Question
I picked some fruits from my rosebush. I would like to know if they will give roses if I plant the seeds and, if so, how to go about it?
Diane Bernier
Answer
Of course they will give roses! On the other hand, it is very likely that the plants thus obtained will not be identical to the mother plant. Most roses that we cultivate are hybrids and have a very mixed genetic background. Plus, who knows which rose bush is the baby’s other lucky parent? Indeed, bees can go from flower to flower, bringing with them the pollen of several different rose bushes!
Growing Roses From Seed
To grow roses from seed:
- Crush a ripe fruit (rose hip) and remove the seeds.
- Rinse them under running water to remove any remaining flesh.
- If you’ll be storing them for later planting, place them on an absorbent surface and let them dry off first.
- Sow them outside, barely covering them. It’s best to do this in the fall. The majority of roses need to go through a cold period to germinate. You could also sow them in a pot and then place the pot in the refrigerator for three months.
- In the spring, with the return of warm weather, or when you take the pot out of the fridge, small plants will grow.
- Plant them out in a sunny, well-drained location. Roses are tolerant of heavy clay soils, at least as long as the drainage is reasonable.
Arm Yourself With Patience
Usually, your roses won’t produce flowers for two or even three years when you grow them from seed.
To increase blooming, apply a slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring. Apply again after the first bloom. In mild climates where roses flower most of the year, a third application at the end of August may also be worthwhile.
Maintenance
In times of drought, roses appreciate deep watering. Try watering them with a soaker hose or drip irrigation system. Both water the soil without wetting the leaves, the ideal situation for preventing rose diseases, as they tend to occur mostly on wet leaves.
Note too that it’s also possible to grow your own roses from cuttings and that these will be identical to the mother plant!