Roses are loved for their beauty and scent, making them a popular choice for gardens and landscapes. Propagating roses from cuttings is an excellent way to expand your rose collection or share your favorite varieties with friends and family. There are several methods for propagating roses, but a unique and economical approach is to use toilet paper. In this article we will guide you through the process of propagating roses from cuttings using toilet paper, a simple but effective method for creating new rose plants.
Before we dive into the steps, let’s gather the materials needed for this propagation method:
- Healthy Rose Cuttings: Choose a mature rose plant and take 6- to 8-inch cuttings from it, ideally during the dormant season or in early spring. Choose stems with few leaves and remove any flowers or buds.
- Toilet paper: Regular unbleached toilet paper works great for this method. You will use it to wrap rose cuttings.
- Rooting Hormone: Purchase a rooting hormone powder or gel to help root development in cuttings.
- Plastic bags for light bulb holes: To create a mini greenhouse for cuttings you will need sandwich-shaped plastic bags.
- Garden shears: They will be used to take cuttings from the mother plant.
- Pots for planting: Prepare small pots filled with well-draining soil.
- Watering can: To keep the cuttings hydrated throughout the process.
Step-by-step guide
Let’s now see the process of propagating roses from cuttings using toilet paper:
- Taking rose cuttings:
- Choose healthy stems the thickness of a pencil.
- Cut a 6- to 8-inch section of the stem at a 45-degree angle, just below a leaf node.
- Remove any leaves or thorns from the bottom half of the cutting, leaving a few leaves on top.
- Application of rooting hormone:
- Dip the cut end of each cutting in rooting hormone, making sure it is completely covered.
- Toilet paper wrapping:
- Tear a sheet of toilet paper and wrap it around the bottom of the cut.
- This will help retain moisture around the stem and keep the rooting hormone in place.
- Place in plastic bags:
- Place each wrapped cut in a zip-top plastic bag, leaving the top slightly open to allow air circulation.
- Mist the cuttings with water to keep them moist but not soggy.
- Create a mini-greenhouse:
- Seal the plastic bags to create a mini-greenhouse environment, which will help maintain humidity around the cuttings.
- Waiting for the roots:
- Place the bags with the cuttings in a warm, bright place, but away from direct sunlight.
- In the following weeks, check the root development by gently pulling the cuttings. If they resist extraction, it is a sign that roots have formed.
- Transplant:
- Once the roots have developed (usually after 6-8 weeks), carefully remove the cuttings from the bags.
- Plant each cutting in a small pot filled with well-draining potting soil.
- Care of young plants:
- Water newly potted rose cuttings and place them in a sunny location with indirect light.
- Gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
- Maintenance:
- Continue to care for your young rose plants as they grow and transplant them into larger containers or the garden when they are strong and established.
Conclusion
Propagating roses from cuttings with toilet paper is an economical and environmentally friendly method of creating new rose plants. This method allows you to enjoy the beauty of your favorite rose varieties and share them with others. With a little patience and care, you can successfully propagate roses and expand your garden while minimizing waste by reusing toilet paper as a useful gardening tool.
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