- Mar 20, 2013
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MinxFox -- many areas of Florida have root-knot nematodes in the soil which are detrimental to most roses. They can be discouraged with lots of organic matter added to the soil, and finished with a thick layer of organic mulch. Another option is to plant roses growing on 'Fortuniana' rootstock, which is vigorous enough to outpace nematode damage.
As far as rooting a rose, look for a seed-starting soil-less mix -- it's probably just peat moss and vermiculite. Rooting hormone can help as well. Get a clear plastic cup and poke a small hole in the bottom for drainage, then fill with the seed-starting mix and make a hole in the mix for the rose cutting. Remove all leaves except for one set, make a fresh cut at the bottom, dip into the rooting hormone (if you get it), and stick it in the hole in the seed-starting mix. Put something over the top of the rose to make a sort of min-greenhouse -- this can be a ziplock bag, or an empty soda bottle with the label removed and the bottom cut off. Put it somewhere that gets bright indirect sun, or outdoors where it gets early morning sun only, and shade the rest of the day. By using a clear plastic cup for a pot, you'll be able to see when roots start to develop without removing the cutting.
As far as rooting a rose, look for a seed-starting soil-less mix -- it's probably just peat moss and vermiculite. Rooting hormone can help as well. Get a clear plastic cup and poke a small hole in the bottom for drainage, then fill with the seed-starting mix and make a hole in the mix for the rose cutting. Remove all leaves except for one set, make a fresh cut at the bottom, dip into the rooting hormone (if you get it), and stick it in the hole in the seed-starting mix. Put something over the top of the rose to make a sort of min-greenhouse -- this can be a ziplock bag, or an empty soda bottle with the label removed and the bottom cut off. Put it somewhere that gets bright indirect sun, or outdoors where it gets early morning sun only, and shade the rest of the day. By using a clear plastic cup for a pot, you'll be able to see when roots start to develop without removing the cutting.
