Potatoes are the secret to hard-to-grow rose varieties. - by Better Homes and Gardens
If you’re struggling to propagate roses the usual way, you can try a clever trick: growing rose cuttings in a potato.
WATCH: Charlie Albone shows you how to transplant a rose
The theory behind this trick is that the potato will keep the cutting moist and provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to thrive. As the plant grows the potato will break down naturally, nourishing the soil.
How to grow rose clippings in potatoes
Just follow this step-by-step process to enjoy a bounty of fragrant roses in your garden.
Will growing rose cuttings in a potato really work?
Yes, growing rose cuttings in a potato can really work. While some may say that growing rose cuttings in a potato is a myth (or, at the very least, an unnecessary extra step), the truth is potatoes generally have a high water content, which will help keep the cutting moist and increase the chances of the plant taking root and flourishing in your garden.
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What you'll need:
- A firm, healthy potato
- A 200mm long clipping from a mature rose bush (kept moist in a bucket of water)
- A drill or corkscrew
- Sharp clippers
- Hormone gel, such as Yates Clonex Rooting Hormone Gel (or honey)
Step 1
Prepare the potato by carving out a hole that's slightly smaller than your cutting. A drill is handy for this step but if you don't have one, a corkscrew works just as well. Just be careful not to go all the way through the potato.
Step 2
Grab a rose cutting and trim 10mm off the end, cutting diagonally. Step 3
Dip the end in a hormone gel or dust. Alternatively, honey (or even Vegemite) will do the trick. Place the end into the hole in the potato.
Step 4
Plant the potato and the rose clipping into the ground with at least three inches of good soil covering it.
For a detailed look at how to grow rose clippings in a potato, watch the video below:
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