Roses are one of the most popular flowers on the planet, but growing new plants can be a challenging process.
One of the methods of propagating roses is budding, which allows you to create exact copies of the parent rose.
What is budding?
Budding is a method where you take a branch of the rose you want to propagate (called the “cultivar”) and attach it to another rose branch (called the “rootstock”). The result is that the rootstock plant supports and provides nutrition to the baby plant. You end up with a new rose that is an exact replica of your original.
What you will need
1. Varietal material (select a healthy and undamaged branch with a diameter of about 6 mm and a length of 10-15 cm).
2. Rootstock (select a healthy and well-developed rose branch).
3. A sharp knife or pruning shears.
4. Pieces of film.
5. Rubber bands.
Preparing the rose rootstock
Select a healthy and well-developed rose branch and cut it to a length of about 10 cm. At the top, make a diagonal cut at a 45-degree angle to create a groove. Then make a second horizontal cut about 1 cm from the first. You should get a groove that will have room to insert the varietal material.
Preparation of varietal material
Select a healthy and undamaged branch with a diameter of about 6 mm and a length of 10-15 cm. At the top, at a height of about 2.5 cm from the end of the branch, make one horizontal cut to create a wedge shape. Then make another cut at the same point.
Budding
Insert the end of the wedge of the variety stock into the groove of the rootstock and make sure it is firmly and securely in place. Then wrap the joint with a rubber band to secure the branch and protect it from the elements.
Caring for a new rose
After budding, remove the film that you used to cover the junction. The new rose will begin to grow within a few weeks.
During this period, check regularly to ensure the joint remains protected and remove any shoots that begin to grow around it.
Also, do not forget to provide the plant with enough light, water and nutrients. Before winter, make sure that the plant is well prepared for the cold, for example, by covering it with special materials.
Budding is a great way to propagate roses. Follow these simple instructions and you will get a healthy and beautiful rose that is a copy of your favorite parent rose.
