Why do my rose cuttings keep dying?

Rose cuttings frequently fail due to easily preventable errors in the preparation process and subsequent care. Here are the top five reasons they fail. Poor sterilization, incorrect planting depth, temperature issues, overwatering, and humidity issues. Understanding these common mistakes will help you avoid making them. I have saved many cuttings by simply correcting some of these.

Inadequate sterilization allows harmful germs/cultures inside cuttings. Tools and containers should be scrubbed with hot, soapy water for at least ten minutes, then rinsed well before touching plant material. If you skip this fundamental rule, bacteria will infect your cuttings and destroy the new roots in almost no time.

To promote rooting, plant cuttings with ≥ 2 nodes underground. Nodes have the cellular material responsible for rooting. If the cuttings were planted too shallowly, accessible nodes began to dehydrate in the open air. Measure accurately and bury the nodes 3-4 inches deep in the soil-perlite media.

Maintain ambient temperatures between 65-85°F for optimal rooting. Temperatures below 50°F inhibit growth, while those above 90°F can cause damage to the stem. Use thermometers to record conditions. Bring cuttings inside or place them in a protected area if temperatures are forecasted below 50°F or above 90°F.

Monitor moisture levels properly to prevent mold, especially if you have overwatered. Check the soil at a depth of one inch each day using your finger. Water the plant only when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. A well-draining soil mix will prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged and suffocating the roots.

My most successful recovery was a wilted cutting that had its nodes exposed. After replanting it deeper and placing a humidity dome over it, it had developed roots in three weeks. This taught me that depth is the most critical factor of all for survival.

Read the full article: How to Grow Roses from Cuttings