How to grow a rose in potatoes, methods of cultivation and propagation

The wide variety of rose varieties forces gardeners to come up with new ways to root these flowers. To get the desired variety, preference is given to growing seedlings yourself. Recently, the use of potato tubers for planting has become increasingly popular. It is worth finding out in advance how to grow a rose in potatoes, how to choose the right soil and cuttings.

Features of the method

This method of growing cuttings has its own characteristics. It has proven itself well as a way to obtain a rose seedling from a given bouquet. Of course, it is not suitable for imported varieties, since they undergo lengthy transportation and chemical processing. But for growing domestic roses that have already been acclimatized, it is quite suitable.

Using a potato tuber allows the plant to receive a sufficient amount of moisture, as well as micro- and macronutrients.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

Like any other rooting method, growing a rose from a cutting in a potato has positive and negative aspects.

The advantages of the method include:

• simplicity of the technological process;
• the ability to root even a flower from a presented bouquet;
• the rose receives excellent levels of moisture, oxygen and nutritional components from potatoes;
• the tuber will protect the plant from negative factors.

Using potatoes prevents damage to the future seedling. For example, when planted directly in the ground, it can dry out, and when germinated in water, it can rot.

The disadvantages of this method include:

• the method cannot be used for all types of roses; it is not suitable for propagating climbing varieties;
• Only plants with straight stems can be used;
• after transplantation to a permanent place, 15% of plants die, despite a developed root system;
• There are high requirements for the planting site (no drafts and direct sunlight, nutritious soil)

Preparing a rose cutting and a potato tuber

Open ground and a home windowsill are suitable for growing. The success of the event largely depends on the choice of quality material, adherence to technology and proper preparation and implementation of the procedure.

The gardener needs to pay close attention to the preparatory stage. It should include the selection and preparation of potato tubers and rose cuttings, selection and processing of tools and potting containers.

Which potatoes to choose

The choice of potato also determines the success of the entire manipulation, since it becomes a storehouse of nutrients. The main requirement for a vegetable is freshness. Large tubers that are free of damage and disease are selected for planting. Next you should remove all the eyes. Otherwise, the vegetable will begin to sprout and take away nutrition and moisture from the cuttings.

How to choose the right cuttings

The stem of an unblown flower is suitable for cuttings. Its thickness should be more than 0.5 cm. After selection, the plant must go through the stage of preparation and processing. Thorns and leaves are removed from it so that they do not take food on themselves. The top of the stem is cut at a right angle, and the bottom is cut at a slope of 45 degrees. For pruning, it is better to use sharp pruners or scissors so as not to crush the stem.

To obtain a good cutting, use the following scheme: the upper cut should be 1 cm above the last bud, the lower cut should be 2 cm after it. The optimal number of rudiments on a cutting is 3-4 pcs. The length of the cutting should be no more than 15-20 cm.

Processing cuttings

After preparation, the plant should be treated with biostimulants. Specialized stores offer a large selection of various drugs, the most popular of which are “Kornerost”, “Kornevin” and “Gumisol-N”. The following folk methods are used:

• 1 tablespoon honey;
• a weak solution of potassium permanganate in which the plant is placed;
• 2 teaspoons of aloe juice, kept in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours;
• 1 teaspoon of wood ash.

The components are mixed with settled water at room temperature.The cuttings are kept in stimulants for at least 6 hours.

Inventory preparation

The following tools will be useful for planting roses:

• pruner;
• knife;
• spatula

If you have decided to plant a rose in a potato pot, then you should also be careful about your choice. Medium-sized containers or plastic bottles with cut off necks work well. As preparation, the vessels are treated with steam or boiling water. After which a five-centimeter layer of drainage is poured onto the bottom.

Rooting rose cuttings in potatoes

If germination is carried out in autumn or winter, then you should select containers or pots for future seedlings. In spring or summer, plants can be immediately planted in open ground. To speed up rooting, you can create a small greenhouse effect. To do this, cover with cut plastic bottles.

Pot and soil

In order for the rooting of the cutting to be successful, attention should be paid to the condition of the soil. Many stores offer ready-made soil mixture for roses. This is very convenient because it is already enriched with all the necessary useful elements.

It is also possible to select land from a garden or summer cottage plot. Mineral fertilizer and humus should be added to such soil. As a disinfectant, you can freeze the soil for several days, after which it is defrosted. To restore soil microflora, the drug “Fitosporin” or a similar product is well suited.

For disinfection, you can also use a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate. After preparing the substrate and the pot, which is also recommended to be disinfected, drainage is placed at the bottom of the container, then a layer of sand and earth. After this, you can plant the rose in potatoes.

Landing

After undergoing preparatory treatment, the cutting is stuck at a sharp angle into the potato. There is no need to pierce the tuber all the way through; it will be enough to leave the edge of the plant in the middle of the vegetable. One potato is intended for one seedling.

Next, the union is placed in a container with prepared soil. If rooting is carried out directly in open ground, then 2/3 of peat mixed with fertile soil is placed in a dug trench. Sand is poured on top, which will not allow excess moisture to accumulate. The planting procedure is carried out in the morning or evening.

Creating a greenhouse effect

The use of glass or plastic containers to cover the sprouts brings the development conditions closer to greenhouse conditions. This allows you to maintain a sufficient level of soil moisture.

The improvised greenhouse can be removed after the buds begin to grow. Before this, it is allowed to open the seedlings slightly for ventilation for short periods of time. Actions are recommended to be carried out a week after planting.

Waiting for the result

Many gardeners, having dealt with the issue, how to root a rose in potatoes, counting the days when you can enjoy the result. If the seedling has been treated with biostimulants, the first appearance of roots can be expected after 14-20 days. True roots appear approximately 4-5 weeks after planting.

Most often, gardeners receive a new plant within one season (sometimes two). This is achieved by observing all agrotechnical rules.

Possible difficulties and ways to solve them

According to statistics, 15% of cuttings do not undergo the rooting process. This is associated with certain difficulties. The most common of them:

1. The sprout has rotted. This is due to excess moisture in the pot or trench.You can try renewing the lower cut and placing the plant back into the tuber.
2. Rooting does not occur. May be caused by unsuitable soil or rose variety. For example, climbing varieties do not take root in potatoes. The technology of care may also have been violated.
3. Blackening of the cuttings. Most likely, the plant is infected. If the blackness has spread throughout the plant, then it cannot be saved. If green parts remain, the rose is treated with copper sulfate (5% solution).

Further care

Seedlings should receive good lighting, but without direct sunlight. The optimal temperature for growth is + 22…+ 24 degrees. Moderate watering is combined with spraying. Water is used that has been settled and at room temperature. It is important to ensure there are no drafts.

Growing roses in potatoes is not difficult. In addition to choosing good planting material, treatment with growth stimulants and proper planting are required. Do not forget that seedlings need careful care. In 1-2 seasons you can get a young, strong plant. The method is suitable for growing roses both in a summer cottage and in an apartment.