Roses can be successfully grown from seed. The seeds are found in the rose hips after the flowers fade. So if you are looking for a way to propagate your favorite rose, try planting the seeds. This is a guide about growing roses from seed.
Growing roses from seeds can be a bit tricky and requires a great deal of patience. As rosemom mentioned, the seeds may not produce the same plants as the "mother" since most roses in garden centers are hybrid. Some of the prettiest roses have been "accidents" though.
A number of years ago I found rose seeds in the Thompson and Morgan catalog and decided to give it a try. The catalog cautioned that germination was slow and only a small percentage would germinate.
I filled my containers with a good potting soil, and buried the seeds to the proper depth. I misted the seeds with water, covered them with plastic wrap, and placed them under gro-lights. Misting with an aerosol bottle is key when starting seeds, since you don't want to drown the seeds and too much water in the soil will make them rot. The mister also doesn't disturb the soil.
Keep the plastic on the pots until you start to see green shoots appear. Again, it could take many weeks and even a few months, but just be patient. I had 4 roses germinate and when they were only about 6" high they produced buds. The buds were very tiny, but absolutely perfect examples of pink mini hybrid tea-type roses. I waited a few months and planted them in my garden with my other mini roses.
This is over 10 years ago and they are still growing. The key with any plant that is more difficult to start from seed is to be patient and not give up. Just have fun and enjoy the process, and if it doesn't work the first time keep trying.
By Lilly M. from NW Michigan
Can anyone tell me if you can grow roses from seed. I have been gardening for a few years and only just the other day noticed seeds falling from my rose bush. I did not know roses even had seed.
Thanks,
Sharyl
By LillyM3
10/29/2011
As rosemom said the seeds may not be the same as the "mother" plant, but that is not all bad. Many new roses started as "accidents". Many years ago I ordered some rose seeds from Thompson & Morgan; the only catalog I found that actually had rose seeds. The catalog did state that the germination is very slow and not all seeds would germinate and produce roses.
I was patient and did have 4 roses grow and bloom. They were pink mini roses and they actually bloomed when the plants were only about 6 inches high. Perfect little rose buds and roses. After they were a few months old I planted them in my garden. They are still growing and beautiful and this has been over 10 years. The key with starting plants from seeds is...don't give up and keep trying new things and have fun.
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