The followings steps are what John uses to root rose cuttings, but can also be used to root almost any type of plant cutting.
1. Prepare your materials: Cut the bottom out of a 2-liter soda bottle and remove the label. Fill a 1-gallon pot or suitable container that has drainage holes with Perlite and water until Perlite is completely moist.
2. Mix rooting compound: Mix 1 capful of Wood’s Rooting Compound to every 10 capfuls of water. I usually use 2 capfuls compound to 20 capfuls of water. This makes it easy to dip the cuttings and will suffice for over 100 cuttings. The solution cannot be stored after it is mixed, so only mix what you need. Wood’s contains two powerful rooting hormones and is essential to have a good percentage of cuttings initiate root growth.
3. Prepare your cuttings: I am usually most successful with hardwood shoulder cuttings. The picture shows where the ”shoulder” attaches to a stem; use the piece on the right to root. This area seems to root easier than other areas.
4. Make a ¼” perpendicular cutting up the stem. This exposes more surface area to the rooting compound and increases root potential.
5. Dip the bottom inch of the cutting in the rooting solution and then push into the pot of Perlite. I usually put about 10 cuttings in one pot since some will not root.
6. Cover the cuttings with the soda bottle and place in a well lit area, but out of direct sun.
7. This picture shows a cutting beginning to callus over after a few weeks. This is a good sign. Roots should quickly follow.
8. Once roots have formed, the cutting can be potted into a small liner pot (about 2" dia.). Do not use too large a pot or rotting may occur. I use a mix of a good potting soil to which I add 15% more Perlite and 15-20% Denali Gold.
9. Once the plant roots have filled out the small pot, the rose can be moved to a gallon container.
10. After a few months in a 1 gallon container, the plant can be moved to a larger container or planted in the ground
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