"YMC" wrote in message
u...
Hello,

My friend is moving house - and she has some of the best roses I
have come across. I think she's got a Super Mr Lincoln. Strong
Scent. Vigorous Growth. Very strong and healthy.

Unfortunately, the new owners have stipulated in the contract that
they want to keep all her roses.

But nothing was said about trimming them back and taking cuttings.

Its currently Winter over here - so whats the best to ensure that
the cuttings root and grow.

Not in winter. Hardwood cuttings work when the wood is actually -
growing. Spring is the best time.

I tried taking cuttings from her garden before- but in the week -
the canes turn black from the base and die.

Check out articles on propagating roses at
www.ars.org
Click on the More About Roses button, then when that page pops up,
look left for the Rose Care Articles link.

In case you're not in the USA (you didn't specify a location), there
are rose societies in a number of countries, although the info. at
www.ars.org is general enough for most uses.

The problem with attempting to propagate many modern roses is that
they're grown on (grafted to) the root of a different (usually)
species rose, so that when you attempt to grow a rose from the "top"
part (the scion), you're not getting a duplicate or clone of the whole
bush.

Only roses grown on their own roots (mini roses, most old garden
roses, some modern shrubs) can be successfully propagated by the
casual rose owner (which includes me).

I won't mention that you're not supposed to (legally) propagate roses
that are in current patent, which might or might not apply to Mr.
Lincoln.

Also, you have to take into account different culture. (Soil, water,
air temps, etc.) A rose that does fantastically well in one locale
might not thrive in another, and vice versa. Better to simply buy
another copy of the rose(s) your friend likes at the new location.

Gail
near San Antonio TX USA Zone 8