Propagating roses in baggie: What do I do next?

16 years ago

Hi all. I'm a long-time gardener, but very new to propagation this year.

I'm trying to propagate some cuttings from my Zephirine Drouhin climbing rose. I took cuttings about three or four weeks ago, used rooting hormone and potted them up in plastic cups with holes punched in the bottom, which I then put in large gallon baggies and have kept them sealed since, only opening to blow the bag up once in a while.

Well, lo and behold, several of my cuttings are now pushing new leaves! :D I am encouraged.

(I know this doesn't necessarily mean they have roots yet.)

My question is: What do I do now? Every site I've found seems to have a lot of detail about how to get them started, but not what to do at this point. When should I start opening the baggie a little at a time? And do you think these will continue to thrive indoors in a bright (but not too sunny) window through the winter?

Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

Connie

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Comments (6)

mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
16 years ago
You do nothing, but wait until you see roots. Hopefully, you used clear plastic cups, so you can see the roots when they start pressing against the side of the cups.
conniemcghee
Original Author
16 years ago
Unfortunately, I did not use clear cups. What should I do in this case? Just wait a certain amount of time that might be average for root formation?
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countrygirlsc, Upstate SC
16 years ago
Different roses take different lengths of times to root. I have had some root in 4 to 5 weeks and some take months. I would wait until you see roots out of the bottom of the cups. Then you must "harden" off the plants by opening the bag a little each day and watch for wilting. If the cuttings droop, close the bag. Finally you will be able to leave the bag open all day. then it will be time to take them out of the bag. I usually let them adjust for a few weeks before transplanting into a bigger pot. I have even planted a small cup straight in my garden and forgot it was in a small cup! Found it when I was going to move the rose to another place in the garden.
conniemcghee
Original Author
16 years ago
OK, that sounds good. As long as it won't hurt them to stay in the bag that long. I didn't know if when they started to produce leaves, that environment would be too humid or something. :)

That's too funny about planting the cup in your garden! :D
countrygirlsc, Upstate SC
16 years ago
I know I was surprised/shocked when I found the cup! Couldn't believe the roots on the rose was out the drain holes! I don't use the baggy method because I am too impatient for the opening th bag a little each day. I use a clear rubbermaid container with plexiglas over it as a mini greenhouse and have had great success with all sorts of cuttings. I mostly use the clear cups so you can see the roots as mentioned above. For rose cuttings I use the peat cups.
anna13
16 years ago
Connie, how are your cuttings doing? I have propagated several roses via the baggie method and was quite successful. I was able to find the original article that I used which was quite helpful. Here is the link - http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/hulse.html

I started my roses under lights in the basement and once they were rooted and in their pots I put them on a windowsill and transferred to the garden in the spring.