Roses, with their enchanting beauty and diverse varieties, are a joy to cultivate. While purchasing them is convenient, propagating your roses adds a personal touch to your garden. This article provides insightful details on two popular methods – taking cuttings (esquejes) and grafting (injertos), guiding both novice and experienced gardeners through the process.
### **1. Propagating Roses through Cuttings (Esquejes)**
#### *Choosing the Right Time and Plant:*
To begin, select well-matured cuttings, ideally in September for northern regions and October for southern areas. Opt for a robust and disease-resistant mother plant to ensure the propagated variety thrives.
#### *Proper Cutting Technique:*
Using a knife or scissors, cut the mature branches with the width of a pencil. Retain only the middle part of the branches with four or five leaves, removing the two basal leaves to allow proper aeration.
#### *Rooting Hormones and Planting:*
Dip the base of the cuttings in rooting hormones, enhancing the chances of successful root formation. Prepare a trench in a semi-shaded and protected area, filling it with a 5cm layer of fine sand for drainage. Plant the cuttings with a spacing of 12 to 15 cm and fill the trench with potting soil and peat. Pack and water the area.
#### *Alternative Methods:*
For faster recovery, plant cuttings in a large pot, covering it with transparent plastic to create a greenhouse-like environment. Another option involves planting each cutting individually in a pot, using a halved plastic bottle as a protective dome.
#### *Transplanting Timeline:*
Wait for a year before transplanting the new cuttings. Remove any flowers during this time to allow sap concentration for stronger new shoots.
### **2. Grafting Roses (Injertos)**
Grafting, although more complex, is a professional method used for propagating roses. The principle involves placing a graft of the desired variety onto a rootstock, typically a wild rose. With practice, achieving successful propagation becomes more attainable.
#### *Selecting Rootstock and Grafting:*
Choose a robust rootstock, often a wild rose, and graft a cutting of the desired rose variety onto it. With practice, this technique yields successful propagation.
#### *Professional Propagation:*
While grafting may seem daunting for beginners, it is a common practice among professionals for its efficiency. With time and dedication, gardeners can master the art of rose propagation through grafting.
Whether you opt for the simplicity of cuttings or the precision of grafting, propagating roses adds a rewarding dimension to gardening. Experiment with these methods, and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by a flourishing garden of uniquely propagated roses.