ROSE propagation

REPLY TO:
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998
From: pat-mitchell@juno.com (Pat Mitchell)
Subject: Re: Propagating Roses
>am trying to propagate from the surviving rose bushes.  I have taken
>cuttings, used rooting hormone, tried some with humidity bags and some
>without.  I've tried five cuttings and failed five times.
>Renata


The following is an excerpt from our ROSE page at
http://www.rooting-hormones.com

regards
Joel

===================================================

Rose growers may have several varieties that are favorites.  From these
favorites there may be some which are desirable to propagate for new plants.
Some rose may be older varieties which are no longer commercially available.
Propagating roses by rooting softwood cuttings is a simple way to obtain
more plants. Some varieties are usually self-rooted. Other varieties have
the upper portion budded or grafted onto a root stock; these root stocks are
usually propagated from cuttings. "Old Garden Roses", shrub roses and
miniature roses may be grown on their own roots. Modern hybrid teas and
floribundas are less predictable.

Rose varieties:

Many rose varieties cuttings are best taken from young stems of the current
seasons growth. When taking cuttings from "non-stop" varieties select stems
on which the flowers petals have just fallen. For "annually flowering"
varieties take cuttings in the late Spring after the flowers have faded.

Budding and grafting:

If you intend to bud or graft plants the rootstock plants are produced from
cuttings. First root the rootstocks from cuttings then perform the budding
or grafting operations. Some growers graft and root the root stocks at the
same time; this technique is called stenting.

Taking the Cuttings:

Take roses cuttings with some leaves attached. The leaves provide sugars
from photo-synthesis. When taking winter cuttings, November through January,
some rose varieties will root without leaves. Depending upon the variety
select cuttings with five leaves. The cuttings should be taken in the cool
time of the day. Be careful not to let the cuttings dehydrate; place them in
a poly bag, seal and place in a refrigerated area at 38-40F (3C). Allow a
day in a refrigerator to seal the wound.

The Type of Cutting:

Before you take any cuttings be sure to choose a healthy, disease-free stem.
The type of cut taken can vary. You can leave a bud and leaf node at the
base. Or, leave just a smooth area of stem internode. For some varieties
take the cuttings with a node at the base; the node area may  root more
easily. Depending upon the age of the cutting, for an older cutting wound
the base of the cutting by making 1/2 to 1 inch vertical slits with a knife.
Rooting Hormone Application:

Use the DRY DIP METHOD.

Dip the basal end of the cuttings 3/4 to 1 inch into the Rhizopon AA dry
powder rooting hormones, one by one or in small bundles. Make sure that the
powder is evenly distributed in a thin even layer (1/32 to 1/16 inch) over
the whole base of the cutting. Too much powder on the cuttings might result
in excessive rooting where there is surplus powder. Root formation can be
expected all over the part of the cutting covered with the powder. Avoid
contact between the powder and foliage and other over ground parts of the
stem since it may cause phyto toxicity.
Tap off the excess powder.
Plant the cuttings immediately in moist media.
After treating cuttings take care of them.
Apply Rhizopon AA dry powder rooting hormones, usually Rhizopon AA #1 or
Rhizopon AA #2 (BEST) early in the season or Rhizopon AA #3 (for harder to
root cuttings) later in the season. 

or

Use the TOTAL IMMERSE METHOD.

First totally immerse the cuttings in the fresh Rhizopon AA Water Soluble
Tablet solution for a few seconds then plant them. You can use a basket to
dip the cuttings in a tub. Prevent bruising by not placing too many cuttings
in the solution at once. Allow time for the solution to dry on the cuttings
before watering, misting or covering. The temperature of the solution should
be at least equal to the cutting temperature. A cold solution temperature
causes the stomata of the cuttings close; the amount of active ingredients
absorbed is reduced.
Use Rhizopon AA Water Soluble Tablets at 3-5 tablets per liter of water.
Using of Rhizopon AA will result in a higher percentage of root strikes and
a more of roots on each cutting.
There is a major benefit to use this method. The bud eyes keep dormant until
the root is developed thereby achieving a stronger plant.

Planting and Taking Care of the Cuttings:

Hints for taking care of the cuttings. Fill the pots firmly with a sterile
potting mix which is moist not soggy. Several cuttings can be planted in the
same pot. Treat the cuttings with rooting hormones using the Rhizopon AA dry
powder rooting hormone Dry Dip Method or a Rhizopon AA Water Soluble Tablet
(to make fresh solutions) Solution method. Place the cutting in the hole and
firm the soil very tightly around it.

Control the humidity:

To prevent the cuttings from dehydrating through the leaves and stems the
cuttings are often propagated under mist systems in controlled greenhouses
or tunnels, in cutting trays covered with plastic.
Maintain adequate moisture in the soil and air humidity. Commercial growers
usually use mist system to prevent wilting. A fine mist of water is sprayed
over the cuttings for a few seconds every few minutes.  Another method is to
stick the cuttings in pots or trays then cover and seal the pot with clear
plastic; a poly bag works well when covering a small pot. When available use
a misting system.

"Pop-Bottle Method":

Construct "greenhouses" for the cuttings using empty two liter soft drink
bottles small pots or cups. use a knife to cut off the bottom of the bottle
where the solid-colored section is joined to the clear section. Discard the
bottom. Keep the bottle cap. Use pots which fit into the bottle bottom. The
top of the bottle should just fit snugly inside the pot rim. Place the top
from the soda bottle over the cutting and press it gently into the soil.
Make sure that there are no gaps through which evaporation could occur. Put
the cap on the bottle, but do not tighten. After a few hours check the
bottles to make sure there is some moisture condensed on the inside of each.
If not, your soil may not have been moist enough and a small amount of
additional water should be added. Place the bottles in a bright light but
not in direct sunlight as below. In the hot Summer keep in bright shade to
prevent over heating  the tender plants.

"Baggie Method:"

Use large zip lock clear plastic food storage bags to create the greenhouse
atmosphere. Fold the top of the bag down several inches in order to keep the
zipper clean while filling the bag. Place some moist potting soil into the
bag. Firm both soil and bag into a ball shape with a flattened bottom. Use a
stick to poke a 2" deep hole in the soil not the plastic. Treat the cuttings
with rooting hormones. Insert the cutting. and firm the soil tightly around
it. Unfold the top of the bag and close most of the zipper, leaving the last
inch open. Inflate the bag to expand it then close the remaining length.
Finally, place the bag in indirect light as below.

Place the cutting pots in a place where heat does not heat the cuttings. The
cuttings should have bright light to allow photosynthesis. In the spring
many varieties will develop roots in ten days to two weeks. Some varieties
can be rooted in three to four weeks. In the winter roots may form in four
to eight weeks. To determine if a cutting is rooted you can tug lightly on
it; if it resists being pulled out of the pot it is likely rooted.

Cuttings which are treated by the Rhizopon AA Water Soluble Tablet Total
Immerse Method will develop roots fast and have a delayed bud sprout. The
cutting is initially putting its energy to making roots before making leaf.
Take care of the cuttings. Acclimation of the newly-rooted plants should be
done gradually. After the cuttings are rooted  remove discontinue the mist
or remove the cover. Harden them off for a few days by putting the pots in
the shade in a cool place. Once the plants have adjusted to normal humidity
they can be place in regular pots to continue their growth. After the plants
have a good root system move them into brighter light.

Air Layering:

Air layering involves the wounding the stem of the plant while it is on the
stock plant. Treat the stem then cover it. Roots form in the covered area. 
The tip of the stem sticking out of the covered area will continue to grow.
It will soon become a new plant with it's own roots. The roots form at the
wound. After the roots form sever the stem from the stock plant.

Use Rhizopon AA dry powder rooting hormones to treat air layers. Apply using
a clean soft brush using Rhizopon AA #2 or #3 dry powder rooting hormones.
If using cocoa fibers make sure the processing salts have been removed. As
an alternate you can use Rhizopon AA Water Soluble Tablets. Soak the moss or
cocoa fibers in 3-10 tablets per liter water. Wound the stem of the cane.
Apply the fiber. Cover the fibers with aluminum foil to protect against
drying out.

  *************** Hortus USA Corp ***************
PO Box 1956 Old Chelsea Sta, New York NY 10113 USA
     US Importer of Rhizopon Rooting Hormones
Visit our web site- http://www.rooting-hormones.com
  ************    info@hortus.com    ************

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