How to take cuttings from a climbing rose?

Good afternoon all.

Outside my mouse is a climbing rose. It has some history. By coincidence, our house is the childhood home of wife's friend. Wife's friend's dad (now deceased) planted the climbing rose out the front. Wife's friend is emotionally attached to it and would like it in her garden. She's asked me for a cutting. I told her she could have the whole thing if I could get it out, but that's not going to happen as its far to well established and the roots probably extend under the drive, so cuttings seems to me to be the only logical solution.

How and when should I do this to get the best chance of success please?

 

Hi Clueless,

I've not taken cuttings from my roses yet but I know other members have, hopefully somebody will be along shortly to help you out.

 

Cheers Sheal

I bet I know someone that will know. wiseowl will have the answer

 

He most likely will and I will bow to his greater knowledge, but ... in the meantime ...

Sheal suggested I take cuttings of my recently revived rose. So, I did a bit of rooting around to find out how to do it. This is what I learned:-

• cuttings should be from *this* years growth; not woody stems
• this applies to *all* types of rose
• the 'cutting' needs to be pencil thin and firm (not the floppy, floppy soft part)
• cutting should be approx. 9" long
• the "bottom" of the cutting needs to be a straight cut and taken 'below' a bud
• the "top" of the cutting needs to be on a slant and taken 'above' a bud
• then, pop the cuttings into a trench with grit/sand added to the bottom of the trench (should get shade during the hottest part of the day)
• backfill with soil and be patient for rooting to occur (can't recall how long though)
• could be done August/September time

So, if August/September is the key time ... you have plenty of time to wait for lots of answers Oh and the other thing I learned is: expect a 50/50 success rate - so do take enough!

I think that would be a lovely thing to do, Clue, because of the sentimental value of the rose. Plus, a lovely opportunity for you to practise a new technique

 

Well that's something you've taught me today 'M'.

 

Thanks "M". I have a good read and a good think and I have a plan. If I can, I'm not going to take a cutting at all. Instead I will try to tease the main stem out of the trellis and layer it. Basically that involves folding the stem down to the ground, injure the bark where it is in contact with the soil, and fold it back up skyward. Works with lots of shrubs and I've seen it work in my own garden with a wild rose, so should work with this one, and it reduces the risk of me forgetting its there and digging it over.

 

Air layering eh? I've just looked it up. Looks like it might be another option to consider if I can't find a suitable stem for ground layering, ie if not will reach the ground and I can't free them from the trellis.

 

I'd thought about digging it up Woo, but its so close to the house wall and the drive that I'm guessing I'll never be able to get the roots out unfortunately.

 

Well, layering isn't an option (at least not ground layering). I teased out the main stem from the trellis, carefully bent it into position, had sticks and tape and all sorts ready to securing it where I wanted it, then disaster, it snapped completely.

Before I tried that, I tried to divide it by sawing through the stump straight down the middle. Seems I must have somehow missed, because the bit I cut off came away easily, minus roots.

Air layering looks like it might be the only viable option. I'll try that next

 

Clueless, turn the stem that you snapped into cuttings.

 

It snapped and then a slither of bark tore most of the way up it, and then I took the huff and chucked it on the front lawn, where it remained all day in the blazing sunshine unfortunately.

 

Tomorrows another day Clueless, a fresh start and perhaps try some cuttings.

 

Sorry to be a bit late on this this thread but . . . . . . . . . . .

rose cuttings are easy!

Any rose can be rooted but some are undoubtedly easier (or harder) than others.
Old Garden shrub roses are very easy.
Ramblers are a cinch (is that how you spell it?)
Climbers are OK but not perhaps for the first timer.
Floribundas? See climber above.
Hybrid Teas are the hardest to get real success with whilst miniatures are probably the easiest.
I take dozens of cuttings every year, for my own use and also to give away to friends and to the unfortunates who listen to my demonstrations.
Attached is an extract from a 'fact sheet' that is normally available from the RNRS (rose society) - hope that helps.
Of course you can always take cuttings in the traditional way as shown in all the old text books but I don't have that much time (months and months) to waste. Cuttings can be taken at ANY time of the year in a cold greenhouse; I have some good sized plants that I struck in November/December last year. I always treat rose cuttings as I would a hardy fuchsia. Left outside in their pots over winter, they will most likely perish but once established and planted deeply in the garden they should prove hardy and grow on well. I have the rambler Princess Louise growing to 20+ft in my garden on its own roots and really healthy. Remember, rosa Lady Banks is sold ONLY as a cutting and look how well she grows!