That's hilarious! That happened to me last year. I cover mine with a pop bottle and when I finally looked it had a single bloom sticking out the top!

What varieties are you rooting there? Any secrets to getting them to take that you'd like to share? That's a pretty good success rate!

Haha! If I had used the soda bottle method, that would happen to me for sure! The one that I did transplant earlier has a flower on it, a miniature version of the plant in the garden.

I'm hesitant to share what variety it is, because I think it might still be under patent. I don't know how to check. My excuse for taking cuttings of it is that it isn't sold anywhere anymore. It is a fabulous grower with blooms throughout the summer.

I've posted my method of growing cuttings a few times, here's one of the threads: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4732438/rooting-cuttings-in-a-hot-dry-climate?n=15

I don't know if it works for other people, but it works very well for me. My other "tricks" to getting cuttings to root:

*be sure that the parent plant is well hydrated for at least a week or so before taking the cutting

*they root best if the parent plant is growing vigorously

*take the cutting from where a flower has just faded

*take the cuttings when day temperatures are in the 70-80's. Too hot and the cuttings just turn black.

*mist frequently. I have a mister on an automatic timer.

*Here's the biggest trick: take cuttings from roses that are easy to root ;-p

Thank you for all the info! It is hard if a plant isn't easily available to resist rooting it to ensure having one. Even if an online nursery lists it, it's often "out of stock". I've probably asked you for your method before, but good to have a link! : )

@noseometer I wish I had that problem! Almost every single cutting I've had has died :-/

Oh no, DLEverette! Keep trying different ways. I couldn't get a single cutting to root for years until I figured out this method that works so well for me. I haven't heard if it works for anyone else, though.