Grow Roses From Seeds
~ CULTIVATE YOUR VERY OWN UNIQUE ROSE VARIETIES ~
Roses are one of the easiest plants to propagate. You can choose to propagate roses from cuttings from your favourite plants or from the seeds you have collected from your rose garden. If you wish to replicate or make multiple plants of the one rose variety it is as easy as taking a cutting, popping it into a pot filled with a good quality potting mix, giving it some water and there you have it… you will have the exact same rose variety growing in no time at all.
On the other hand, if you wish to be a little more adventurous and have some fun in the process, you can grow roses from seeds and develop your very own and unique new varieties of roses.
Be aware that it does take longer to grow roses from seed and sometimes germination can be a little erratic, but ultimately it is extremely rewarding.
So here is how it’s done:
1 Leave rose flowers on the plants to mature. The petals will shrivel and then small fruit called rosehips will form.
2 When the rosehips ripen and turn a deep red, orange, brown or purple colour they can be cut off and collected.
3 Don’t let the rosehips completely dry out as the seeds may not be viable when they have dried. Carefully cut open the rosehips and take out the seeds.
4 Gently clean the seeds in a sieve with running water to remove any pulp. Be careful not to scrape the seeds and damage them.
5 At this stage you can test the seeds for viability by placing them in a small glass of water. Remove all the seeds that float to the top. It is most likely that these will not germinate. You will have a better chance with the seeds that sink to the bottom.
6 It is best to plant these rose seeds straight away into pots or containers filled with a good quality, free draining, sterile seed starting mix.
7 Sow the rose seeds on the surface and only just cover them with a light sprinkling of soil. Press down gently.
8 Place your pots or containers outside to overwinter in a sheltered position. Against a wall would be ideal. Cover with flyscreen mesh to protect against birds and pests. Water when needed.
9 In the Springtime when the weather begins to warm up you will see your seeds begin to germinate and your new rose plants begin to grow. At this time you can also bring your pots indoors to a warm position to help with germination.
10 When your rose seedlings are large enough to handle they can be transplanted into larger pots.
Each new rose seedling that grows will be a surprise… Have lots of fun naming your new rose varieties!
