ROSE CUTTINGS:
The best time for cuttings I have found is mid May-mid June, in potting mix
with lowish fertiliser to start with,supplement feed later. Use hardwood
hormone and remove any leaves. Plant in polythene planter bags on free
draining base(sand but not gravel), and grease top cuts with pruning
compound.This is best done outside in sheltered sunny place with natural
water, supplementing in dry weather(4 days without rain).
Prepare budding stocks similarly or in the ground where they are to
grow. Use 'Belle De Crecy' or 'De la Grifferine' or 'Cecile Brunner' for
rootstock or iff you can find a virus free sucker that has got away.
When making cuttings (about 20cm or 8 Inches long) remove all but the top two or
three buds cleanly to prevent suckering and treat as above. Plant june/decmber(northern hemisphere)
bud nov.-jan./may-july(northern hemisphere), on the clean stem. Tip the growth that comes from the
applied bud when 10-15cm (4 - 6")long to strengthen the union. The varieties I quoted as rootstock are relatively thornless so makes
them better to handle. Seedlings take too long to get to grafting
size.Use the same stock for standards, just use longer cuttings,
greasing the scars where you cut out the eyes up the stem an still leave
only 3 or 4 eyes at the top. If you can whip+tongue graft take all the
eyes off and graft a scion in the top and tie with black insulation tape
. Do this in june-mid july(dec-jan northern hemisphere) and put in a sunny spot and by spring the
union will form and the scion will come into growth and flower, but remember to tip it at 4 - 6" long.
Leave the tape on till early december (june).