Cuttings are simply pieces of rose stems taken at different stages of maturity. Some plants are very particular about what type of cutting will root, but roses are fairly flexible. Rose cuttings can be taken from the current years new stems at three main growth stages:
You can improve your success at any growth stage by treating cuttings with rooting hormone to stimulate root development and encourage growth. GardenTech® RootBoost™ Rooting Hormone helps grow new plants from cuttings fast on roses and other favorite plants like African violets, philodendrons, gardenias, coleus, hydrangeas and more.
Working with softwood cuttings allows some flexibility in how and where you place them to root and grow. However, cuttings should be planted right after theyre taken, so prepare your spot in advance. You can stick softwood cuttings straight into a prepared corner of your outdoor garden space or plant them in containers or deep trays instead.
To plant in a garden, choose a spot with bright but indirect light, so cuttings wont be stressed by too much sun or heat. Northern and eastern exposures are perfect rooting spots. Cultivate the soil in your new propagation bed about 4 to 6 inches deep, so it crumbles easily. If your soil is heavy, incorporate a small amount of sand, so that new roots can penetrate without much effort.
To start your cuttings in a tray or container, plant at least 6 inches deep, so new roots have plenty of growing room. A simple “soil” mix of equal parts coarse sand and perlite or vermiculite works well. Water the mix thoroughly once youre through.
Can You Split a Rose Bush? A Complete Guide
Rose bushes are treasured additions to many gardens Their gorgeous, fragrant blooms can transform any outdoor space into a floral wonderland But after some years, your rose bush may become overgrown and congested. You may wonder – can you split a rose bush to control its size or propagate new plants?
While dividing perennials like hostas is very common, splitting rose bushes requires special care and technique. Roses react differently than other plants when disturbed at the roots. Before taking this step, consider the risks, proper methods, and alternatives to splitting rose bushes.
Why Dividing Plants is Beneficial
Dividing crowded plants by splitting them into smaller sections is a proven gardening technique for many perennials, ornamental grasses, bulbs, and shrubs. Potential benefits of dividing plants include:
- Controlling overgrown plants and preventing crowding
- Propagating more new plants easily
- Rejuvenating old plants with less blooms
- Reducing competition between plant clusters
- Improving air circulation and light exposure
- Stimulating new root and shoot growth
- Renewing plants by selecting the youngest offshoots
When done correctly, dividing perennials can sustain a healthy, vibrant garden for years. But some plants strongly resent being disturbed – including rose bushes.
Why Rose Bushes Dislike Being Split
While dividing suits many perennials, rose bushes often don’t respond well for these key reasons:
- Rose roots don’t split cleanly like other plants. Tearing the roots damages the bush.
- New shoots and stems arising from a divided rose bush are often weaker than the original.
- Shock from splitting can stunt blooms and growth for 1-2 seasons afterwards.
- Roses have a deep central taproot that anchors the plant. Dividing damages this root.
- Diseases can more easily enter the bush through split roots.
- The rootstock variety affects whether roses will regrow properly when split.
Overall, dividing stresses rose bushes significantly. The shock usually outweighs any size control or rejuvenation benefits for the plant.
When Can You Consider Splitting Rose Bushes?
The risks and drawbacks make splitting rose bushes inadvisable in most cases. However, experienced rosarians may carefully divide bushes in a few specific situations:
- To propagate a valuable or rare rose variety that’s unavailable elsewhere.
- To transplant part of an overgrown bush to a different spot in the garden.
- To stimulate old, non-blooming plants that need rejuvenation.
- To rescue a declining bush by selecting and separating the healthiest stems.
Even then, focus efforts on younger, 1-3 year old plants which recover from division better than old bushes. Only divide when truly needed.
How to Minimize Damage When Splitting Rose Bushes
If you must divide an overgrown rose bush, follow these tips to minimize stress:
- Time it in early spring before new growth emerges or in fall after blooming finishes. Avoid active growth periods.
- Select a younger, vigorous shoot from the outer edge of the plant. Older interior shoots often fail after division.
- Prune off any dead or weak stems first to retain only robust shoots.
- Use sterilized, sharp bypass pruners to make clean cuts rather than tearing.
- Dig deeply to keep as many intact roots as possible when lifting the shoot.
- Replant the division at the same level it was originally growing.
- Keep the soil moist but not saturated until signs of new growth emerge.
- Prune back the shoot by 1/3 to promote root recovery and prompt new branching.
- Apply dilute Epsom salts monthly to encourage root regeneration.
Attentive follow-up care is crucial since divided bushes are high-stress plants. Patience through at least one full growing season is required to accurately gauge success.
Better Options for Rose Bush Size Control
For most overgrown rose bushes, less invasive alternatives like pruning, transplanting, and other propagation methods are gentler, lower-risk approaches than splitting the bush. Some examples include:
- Pruning oldest interior stems annually to force new basal growth
- Propagating by taking stem cuttings to root rather than splitting
- Transplanting the entire bush to a larger space instead of dividing it
- Allowing wider initial spacing to accommodate mature size rather than later dividing
- Controlling size with corrective pruning methods instead of disturbing the roots
- Removing oldest plants on grafted rose rootstocks and replacing with new budded growth
Avoid digging into the root system and tearing it apart unless absolutely necessary. Use less disruptive renewal methods to sustain rose bush health and productivity for years of beauty.
The Takeaway – Splitting Rose Bushes
While splitting perennials is a common practice, rose bushes resent being divided and rarely thrive afterwards like they once did. Much better results come from proper preventive care through spacing, pruning, and propagation by cuttings. But if an overgrown rose desperately needs help, carefully dividing it in spring or fall then providing attentive aftercare can sometimes bring it back to life. Just don’t expect miracles from splitting rose bushes as with other perennials.
Taking Cuttings From Roses
Weather and other factors can impact when softwood is ready for cutting, and southern regions are very different from northern growing zones. Dont base your timing strictly on a calendar; look to your roses — and their fading blooms — instead.
Before you begin, gather these basic items:
- A clean, sharp knife or bypass pruners
- A bucket of warm water, to keep cuttings moist
- RootBoost™ Rooting Hormone
- A small dish to hold the rooting hormone for dipping
- A small stick or pencil to make planting holes
Take rose cuttings from strong, healthy plants during morning hours, when theyre well hydrated. Follow these simple steps:
- Choose a stem or stems between a withered bloom and the roses woody base. One stem will make several cuttings.
- Remove the bloom and stem tip. Cut at a 45-degree angle, right above the first set of leaves at the top and again above the last set of leaves at the stems bottom. Put cut stems in water immediately.
- Cut each stem into 6- to 8-inch lengths, so that each cutting has four “nodes” — thats where leaves emerge on stems.1 Keep cuttings moist at all times.
- Remove all the leaves except one set at the top of each cutting.1 This helps cuttings root and helps you gauge their progress.
- Pour a small amount of RootBoost™ rooting hormone into the dish. Pour only what you need, and discard the excess when youre done.
- Moisten the cuttings bottom half, and dip it into the rooting hormone until covered.
- Use a stick or pencil to make a planting hole 3 to 4 inches deep in your rooting bed or container. Make it big enough so you can insert the cutting without brushing off the hormone.
- Stick the cutting into the hole so its bottom half and at least two nodes are covered,1 and then firm the soil around it.
You can make several cuttings from a single rose stem.
Caring for New Rose Cuttings
While your cuttings take root, keep them covered and moist. In a garden bed, a simple DIY mini greenhouse does the trick. Just place a bell jar, a garden cloche or an overturned mason jar over the cutting. A clear plastic bottle with the bottom cut out and the cap removed works, too. Water the soil regularly to keep it moist, but not soggy. Your mini hothouse will keep the humidity high inside.
If your cuttings are in containers, just insert a few decorative twigs around the edge for support and fit a clear plastic bag over the top. Mist and water your cuttings, as needed, so they stay hydrated and soil stays moist. Be sure the plastic doesnt rest on your cuttings.
Most softwood rose cuttings will root within 10 to 14 days.1 To test their progress, tug very gently on the cuttings. Youll feel a slight resistance as the new roots form and grow into the soil. A gentle fish- or kelp-based fertilizer during this time provides beneficial nutrients. Once roots are established and plants show strong new growth, you can transplant your new roses to more permanent garden homes.
Some roses root easier than others — old-fashioned heirloom types often root better than modern hybrids — but dont let that keep you from trying your hand at replicating garden favorites and sharing your love of roses and gardening with family and friends. RootBoost™ and GardenTech® brands are here to help you learn and succeed in all your gardening projects, so you can experience all the joys of gardening.
Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions carefully.
GardenTech is a registered trademark of Gulfstream Home and Garden, Inc.
RootBoost is a trademark of Tech Pac, L.L.C.
Sources:
1. University of California-Davis, “Softwood Rose Cuttings,” UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
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Propagating Rose Cuttings (2 Minute Guide)
FAQ
When to split a rose bush?
Divide your rose in the early spring or late fall. – Avoid dividing rose bushes when they’re in bloom.
Can you cut part of a rose bush and replant it?
Cuttings can be taken at any time of the year, but they are more likely to root successfully after flowering. Take your cuttings on a day when the temperature is between 70 and 80°F. The early morning hours are the prime time to take rose stem cuttings because the plant is well-hydrated.
Can you take a cutting from a rose bush and root it?
Yes, you can successfully root cuttings from an “own-root” rose, but not from a rose that has been grafted onto root stock from another type of rose. You would need to do research on the rose you have in mind to determine what type it is.
Will a rose bush survive a transplant?
If you need to transplant your rose during the growing season (non-dormant), you can still be successful but water is key! Be sure to do the following: Prep your rose. A liquid vitamin B1 transplanting fertilizer will help the rose adjust to the move.
Can You Split rose bushes?
While dividing perennials like hostas is common, splitting rose bushes takes specific care and technique to do it properly. Dividing congested plants by splitting them into multiple smaller sections is a proven gardening technique for many flowering perennials, grasses, bulbs, and shrubs. Potential benefits include:
Can you divide a rose bush?
Rose bushes are notoriously finicky, a constant source of frustration for many gardeners, as they are often the focal point of a well-appointed garden. Don’t panic just yet, though; dividing a rose bush is risky, but it’s not impossible. Sometimes it must be done for the good of your flowers.
What happens if a rose bush splits?
Rose roots don’t split cleanly like other plants. Tearing the roots damages the bush. New shoots and stems arising from a divided rose bush are often much weaker than the original. Shock from splitting can stunt blooms and growth for 1-2 seasons afterwards. Roses have a deep, central taproot that anchors the plant. Dividing damages this root.
Should rosarians Split rose bushes?
The risks and drawbacks make splitting rose bushes inadvisable in most cases. However, experienced rosarians may carefully divide bushes in a few specific situations: To propagate a valuable or rare variety that’s unavailable elsewhere. To transplant part of an overgrown bush to a different location in the garden.
Why is my rose bush not dividing?
While dividing suits many perennials, rose bushes often don’t respond well for these key reasons: Rose roots don’t split cleanly like other plants. Tearing the roots damages the bush. New shoots and stems arising from a divided rose bush are often much weaker than the original.
Can You propagate Roses by dividing a plant?
However, you can also propagate roses by dividing an existing plant, but this requires a little more effort than with cuttings. To propagate by division, you have to dig up an entire rose bush, cut the root system in half, and replant the two halves as separate bushes. Select the right time.