Propagating roses by cuttings at home

Propagating roses from cuttings at home remains a pressing issue for many gardeners, as this flower is notoriously capricious. Possessing enchanting beauty and fragrance, the rose remains the queen of the floral kingdom, present in virtually every arrangement. World-renowned scientists are breeding roses, creating unique varieties.

Growing this ornamental plant isn't easy, and the rose itself is quite demanding at home, but the number of people wanting to create a rose garden in their garden is constantly growing. Besides its charming appearance, the flower is also valued for its healing properties. Roses have found use in folk medicine, aromatherapy, cosmetology, and even cooking. And the expensive oil extracted from its petals is used in the perfume industry.

How to propagate roses by cuttings at home

The most common method for propagating roses is cuttings. Using this method, you can obtain seedlings as early as the second year. The cutting should be taken from the middle of a shoot that has already bloomed. It should have 2-3 formed buds. All manipulation of the cuttings should be done in the morning, when the roses are saturated with moisture. After pruning, they should be placed in water.
It's best to root this ornamental plant in a greenhouse. Containers are also suitable for this purpose. When preparing the substrate, use a layer of humus (20-25 cm), a layer of turf, and a layer of river sand on top. The cuttings are planted at an angle to a third of the depth and watered well. After this, they are covered with plastic wrap. The plant should take root within a month. When 2-3 leaves appear, it is advisable to feed it with a calcium nitrate solution. To prevent powdery mildew, you can spray it with Fundazol.
Cuttings prepared this way will keep well in damp sand until spring. Before planting in the ground, the root system should be treated with a potassium permanganate solution for disinfection.

Planting roses at home

The best time to plant roses is spring and fall. A few days before planting, prepare holes (50x50x50 cm) and fill them with water. Once the water has been absorbed and the soil has settled, fill them with a 50/50 mixture of humus and fertile soil. If the seedlings have long, exposed roots, trim them to a length of 30 cm. Another option is to transplant the rose from its container. In this case, carefully remove the seedling along with the root ball and lower it into the hole. After planting, the bushes are slightly stretched, and the soil around them is compacted. Then water thoroughly. For better rooting, they are immediately covered with soil. This will protect the seedlings from drying out in hot weather, and from frost in the fall. During the first year, emerging buds are pruned to allow the rose to gain strength for growth.

Read, How to care for roses in autumn

The use of roses in folk medicine and cosmetology

The petals of this royal flower are a treasure trove of beneficial substances. Infusions made from them have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and tonic properties. For colds and sore throats, they are used as a gargle, steeping 2 tablespoons of petals in a glass of boiling water. For gastrointestinal ailments, infusions are taken internally. Rose water treats skin and eye conditions. Rose tea is beneficial for women's health. Rose oil not only treats a wide range of ailments but is also successfully used in cosmetology. It has rejuvenating and tonic properties. Its use in essential oil blends for overall health is very effective.

Culinary delights

You can make very tasty and healthy jam and liqueur from roses.

Amber rose petal jam

Grind one cup of petals with one cup of sugar until smooth. Separately, prepare syrup (400 g sugar, 200 ml water). After it boils for 7-8 minutes, add the petal pulp. Boil everything together for 15 minutes. Fill the jars with the jam and seal.

Pink liqueur

Mix one cup of petals with one cup of sugar and crush. Add a tablespoon of citric acid. Transfer the mixture to a jar and refrigerate for three days. For the syrup, you'll need three cups of sugar and the same amount of water. After boiling, cool it and pour it over the petals. Mix everything together and refrigerate for ten days. After the time has elapsed, strain through cheesecloth, squeeze out the petals, and add half a glass of vodka. Mix everything together and let it steep. The resulting liqueur has the color of a tea rose, an extraordinary aroma, and an exquisite taste.

Read, How to preserve rose seedlings purchased in early spring before planting