On 2/23/2016 2:46 PM, Dan Espen wrote:
"David E. Ross" writes:

I want to try to root cuttings of a rose from someone else's garden
(with permission), a rose that is no longer available commercially.

The question is: what type of cutting is most likely to be successful --
succulent new growth, somewhat woody but green almost mature growth, or
truly mature growth?

Green? You said _root_ cuttings. Why would the roots be green?

Aren't most rose bushes grafts? The root might not match the plant.

I have to confess, never tried a root cutting but now I know
how I can get a Rose of Sharon with unique colors into my yard.
Up until now, I've just been transplanting volunteers and hoping
for the best.

Google says, pencil thin section of root or larger.


No, I do not want to take a cutting of a root. I want to root a cutting
of the top growth. That is, I will cut a shoot, recut the shoot while
the shears and shoot are under water, dip the cut end of the shoot in a
powdered plant hormone that is supposed to induce roots to form, place
the shoot (cut end down) in a nutrient-free medium in a plastic pot, and
cover the pot with a plastic dome that serves as a miniature greenhouse.

This is how I create new plants from existing lavendar bushes,
chrysanthemums, Dracaenas, Cordylines, pineapples, pothos, nephthytis,
etc. The difference is that roses do not root as readily as those others.

Yes, roses are customarily grown on a different root stock. However, I
already have a 'Color Magic' (hybrid tea) that was commercially
cutting-grown, also termed "own root" in my garden. It seems to be
doing well. Also, like roses, European grapes are customarily grown on
American root stocks; but I have three vigorous cutting-grown European
grape vines that produce abundant fruit.

--
David E. Ross

While many tributes to the late Supreme Court Associate Justice
Antonin Scalia now fill the news media, his legacy was not
necessarily positive. See my "What Price Order, Mr. Justice Scalia?"
at http://www.rossde.com/editorials/edtl_scalia_wrong.html.