Rose Propagation Cuttings Vs. Bud Grafting

Propagation by Cuttings

• Propagating a rose by cuttings involves cutting a stem from one rosebush and using that stem to establish another rose. Stems with several flowers are ideal for this process; cutting a stem of around 7 inches in length and removing the lower leaves provides a good candidate for establishing a new rosebush. The best time of year to take a stem cutting for propagation is winter, but extra care must be taken to protect the cutting from extreme cold temperatures. Otherwise, the stem will not root.

Propagation by Bud Grafting

• Another commonly used method for rose propagation is bud grafting. Unlike stem cuttings, grafting involves taking parts of two different varieties of roses and joining them together to create a new rose. The best time to take a bud from a rose stem is during August, though buds can also be cut in late fall or early winter. The bud is removed from a deflowering stem and grafted into the stem of another rose. Typically, the new bud needs to be wrapped to protect it from drying out.

Advantages of Cuttings

• Both propagation methods are commonly used and both have a high success rate as long as proper techniques are used. Propagation using cuttings is ideal because roses in general grow easier and healthier on established root structures than when they have to develop new root structures. Older varieties are particularly well-suited to propagation by cuttings since they have already become well-established in the growing region. If you live in a particularly cold climate or will be unable to store the cutting in ideal conditions until planting time, propagation by cuttings may not be the best option for you.

Advantages of Bud Grafting

• The advantage of bud grafting is that by combining genetic material from two different types of roses, you can create wholly new varieties that you would not be able to find in a nursery. Arguably the biggest disadvantage of bud grafting is that it is more costly, requires more skill and is more time consuming than other rose propagation methods. A novice gardener or those that are inexperienced in rose propagation may opt for a less complex technique. If bud grafting is performed correctly, however, you will be rewarded with healthy and diverse roses.