Here is a simple and effective natural method of propagating roses by cuttings. This combination helps to disinfect, stimulate root development, and provide a quick energy boost to the cuttings during their initial adaptation phase.
Rose Cutting Propagation
1. Prepare the cutting
First, you need to prepare a healthy rose cutting, free from pests and diseases, and of the right age. This is a crucial factor determining the success rate.
Cuttings that are too young tend to wilt easily and have difficulty rooting, while cuttings that are too old recover slowly.
2. Remove leaves and thorns
After selecting a suitable cutting, remove all leaves and thorns, and also remove any old or withered petals. This minimizes water loss, allowing the cutting to concentrate energy on nourishing the base and forming new roots.
3. Trim and score the base
Trim the cutting, leaving it at a length of about 20 cm. At the base of the branch, trim away a thin layer of bark.
This trimming stimulates the meristematic tissue to become more active, allowing new roots to form more easily and grow quickly and evenly.
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4. Ginger soak
After preparing the flower branch, move on to soaking it in ginger water. Prepare a piece of fresh ginger, wash it thoroughly to remove dirt and impurities, then cut off about 15 grams.
Ginger has warming properties and excellent natural antibacterial and antifungal capabilities, helping to protect the cut of the flower branch from bacteria that cause root rot. Chop the ginger finely and put it in a clean plastic cup, add 500 ml of clean water, and stir well.
Soak the rose branch in the ginger water for about 30 minutes. During this time, the active ingredients from the ginger will gradually penetrate the base and stem of the branch, creating a natural “armor” that helps the flower branch become healthier when it enters the rooting stage.
5. Aloe and cola mix
While waiting for the flower branch to soak in ginger water, prepare the aloe vera and Coca-Cola mixture. Take a fresh aloe vera leaf, wash it thoroughly, then completely remove the green outer layer, keeping only the transparent flesh.
Chop this aloe vera flesh into small pieces and place it in a clean glass jar. Aloe vera contains many enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that help moisturize, soothe plant tissue, and stimulate root cell regeneration.
Next, open a can of Coca-Cola and pour it directly into the glass jar containing the aloe vera. Coca-Cola provides a small amount of sugar and mild acid which helps stimulate the biological activity of the root tissue in the initial stage.
Let this mixture sit for about 30 minutes to allow the ingredients to blend. For extra ideas, see more on cola.
6. Jar and foam setup
Prepare a clean glass jar and a piece of foam. Cut the foam to fit snugly over the mouth of the glass jar.
7. Combine and seal
Once the time is up, remove the rose stem from the ginger water. Filter the ginger solution into a larger, clean plastic cup, discarding all the pulp.
Pour the Coca-Cola-aloe vera solution into the ginger solution and stir well to create a homogeneous mixture. This solution has both antibacterial properties and provides the necessary moisture and energy for the rose stem during the rooting stage.
Pour the ginger-aloe vera-coca solution into the jar until it’s full. Insert the rose stem through the center of the foam, then use the foam to seal the jar, ensuring the base of the stem is completely submerged in the solution.
The foam helps to stabilize the stem, keeping it upright and preventing bacteria from entering the solution.
8. Create humidity
Wrap the entire glass jar and rose stem in a clear plastic bag or cup. This wrapping creates a stable, humid environment, similar to a small greenhouse, ideal for root formation.
9. Placement and light
Place the jar in a cool, airy place, away from strong winds and harsh sunlight. Diffused light is best for the stem’s development during this stage.
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10. Check progress
After about 10 days, if you observe carefully, you will see very encouraging signs. From the base of the branch, many new roots begin to sprout, white, thick, and succulent, firmly gripping the solution.
At the same time, fresh green shoots appear on the branch, indicating that the branch has adapted well and begun a new growth process.
11. Potting up
Once the roots are strong enough, you can gently transfer the rose branch to a pot with good drainage, using treated river sand as the initial growing medium to ensure stable growth.
Why this works in Rose Cutting Propagation
The method of propagating rose cuttings using a combination of ginger, aloe vera, and Coca-Cola is an innovative approach that still adheres to natural biological principles. Ginger helps protect and disinfect, aloe vera retains moisture and regenerates root tissue, and Coca-Cola acts as an initial energy source.
By following each step carefully and patiently, you will not only have healthy rose plants but also gain valuable experience in plant care.
Final Thoughts
The greatest joy for a gardener lies not only in the final result, but also in observing the cuttings gradually revive, root, sprout, and grow strong. This patience, gentleness, and meticulousness will help you connect more deeply with nature.
Each plant in your garden is not just a plant, but also the result of your persistent care, love, and passion over time.