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.
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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