Can roses be propagated by hydroponic cutting?
Hydroponic cutting, as a new favorite in modern horticulture, is changing the traditional soil cultivation methods of roses. This article will systematically explain the complete process of hydroponic cutting of roses with a combination of text and images, revealing the five key steps for cultivating water roots, making it easy for gardening beginners to master this skill.
Key Points of Hydroponic Rose Cutting Techniques
1. Stem Selection and Pretreatment
Select semi-woody branches from the current year, retain 3-4 buds, and make a 45-degree oblique cut using a sanitized knife. Remove the base leaves and retain the top 2-3 leaves, and applying wood ash to the cut can effectively prevent bacterial infections.
2. Container Selection and Disinfection
It is recommended to use transparent glass containers for easy observation, with the container's diameter matching the number of branches. Before use, boil the container in boiling water for disinfection, and keep the water level at 1/3 of the container to avoid excessive immersion of the branches.
3. Scientific Cutting Operation
Insert the processed branches into a fixed device (such as a Styrofoam board) to ensure the cut is submerged in water by 2-3 cm. Use scattered light environment initially, maintain room temperature between 18-25°C, and ventilate for 2 hours daily.
4. Water Quality Management System
Change pure water every 48 hours during the non-rooting stage, and after roots form, change water weekly. When changing water, rinse the slime off the branches and add 3-5 drops of specialized hydroponic nutrient solution. In winter, the water change cycle can be extended to every 10 days.
5. Root Promotion Techniques
Add indole butyric acid solution (0.01% concentration) to the water when changing water, or wrap the bottom of the bottle with black cloth to promote root development. When the new roots reach 5 cm, gradually add solid substrates for a semi-hydroponic transition.
Key Points of Hydroponic Rose Maintenance
After successful rooting, pay attention to light adjustment, avoiding direct sunlight in summer to prevent root burn. Regularly check the dissolved oxygen in the water, which can be increased by using an oxygen pump or shaking the container. Supplement chelated iron fertilizer monthly to prevent yellowing leaves.
By following the above systematic operations, the success rate of hydroponic rose cutting can reach over 75%. Mastering the three key elements of temperature, lighting, and water change frequency can make roses bloom new life miracles in water.