HOW TO TAKE HARDWOOD ROSE CUTTINGS

PL’S resident flower grower, Pippa Blenkinsop, explains how to propagate new plants from these favoured blooms

Rose cuttings can be taken at any time of the year, but the type varies on the season chosen.

There are two ways to take rose cuttings: as hardwood cuttings from mature growth during autumn and winter when the rose is dormant; or softwood, stem-tip cuttings, which are taken in late spring and early summer from the fresh, newseason growth.

Take a hardwood cutting from early autumn, after flowering. Select healthy shoots of about pencil thickness, remove the flower and cut off a length of around 30cm. Remove the leaves and cut the shoot down to around 23cm. At the top, make a cut at an angle, just above an outward facing bud, and at the bottom make a straight cut, just below a bud – the point at which a leaf is attached to the stem. Then place in a polythene bag to stop the cutting from drying out.

To plant the cuttings, make a narrow, slit-like trench and dribble in sand to improve the drainage. Alternatively create individual holes 15cm apart using a dibber or piece of bamboo cane, and sprinkle sand in each. Place the cuttings vertically into the trench so that a third of the shoot is above the soil. Cuttings will need to be placed at least 15cm apart. Infill with soil, firm and water.

In a year’s time, the cuttings should have developed a root system and can then be carefully lifted using a fork.