Roses are the epitome of garden beauty, with their lush petals and intoxicating fragrance captivating gardeners everywhere.
Many dream of growing these stunning blooms at home but hesitate, fearing that roses are too difficult to cultivate and care for.
However, don’t worry, just with the right guidance, you can successfully grow roses from rose calyx, even if you’re a beginner.
Understanding the Rose Calyx
The calyx is that green, leaf-like structure at the base of a rose flower, just below the petals, acting like the flower’s little green jacket.
By taking a cutting from the calyx and giving it the proper care, you can encourage these buds to grow into a full-fledged rose bush.
The calyx is a great starting point for propagation due to those dormant buds, which are ready to burst into life under the right conditions.
Gathering Your Supplies
- Sharp Pruners, Scissors, or Knife: Disinfect with rubbing alcohol or Lysol to ensure a clean cut and prevent infections.
- Pot with Good Drainage: Around 2.5 to 5 inches deep.
- Soil Mix: A 50/50 mix of perlite and potting soil, sterile and well-balanced for air and moisture.
- Rooting Hormone
- Humidity Cover: Keep humidity high with a clear cover, like a 2-liter soda bottle, milk jug top, or clear dry-cleaning bag.
Guide on Growing Roses from Rose Calyx
Step 1: Preparing the Calyx
First, you should choose a healthy rose bush during the dormant season, ideally late winter or early spring.
Then, select a calyx 3-5 inches long with at least two buds.
Step 2: Taking the Cutting
Now, you carefully snip this calyx from the stem using clean, sharp scissors or pruners to include a small section of the stem, about 1-2 inches, just below the calyx.
To encourage faster root development, you should dip the wounded end of the calyx in rooting hormone.
Step 3: Planting the Cutting
You should fill the pot with prepared soil to keep the soil light and airy, ideal for new roots.
Then, you just insert your cutting (4 to 6 inches long) into the soil, ensuring the bottom half-inch is covered, and gently press the soil to stabilize it.
Step 4: Care for the Plant
You should water the soil lightly after planting, ensuring it’s evenly moist but not waterlogged.
In addition, you can also cover the pot with a plastic bag or a clear plastic container to create a mini greenhouse, which helps retain humidity.
Then you just place the pot in a warm spot with indirect sunlight and avoid direct sun, as it can cause the calyx to overheat and dry out.
Step 5: Waiting and Patience
Growing roses from a calyx requires patience. Over the next few weeks, you need to keep the soil moist and check for any signs of root development.
You might start to see small roots forming at the base of the calyx after about 4-6 weeks.
Don’t be discouraged if it takes longer, as roses can be slow to root.
Step 6: Transplanting
Once the roots are established and you see new growth emerging from the calyx, it’s time to transplant your new rose plant into a larger pot.
Be gentle when handling the new roots, as they’ll be delicate.
Now you plant the rose in a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and continue to water and care for it as you would any other young rose plant.
