that.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Patti
Central WA state.

_______________________________________________
rose-list maillist  -  rose-list@mallorn.com
https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/rose-list