When is the best time to propagate roses?
Answering netizens' questions about the best time to propagate roses, as well as the season and methods for planting green plants and flowers, the specific content is as follows:
I: Why don't propagated rose cuttings root?
Most rose growers have tried propagating roses, and it is a very simple process. However, most of those who have tried have failed. So, what is the reason? Let's first talk about why rose cuttings don't root.
1: Incorrect timing
Firstly, for beginner gardeners, not all times are suitable for propagation. For example, high temperatures in summer and extreme cold in winter are not suitable times for propagating roses.
The best time for rose propagation usually focuses on the period after spring and autumn blooming. At this time, the branches are not only most vigorous but also of the right thickness, and the temperature is very suitable for propagation. It is not only conducive to rooting but also prevents the branches from rotting due to high temperatures or going dormant due to low temperatures.
Propagation is generally recommended from late April to early May in spring, and from late October in autumn.
2: Unsuitable branches
In addition to the timing, the branches used for propagation are also very important.
If the branches are too thick, rooting will be very slow. If the branches are very thin, although rooting is faster, the later care will be very troublesome, and this rose is destined to start as a weak seedling.
If the branches are too tender, they will quickly wither or even die due to blackening after propagation, but if the branches are already very hard due to lignification, the rooting speed will also be very slow or only a callus will form. Therefore, whether the branches are suitable and where to choose them is also very important.
Propagating branches should be selected as semi-lignified green branches after flowering, about the same thickness as chopsticks.
3: The temptation to pull
After propagation, many gardeners are eager to know when the roots will grow, and they can't help but check on them every day. If you do this, congratulations, there is no hope for the roots of the propagated roses.
The process of rose cuttings rooting is very fragile. Any movement of the cuttings will affect the healing tissue and rooting of the roses. Therefore, during the propagation period of roses, do not pull them.
The time for rose cuttings to root is generally between 1 to 4 weeks. It is recommended to gently pull the branches after 4 weeks to see if there is any resistance. If there is resistance, it means the roots have formed. Before this, do not touch them.
When is the best time to propagate roses?
4: Don't be happy about false growth
The situation of false growth usually occurs in winter. Although I mentioned earlier that the best time for propagation is after spring and autumn blooming, if the temperature is around 10°C in winter, it is the season with the highest rooting rate for beginners, although the rooting time is slower.
However, propagating in winter has another troublesome issue: if the temperature is slightly higher during a warm winter, the branches will sprout earlier. Do not think that sprouting means the propagation has succeeded.
At this time, sprouting is due to a sudden rise in temperature, and the rose relies on the nutrients stored in the branches to sprout. This tender new growth will usually start to wither and wilt within a week. After this happens, there is no chance of rooting.
If false growth occurs in winter due to warm weather, there is basically no way to stop it. We can try to avoid propagating in winter, and if we do, we should not cover it with plastic film to raise the temperature. Also, if we encounter a brief warm winter, we should move it to a shaded area.
5: Blackening is the most common issue
The most feared thing during rose propagation is blackening. Once blackening occurs, it means that propagation has completely failed. So, what exactly causes the cuttings to blacken? Let's analyze it.
■ High-temperature infection
The main reason for blackening in rose propagation is bacterial and fungal infections. Since roses are prone to many diseases, even healthy plants harbor many pathogens. When we propagate and cut the branches, creating a large wound, if it encounters a season with active pathogens due to high temperatures, these pathogens will take advantage of the opportunity, and blackening is an expected outcome.