After bringing home a cut rose from the store, it miraculously started growing new shoots. It was refusing to die. So a Reddit user posted the thread: “I bought a cut rose a few weeks ago and it started to grow instead die.” to figure out what was happening.
Store Bought Roses Can Come Back to Life
To their surprise, many in the group confirmed that store-bought roses could come back to life and be grown again through various methods.
Here is the primary method, as one user points out: “usually you can cut a fresh end, dip it in rooting hormone, then put in good soil and keep it moist. That’s the general idea”
Another user confirmed this and added they used a specific brand of rooting hormone and were able to create a rosebush: “I rooted a rose from a cut flower. I put some rootone on the cut end and stuck it in a pot of regular soil. It made a rosebush. Some varieties are vigorous like that.”
Grandpa’s Creative Rooting Method & Using Fruits and Vegetables
Older generations were very wise in growing plants. One user shares how their grandpa propagated roses: “My grandpa taught me years ago that if you stick that in the ground with a jar over it for a month or so, it will take root and grow.
“It also works if you take a cutting with a Y from an existing rose. I’ve actually put one in the ground late fall and left the jar over it all winter (I live in Ohio). It bloomed the next spring.”
The jar’s purpose is to trap moisture to help the plant grow. And if outside, it will shelter the cutting from the elements.
Although, care needs to be taken if outside to avoid direct sun. The jar could trap in too much heat and kill the rose cutting. Indirect light and shade are best for most plants during rooting. As someone else pointed out: “Important addition to many peoples’ suggestions : make sure it is in dark while it roots, it will do more root growth and less leaves that way.”
Other users mentioned sticking the cut end of the rose into a potato or banana to help it root. Although, no one confirmed having experience with this.
If all of that sounds a bit confusing, and you prefer a more straightforward method, another user shared someone had success without the jar or fruit: “My friend skips the pot and sticks the stick in the garden dirt. Then, a couple of years later, she wonders where that rosebush came from….”
Rose Varieties That Work Best
There are more than 30,000 rose varieties (did you know there are blue roses and their meaning?). Each prefers a specific environment and growing conditions.
A user shared one variety that should work well for beginners using this method: “Knock out roses are some of the easiest shrubs to grow and produce constant roses from late spring all the way until, basically, the temps get consistently low or first freeze.”
Caution: Health Dangers & Poor Plant Growth
While reading this might have excited you to regrow your freshly cut roses, you should think twice.
One user highlights the health issues that could come from growing roses: “I am telling you as a warning. I have been put in the hospital from a fungus, virus, and bacteria all from roses all at once. No joke.
“They are known for their black spot, fungus, and mildews and so much more.
“A healthy rose garden often takes work- unless it is an exception. Even knockouts get probs and those are the easiest of all Rosa sp.
“Upon receiving 2 hort degrees, I never thought I would get farmers disease plus the bacteria and staph entering from a wound with gloves.
“Get rose gloves and clean everything including sheers between each plant or each cut and spray spray spray (Another thing. I never use root toner but did when I used to work with them)” So, ensure you do your homework before growing these plants and follow proper safety practices.
Growing the plant could also prove to be challenging. For example, some growers use different rootstocks, which may cause issues when you plant outdoors.
Someone points out that this can be solved with additional shelter during the first couple of winters: “Hybrid Tea roses which is what we grew for florists are usually grafted onto stronger root stocks so when you plant this one make sure it is sheltered and covered the first couple winters.”
The Plants Ending is Still to be Determined
While this rose stem looked like it was bound to come back to life magically, someone points out that it might be the plant’s last attempts before dying: “Agreed, it’s unlikely. If leaves are coming before roots then that energy had to come from somewhere. It’s using up the stored energy in the stem. It happens a lot with cut roses, they start sending out new leaves and people think it’s trying to grow into a bush.
“It’s just realized it’s going to die, it has no roots or nutrients going to the stem, so it’s trying to send out death blooms. One last attempt to reproduce and set seeds.
“Lots of people try and root when they notice this, I’ve yet to hear of any success. Not saying it’s impossible, but unlikely at this point. You want fresh cuttings of wood that’s firm but still green. And no soft fleshy new growth coming out of it.”
A Legal Loophole For Free Patented Plants
Most plant growers have patents, and they are the sole suppliers. But, one user points out they still use these plants to create new ones freely:
“My favorite part about this is it is technically illegal to take cuttings from patented roses, but this feels like a loophole.”
The best part is that the rose would die and be thrown away. So you have nothing to lose if you’re given roses as a gift. Why not experiment using these methods and see what happens?
Still not convinced? If roses aren’t your cup of tea, there are rose-colored plants that are easier to grow and just as beautiful.
You can view the complete thread about this story on Reddit. This article was originally published in Nature of Home.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.