The Miracle of Multiplication .. AT MY ROSE GARDEN

Propagating new plants is the backbone of any large garden, especially a garden in the country.  With few specialist nurseries nearby, we rely on propagating as many plants as we can.   

And now is the time when we begin to propagate our roses by taking cuttings.

Just one of the propagation methods we use to multiply the plants in our garden.  

In our sub-tropic to temperate climate, late Autumn is the most reliable time to take rose cuttings. With late Autumn rains this year, we have had to delay taking cuttings, as the wet weather increases the likelihood of cuttings rotting before they can take root.

Although the strike rating for cuttings is sometimes disappointing, if we gain even a few new rose plants we will be ahead.  And we know that the rose plant will look like it's parent.  

To take semi-ripe cuttings, choose flexible stems that have already flowered.  Cut below the leaf node.  This is where the roots will form once the stem is pushed into the rooting media (or mix).  

Count up from the bottom of your stem 3 or 4 leaf nodes and cut  just above a leaf node.  This will be the top of your plant.  

Always use clean sharp secateurs and always discard the trimmings of leaves and stems. These are not suitable for composting as they will spread disease, unless you have a very hot compost that can kill fungal spores. 

Once the cuttings have taken root they can be potted up into their own pot until the plant is large enough to plant.  So in the next twelve months we hope to have plants that will be strong and grow vigorously.  This Noisette, Milkmaid, bred by the Australian breeder, Alistair Clark, started out as a tiny cutting.  It has grown over 3 metres up and over a trellis in under 12 months.  

We are hoping to have more plants of one of our favourite Teas, Mrs B R Cant.  This is the parent plant with lovely deep pink, very full flowers that bloom almost continuously all year.  Just cannot have enough plants of her.

Now tomorrow's task will be to take cuttings of some favourite salvias to grow at the feet of the roses!  We use exactly the same method for taking cuttings as for the roses, but the salvias will grow much more quickly.   This means we will have more plants within a few months.

Love the multiplication of propagation!