Roses flower in spring, and there are lots of ways to help enrich them to ensure they bloom beautifully, but a little-known hack could be the key.
Gardeners can give their rose cuttings the perfect start they need to thrive through the winter and blossom by spring by using a store cupboard essential, potatoes.
For £1.44, which is the average cost of a bag of spuds in the UK, you’ll have the most amazing blooms next year, according to Angela DeMaio, a flower specialist at Bouquet Casting Co.
The expert said: “Potatoes create an ideal environment for rose cuttings to grow strong roots. Their natural moisture content keeps the stems hydrated, while the nutrients help the plant establish itself.”
November is the perfect time to take hardwood cuttings from this year’s growth, according to the expert who also said cuttings are the easiest way to grow new plants and expand your garden.
The expert explained: “Select a fresh stem from your rose bush that’s at least 20cm long. Next, remove any flowers and leaves to prepare the cutting.
“Insert the base of the stem into half a potato and plant the potato with the stem directly into the soil.
“Having a solid base like a potato provides essential moisture and nutrients, so you don’t have to put in as much effort to ensure the rose takes root.
“This method also protects the cutting in environments where new stems would struggle to grow naturally.”
As the cutting establishes itself, the potato will begin to decompose, enriching the soil around it.
It can take five to six weeks for the cuttings to develop roots, which is why it’s a good idea to get ahead and do this job now.
Angela added: “By using potatoes, you’re essentially creating a nutrient-rich incubator for your rose cuttings, giving them the best possible start.”
As well as potatoes, coffee grounds can be used when it comes to planting roses in containers as they contain lots of nutrients.
Simply sprinkle some ground coffee into the soil or on top of the soil to enjoy a thriving rose plant.
