Old Jar Method

• Sometimes the old ways are the best, and this way of rooting rose cuttings is probably one of the simplest and least expensive. Cut a 6-inch piece of rose branch, using a sharp knife or cutter so you don't crush the stem. Remove the leaves on the bottom half of the stem. Stick the stem in good soil in your garden, or into a pot full of potting soil. Cover the stem with a canning jar or a clear 2-liter bottle with the bottom removed. Water the soil around the jar daily to keep it constantly moist. Remove the jar after the stem has rooted and is creating new leaves.
  
  

Flower Pot and Bag

• Cut a piece of stem and scrape off a 1-inch slice from the bark at the bottom. This will give the rooting area a fresh place from which to root. Dip the scraped end into a jar of rooting powder. Stick the powdered end of the stem into a pot filled with fresh potting soil. Place a dowel in the pot in the corner, away from the stem. Water the soil thoroughly then place the entire pot and contents into a gallon plastic bag. The bag will keep the plant moist and the dowel will keep the plastic off the stem, allowing air to circulate.
  
  

Ways to Ensure Good Rooting

• Even though roses have been rooted in plain soil for centuries, there are definite steps you can take to improve the odds that the process will be successful. Cut the stem with a very sharp knife instead of a cutter or scissors that squeeze the stem. Slice off some of the stem at the bottom to give it a minor injury on the surface. Use rooting hormone powder to improve the stem's willingness to root. Mix sand or perlite with potting soil to make a lighter potting mixture. Always use clean pots, and scrub them in between rooting sessions.
  
  

Air Layering

• Air layering is a method of rooting rose stems without removing them from the mother plant until you're ready to transplant. Make a cut in the stem at least 6 inches from the top. Treat the cut with rooting power, then cover it with plastic or foil. The stem will continue to grow along with the plant, but roots will form in the cut you made in the stem. When the roots are a good size, slice off the stem below the root ball and transplant your new rose plant.