Question
We have many bushes of wild roses in our area.We were told that the deer do not like to feed on them so I would like to know if I can propagete them. I would dig them out but they are to well established.

Answer
Hi Stuart-

Yes - you can propagate them through cuttings, like the Texas Rose Rustler's do.

Well - there are several ways to do it.  If you get a rose cutting, make sure the cane you cut is about as thick as a pencil. Keep it in a wet paper towel in a baggie in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant it. Dip the bottom of it in water, then dip it in rooting hormone (can get it from Lowes or a garden center).  (If you want to do the cutting indoors), use a soiless sterile potting medium, and use a pencil to make a hole, and plant the cutting.  Mist several times daily.  Cover with plastic wrap to make a tent - use sticks to hold up the plastic.  Open the plastic once a day for 30 minutes.  Resist the temptation to pull out the cutting to check the progress - you will destroy all the microscopic roots developing in the process.  In about 6 weeks - you should see a set of new leaves, then put it outside for 2 hrs per day - increasing 2 hrs a day until it is outside 24 hrs per day, and it is acclimated to the outside.  Put it in a shady spot with bright light (no direct sunlight).  Water regularly. After it has been in the garden in a pot for about 2-3 months, then plant in the garden.
Another way you can do it is through layering.  If a rose has a long cane, bend it down, and on the end of it (about 4-6 inches from the end)cut a nick in the cane, then dip that part in rooting hormone.  Dig the soil and bury that part about 3 inches deep.  Cover with a brick or rock.  In about 6 months check back and see if roots have grown.  Sever the plant from the mother plant, and replant it in its own spot in the garden.

This past November, I took a cutting, and used the above method with the rooting hormone etc. and planted it in the ground outside (used good potting soil).  Then I cut off the bottom of a large soda plastic container, and screwed off the top.  I put the plastic soda container and over the cutting, and pressed it down in the soil, and put a little soil around it and pressed it down so it would stay put.  I watered around it.  Remember to leave the cap off.  When the temperature started to get in the 80's, I took off the soda bottle.  Now - they are doing well and blooming.

To be honest - I have had the best luck using the above method with the cut-off plastic soda containers.  But, you should do this either in late fall (in a warmer zone) or early spring in a cold zone.

Thanks,
Carlene
aka the Flowerlady