Planting roses in spring: how to maintain healthy cuttings throughout the winter? Top tips and tricks
Cuttings are one of the ways of propagating rose bushes. The optimal period for planting rose bushes is summer. Sometimes it happens that you have to postpone the seedlings so that the cuttings survive the winter. For example, in regions with a temperate climate, it is better to plant cuttings in the early spring, and in the south - to root them in the fall, when the soil warms up well.
In the article we will talk about how to choose the right planting material, protect it from diseases and save until the moment of planting in the spring.
Seed selection
It is important to comply with the conditions for the proper storage of rose cuttings, so that they give a good harvest after planting.
Cuttings from roses can be grown independently or bought in flower shopswhere they appear first of all the seedlings. Sometimes the time of acquisition of cuttings does not coincide with the period of their planting in open soil, for example, in the winter period.
When purchasing cuttings, you need to pay attention to the grafted branches, since the roots of such a cuttings are often closed. Their size should be no more than 5-6 mm in diameter. Leaflets should be removed before storage, but several live kidneys are necessary.You also need to pay attention to the presence of mold on the surface of the cuttings, and do not take cuttings with a break, as they may not survive until planting.
When transporting seedlings, it is necessary to wrap them first in a damp cloth, and if necessary also in a film. If the roots of the seedlings are slightly dried, they should be lowered into the water for a day. If the roots are in normal condition, then do not rush to unpack them, they must adapt to the new environment.
How to protect the sprout before planting in the spring?
To keep the stem in good condition until spring, you must adhere to certain storage rules.
Overexposure Conditions
First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the cut angles of the cuttings. The bottom cut should be cut at an acute angle, and the top should be cut at a straight angle. Before storage, both places of the cut should be rinsed with boiling water, and, if necessary, treated with a special solution. For more efficient storage, remove all leaves.. This will help them move the winter easier and not let their roots out ahead of time.
A place
- For example, you can store them in small holes, but this method is effective for a short period - 1-1.5 months. You can also keep the cuttings in a hole with a depth of 20 cm. Protective material should be laid in this hole, then the cuttings, again cover with material from above and cover with soil. It is better to mark this pit with some sign to find it in the spring.
- You can also store rose cuttings in a cool basement. To do this, you need to tie them into bundles of several pieces and sprinkle with sand. After the end of winter, carefully dig up the cuttings. If the growth is already noticeable on them, then they have wintered successfully and they can be planted.
- If the gardener does not have a basement or the nearest area for storing seedlings until spring, then they can be stored on the balcony or in the refrigerator. One of the conditions for such storage is to maintain the desired temperature and humidity. The temperature should not be higher than 0 ... +5 degrees, and humidity - about 90-95%. Cuttings need to be packed in plastic bags, but not too tight to leave access for air.
Disease protection
The most difficult part of storing rose cuttings in the winter is maintaining the necessary moisture level in the soil or air. With excessive moisture, they often rot and die. The cuttings covered with plastic bottles should be aired from time to time.. Even the appearance of leaves on them does not mean that you can water the plant as an adult, since the roots are still weak and not sufficiently strengthened.
- Leaves may dry and sometimes darken. Darkening of the leaves or stem means the occurrence of a fungal disease. Such diseases can be cured or prevented by spraying the cuttings with a solution of the biological drug phytosporin.
- In addition, cuttings can die due to root damage that occurs as a result of hypothermia. To prevent this, you can use glyocladine tablets. You can simply stick them into the soil or pour the cuttings with a solution of these tablets with water. Drafts and too small containers for storing cuttings can cause various diseases.
Caring for Preserved Plants
If the cuttings were stored in the soil in winter, then they should be opened after the snow has melted. This period falls on the end of March - the beginning of April. The first time they should be carried out in the air in cloudy weather. For protection, you can sprinkle poison from rodentswhich are activated precisely at this time and attack young shoots. The darkened cuttings should be removed, and the rest should be treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
After the soil has dried, the shoots can already be fed using organic and mineral fertilizers. A few weeks after this, you can carry out the final pruning and leave the strongest seedlings. At this time, re-treatment is carried out using solutions containing copper.
Best practices
Cuttings can be stored in various places.
In the potato
Potato is an excellent material for rooting cuttings. The starch contained in it is a useful substance necessary for the growth of flowers.
- First you need to choose smooth medium-sized potatoes and peel off the eyes.
- Then you need to make indentations in the center of each potato with a sharp nail or knife and stick the cuttings in them.
- After that, they should be placed in small containers and covered with earth.
On the balcony
You can store and grow cuttings on the balcony. At the same time, it is necessary to observe the necessary level of moisture and temperature.
- Before saving, the cuttings must be treated in the same way as in preparation for storage in the soil. You can use a box or bucket for storage.
- The bottom must be covered with a drainage layer, lay the cuttings, and sprinkle with soil on top. If the winter is not very cold, then they can be wrapped in paper and wrapped with plastic bags on top, then put into a box.
- Packed stems should be placed tightly together, and once a month you need to open and check for mold or excessive moisture.
In the open ground
Cuttings can be stored in open ground, while observing some storage conditions.
- It is necessary to place the handle in the ground at a certain angle, leaving a third on the surface.
- Then you need to cover it with a plastic bottle without a bottom and make holes on the sides. In harsh winters, it is better to cover the top with foliage.
In addition, cuttings can be stored in an earthen hole. To do this, you need to line the bottom of the hole with a cloth, lay the cuttings, cover them with the same cloth, and then fill it with earth. The main thing is to mark this place in the spring to dig up and drop off the ripened shoots.
Read more about how to save cuttings in the open ground in this video:
Possible problems and solutions
Problems in storing cuttings in the winter can arise due to improper preparation or care of them. For example, cuttings can freeze. To prevent this, it is necessary to comply with all conditions for their shelter from frost.
Besides, processes can suffer and rot from a lack of air and excess moisture. To avoid this, it is necessary to ventilate the cuttings and prevent excessive watering. It is necessary to constantly check the cuttings for mold or blackening. If necessary, you can handle the cuttings or fertilize with minerals.