Give Your Roses a Boost: Propagating with Aloe Vera

Rose bushes, with their fragrant blooms and elegant beauty, are a cherished addition to any garden. But what if you could easily multiply your favorite rose varieties without breaking the bank? Enter the surprising hero: aloe vera! This succulent plant, known for its soothing properties, can also act as a natural rooting hormone for propagating roses from cuttings.

Here’s how to unlock the power of aloe vera and give your rose propagation a boost:

Gather Your Supplies:

• Healthy rose bush (ideally in bloom)
• Sharp pruning shears
• Potting mix suitable for roses
• Small pots with drainage holes
• Aloe vera leaf (freshly cut)
• Transparent plastic bag (optional)

Taking the Cuttings:

1. Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem from your rose bush. Look for a stem that’s slightly woody but still flexible, around 6-8 inches long.
2. Locate a bud eye (a small bump) on the stem. Make a clean, angled cut just below the bud eye using your sharp pruning shears.
3. Remove all leaves except for the topmost two or three.

Aloe Vera Magic:

1. Extract the gel from your aloe vera leaf. You can either peel off the skin or slice the leaf lengthwise and scoop out the gel.
2. Dip the bottom inch of your rose stem cutting into the fresh aloe vera gel, coating it evenly.

Planting for Success:

1. Fill your small pots with the potting mix.
2. Make a hole in the center of the mix deep enough to accommodate half the length of the cutting.
3. Gently insert the aloe vera-coated stem end of the rose cutting into the prepared hole.
4. Firm the potting mix around the base of the cutting to ensure good support.

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