It is very human to find roses when you are walking through a park or when you pass by a garden and not be able to resist the temptation of wanting to have these beautiful flowers in your own private garden. It is also human that the daring little devil in your head motivates you to cut some cuttings to take home and try to give them life by placing them in water and waiting for the miracle of roots sprouting so you can plant them. But is it possible to do this?Can you have rose cuttings in water?Let's solve this doubt.
No flower lover can resist roses, because they are specimens that have that aura of mysterious beauty that transmits deep and romantic messages to us, even if romanticism is not one of our most outstanding characteristics. A single rose is capable of beautifying the humblest garden or giving style to a living room if you place it in a nice vase.
The best thing to do would be to go to a seed store and buy your own rose seeds. But between the ideal and the real, we know that many times we make ourselves a stretch of excuses and end up choosing the shortest path. Okay, you came across some beautiful rose bushes and you did it. Now you have some rose cuttings in your hands and the answer is yes: you can. have the rose cuttings in water and make them develop in order to plant them later. But you must follow some steps and take some precautions.
Rose cuttings: everything you need to know about them
The question may seem obvious, however, this is a blog dedicated to gardening experts but also to amateur gardeners who are just starting out and looking to learn to be better plant caretakers every day, so we don't like to take anything for granted and we want to explain it to you from A to Z, starting with what is a cutting.
You probably know this, but just in case you don't, a cutting is the stem from which the plant's roots grow. When the stem can develop or has developed roots, it is a cutting. But keep in mind that not all stems, nor all parts of a stem, are capable of developing roots and, therefore, not all are valid.
Ideally, if you want to take cuttings, you should choose those that are neither too young nor too old. Choose just the right ones. woody or semi-woody stemsDepending on when you take the cuttings, they may be stronger or weaker, more or less likely to root.
During the fall or winter, the stems are woody, which means they are tougher because they are longer-lived. This has its pros and cons. The advantage is that they are more resistant stems and less likely to get sick or weaken, while the con is that it will take longer to take root. With patience, however, everything will come.
In contrast, in spring, the stems are younger and therefore softer. The roots are able to emerge more easily, but the stem is also more delicate.
How to propagate rose cuttings in water
Seeing what you have seen, you are already learning that yes, that the rose cuttings They can be kept in water and it is possible to make them take root to plant rose bushes. But you are also seeing that it cannot be done hastily, because the process is delicate. A series of precautions must be taken, which are the following:
- Choosing the right stem: To ensure success, the perfect stem should be about 15 centimeters long, not in bloom, and if it has between 4 and 6 leaves, even better.
- You have now located the ideal stem. Great! Now it is time to make the cut. This cut must be diagonal and with disinfected scissors. Cut just below the node, that is, below the leaf.
- Free the base of the stem from leaves, because if they are in water, they will rot and the process will be endangered.
- If you want to speed up rooting, you can use rooting hormones.
How to keep your rose cuttings in water
We start from the assumption that you have chosen and cut the stem or cutting correctly following the guidelines above. Now it is time to ensure that it survives and grows roots to plant it:
- The water should be changed every few days to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria, which will endanger the survival of the stem.
- The cutting needs a lot of light, so place the container where it will receive plenty of indirect light, never in full sun.
- The cutting needs to stay moist, so be careful that it doesn't dry out.
How long does it take for a rose cutting to root in water?
El rose cutting rooting timeGenerally speaking, if all goes well, it takes about four weeks. Although it can take root earlier, with a bit of luck and good care.
When to plant rose cuttings?
The cuttings will be ready to be planted in soil when they have reached about 4 centimeters in length. When this happens, prepare your pot with quality, well-draining soil. Don't pack the soil down too much and allow it to air out so the roots can grow. Firm it down enough for it to grip, but don't press down too hard on the soil.
Once the cutting has been planted, water it keeping it moist, without flooding, until the plant begins to sprout and the cutting has managed to stabilize.
Problems with rose cuttings
During the process of rooting a rose cutting in water, various problems may arise. For example, the roots may not emerge. If after a certain amount of time the roots have not sprouted, it may be due to a lack of light.
When you see that the leaves of the cutting are wilting, it is because it is losing water. Cut off the large leaves, leaving the minimum ones and avoid air currents.
Has mold appeared? Change the water more often and remove any damp leaves. Don't leave leaves in the water.
With these precautions, you will be able to witness the miracle of seeing the roots appear on your rose cuttings and know when it is time to plant them, taking care of the plant at all times. You can have rose cuttings in water, but with care and attention.