Receiving a beautiful bouquet of roses can be a joy, but it’s disheartening when they fade too quickly. To avoid this disappointment, why not try propagating roses? It can be easily done at home by cutting a rose from store-bought flowers or an existing plant. There are several methods of rose propagation, but one is particularly effective: the glass of water method. In addition to its well-known therapeutic properties, aloe vera serves as an excellent organic fertilizer and rooting agent. By using aloe vera gel, you can stimulate rapid and healthy growth of rose cuttings.
Glass of water method for rose propagation
To start, cut the rose just below the flower with scissors. Measure five nodes along the stem and make a diagonal cut below the fifth node. The angled incision improves the rooting ability of the plant compared to a conventional straight cut. Next, extract the pulp from an aloe vera leaf, cutting off both ends and carefully slicing down the center to collect all the pulp.
Using an immersion blender, mix the pulp until smooth, then pour it into a glass. Dip the first rose cutting into the pulp and let it sit for five days. Next, plant the cutting in high-quality peat. Don’t discard the remaining juice: you can use it as a spray.
Other methods of rose propagation
Another method is to combine a rose cutting with an aloe vera cutting. After cutting the top and bottom, insert the rose cutting directly into the aloe vera cutting. In a pot, create a layer of expanded clay and soil. Place the cutting inside, covering it with more soil and leaving only the top part of the aloe vera cutting visible. The aloe vera acts as a container, preventing the soil from absorbing too much of the liquid gel surrounding the cutting, thus encouraging root growth. New shoots should appear in a few weeks. To keep the cutting hydrated, use a spray bottle filled with water.
To propagate roses using a plastic bottle, cut it in half and make small holes in the bottom with an awl. Mix high-quality expanded clay and peat and fill the bottle halfway. After spraying generously, let the mixture drain slightly. Take a cutting with at least 3 or 4 buds and remove most of the leaves with scissors. Insert the cutting into the soil and cover it with the other half of the bottle to maintain a moist environment until the roots develop. To ensure proper growth, keep the soil moderately moist, avoiding both excessive moisture and dryness. Place the cutting in a cool, shaded place outdoors, away from direct sunlight.
The third and best method
The third and final method is to clean a sprig and place it in a cut and half-filled water bottle. For greater fragrance, add a few drops of essential oil to the water. After a week, the branch should start to sprout.
With these effective methods for propagating roses, you will be able to enjoy an endless supply of these beautiful blooms, transforming your home and garden into a rose paradise.
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