Yes, I think it would work just fine. Some varieties will just naturally root easier than others but there's no way to tell which until you try. Good luck and keep us posted!

Seil, thanks so much! I think I'll give it a shot with one long stem in early spring if any of these roses survive, that way if a new plant roots it will have time to get established.

Out of curiousity, have you ever broken a bud for a new cane at the bottom of your rose? I did it today while cleaning under one of the bushes and was worried that it might lead to problems with a cut being so close to the ground, but after reading that article on "layering" a wound to root, maybe it will be fine? Thanks for any thoughts-

I have done this and it works fine! If you have some rooting hormone, you could help it along with that, but be sure to applya very thin layer. Let us know how it goes.

Vapor, great to hear, thanks! I'll have to get some more rooting hormone and give it a shot. Do you usually use the dry/dust kind or the liquid/gel kind for your roses?

In 2011 I winterized 1st-year own-root Austin rose Radio Times by dumping fluffy horse manure (pH 8) mixed with peat moss (pH 4) to achieved neutral pH. I piled that up to 4 inch around the bush, then topped with corkscrew willow branches in early Dec. Willow branches have rooting hormone. In spring I found a baby Radio Times own-root next to the mother. That own-root was twice bigger than "band-size" sold at nursery. That's accidental rooting by "layering". Rooting by layering OUTSIDE through winter is MUCH EASIER than winterizing rootings in my unheated garage.

Thanks Straw and Seil! I might give the in-ground method of simply sticking it in the ground early next Spring, when it's not too hot, and if I get the chance try it your way Straw in October or November, with extra soil and willow branches since there are so many big willow trees here :) I might cut some extra willow branches and make willow tea to try on any cuttings I can get for indoor rooting this winter too. I'll keep you all posted on how that goes if I have any successes.

I use powder which is why it's more important to only apply a bit. I've read that gels work better for various reasons. I've also rooted just sticking in the ground next to a mother plant without it and currently have about six cuttings from the Spring that I hope make it through the winter. I've found it helps if I add compost to the soil. I use and pile the mulch high on the cutting. The most important thing is to keep the humidity up which the mother plant's leaves can provide. Spring prunings work great as the plant is primed for growth at that time. The advantage of layering is that the mother plant is still feeding what will be the new cutting.

Vapor, that all makes sense, thanks for the tips. Early spring I want to try a few of these methods, once the canes are in growth mode. Will be interesting to see what makes it.

The thrill of a cutting "making it" never gets old. I check on my cuttings more than I do my roses! I have 22 varieties this year, but dread trying to get those in pots through the winter.

This is exactly how I ended up with so many The Fairy plants. The original one was too close to the walkway, so I kept the long canes inside the bed by holding them in place with a rock. They rooted wherever they touched the ground. I transplanted them all over the garden.