Can anyone explain root stock?

If you take a cutting from a rose and you are successful, will the rose be weaker than one grown on root stock?

What is a root stock?

 

A root stock is used when you want a plant to take on the attributes of another ( simplified), it is usually used to overcome a weakness that a hybrid has.

Apple trees are probably the ones a general ngardener is likely to come across. Step-over apples use a good fruiting bud which is grafted onto a root stock that restricts the growth.


They do have to be of the same family-apple onto apple root stock, rose etc-


It is a very interesting part of gardening-I haven't ever tried it, but I am learning about it.

 

"If you take a cutting from a rose and you are successful, will the rose be weaker than one grown on root stock"

In general (in the case of Roses) yes. Some varieties are/can be grown from cuttings, but not many AFAIK.

Rose stock is most commonly (I think!) just a briar rose.

 

So why do people bother taking cuttings from roses? Is it just that they won't be as disease resistant or that they won't ever develop into lovely big rose bushes. (My mum has lots of roses in her garden and she claims she hasn't bought a single one, they are all from bouquets!)

I'm just wondering because I have a rose cutting in the kitchen in a glass of water and the leaves have started to grow - so I was dead excited that I may have some success in growing a rose from my first cutting. But I can't help feeling disappointed if it won't become anything.


:(

 

"So why do people bother taking cuttings from roses?"

Same reason they take cuttings of other things I expect - doesn't cost a whole lot! I have lots of plants in my garden which started from "just a little bit" given by a friend, or that I have helped-myself-to. That has helped stretch the gardening budget considerably :thumb:

 

I would echo what has been said here and just go for it. It "might" have issues, but then again it might not, you never know til you give it a bash.

 

OK - sounds sensible. Let's hope it doesn't have too many issues - three kids and a husband have enough issues for me without finding them in the garden too!!!! :lollol:

 

Couldn't agree with you more-also three kids and a husband, I go in the garden to get away from the issues, lol.

 

Me too ..... although 4 kids ....... and sadly some of them are starting to follow me out to the garden to 'talk' to me :(

 

:skp: Hang on - no where in the parenting books does it say you have to give up refuge in the garden. I'm gonna look into electric fencing :gnthb:

 

Mine help in the garden. Commands like "Pick the strawberries" seem to be obeyed.

My psychiatrist told me to tell myself that I am not deluding myself :hehe:

 

My kids follow me everywhere I go-usually with some tale of woe or "injustice" inflicted by their Father or siblings-"Mum, Dad won't let me have an ice cream" or "Mum, Dad just shouted at me for no reason" etc. Then I have the neverending stream of questions-"Mum, can I eat this?" or "Mum is this a weed?" or "Mum, do you like being in the garden away from us?"-of course they look crestfallen when I say yes lol. The worst new game they have is where they ask ridiculous questions-"Mum, would you rather be eaten by a lion or by a crocodile?" "Mum, would you rather die in a fire or drowning?" it never ends-the electric fence idea is a marvellous suggestion-I would go a step further, and put an electronic collar on them all-low setting of course lol.

 

BRILLIANT!!! That could really catch on - especially with three boys!