Chapter 19 (extract 2) of "Roses for English Gardens" by Jekyll and Mawley (1902), in which Mr Mawley describes propagation of roses by cuttings, the method of propagation favoured by amateurs.
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Illustration: Cluster rose on its own roots (propagated by cutting)
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Raising Rose Plants from Cuttings.—Now that excellent Rose plants can be obtained ready made, as it were, from the nurseries at such reasonable prices, it seems hardly worth while trying to raise them from cuttings, besides which, budding is a much more certain and quicker method of increasing a stock of Roses. To ensure the greatest measure of success the following directions may be followed with confidence, as they are the outcome of the experience of one of the most skilful raisers of own-root Roses that we have ever had. A cucumber or other cold frame should be placed on hard ground and filled with a mixture of loam, sand and leaf-mould in nearly equal proportions to the depth of six inches. This compost should be made very firm and afterwards well watered. In a few days it will be ready to receive the cuttings.
The best time to commence operations is towards the end of September. The cuttings should be taken from shoots which have borne the first crop of Roses of the year, as they will then be in the half-ripened condition required. They should not be cut from the plant but stripped off with a slight heel. The cuttings should be about four inches in length and thus prepared. All the leaves should be cut off except the two lower leaflets of the two upper leaves. They must be dibbled in and made very firm at the base or they will not strike. The cuttings should be inserted six inches apart and three inches deep, leaving the remaining inch with its leaflets to peep out above the compost. After the cuttings have been planted they should for a time be kept close, admitting a little air to prevent the leaflets damping off. In severe weather the frame must be covered with sufficient matting or other material to keep out frost, or the cuttings will be lifted by its action on the compost and so prevented from rooting. Early in May in the following year they should be taken up with a ball and potted, kept close for a time in a frame, and then gradually exposed to the air and sunshine. In August they will be ready to plant out. The Roses which best answer to this treatment are the stronger growing varieties, for the moderate growers, if they succeed at all, take a long time before they make good plants.
Rose cuttings may be struck in the open ground under a north wall or other shady spot, planting them in sandy soil as above advised; but owing to the disturbing influence of frost and other causes the percentage of successes will not be nearly so great as when they are afforded the protection of frames.
Grafting.—This method of propagation is scarcely ever employed by amateurs, and it is therefore unnecessary to describe it here. It is used by nurserymen, principally for raising pot Roses and as a rapid way of increasing the stock of any new or rare variety.
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