Hello!

It sounds like your neighbor has a special rose, I would be happy to help you preserve it. Roses generally do well when propagated by cuttings.

I have outlined the general process below along with some helpful tips.

Supplies:
- Tool for making cuttings (pruners, a sharp knife, etc.)
- Medium for cuttings to root in
- Pot(s) that have been sanitized
- A way to keep moisture in, a clear plastic bag fastened around the pot(s) works well

General process:
1. Sanitize tool for taking cuttings. Be sure that the tool is sharp enough that you can make a clean cut without crushing the stem.
2. Take cuttings that are 6-8 inches long and include 4-5 nodes, ensuring that the cut is just below a node. A node is where the leaves connect to the stems. Be sure to take the cuttings in the morning so that the cuttings start out with the most amount of water possible.
a. If the cuttings are longer than 6-8 inches, you can split them into multiple cuttings.
3. Remove any flowers and all but the top leaves. This is so that the cutting loses less moisture through the leaves and will need to focus on making roots.
4. (Optional) Dip the bottom end of the cuttings in rooting hormone.
5. Place the cuttings in sterile potting soil, a soil-less seed starting mix, or in equal parts perlite and vermiculite. The important thing is for the cuttings to stay moist without being waterlogged.
6. Place a clear or translucent bag around the pots to keep the relative humidity high.
7. Place in bright, indirect light.
8. Wait for the cuttings to root! Tugging lightly on them and feeling resistance is an indication that they have rooted. It may take 6 months for them to root.

Tips:
- Don’t let the cuttings dry out.
- Take several cuttings because not all will root.
- Sanitize tools and pots.
- Don’t put the cuttings in the medium upside down
- One way to keep track is to cut the top at an angle and the bottom straight, added benefit of not allowing water to pool on the top
- Take cuttings from flexible, green stems. They root more easily than woody stems.

References/further reading (ordered from least to most detailed): https://fps.ucdavis.edu/roseprop.cfm https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=53529 https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/southerngarden/roseprop.html

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Happy gardening!

Leo Sherry
Master Gardener trainee

Reviewed by Elizabeth Records - program staff