How to Air Layer Roses

How to air layer roses is one of the various vegetative methods for propagating roses. Whether the parent is a species rose, modern hybrids or already grafted onto rootstock will influence the propagation method used. Other techniques include bud grafting onto a rootstock (which we’ll look at in another Plews blog).

What is Air Layering?

Air layering is a method of propagating new trees and shrubs from stems still attached to the parent plant. Which means that it is suitable for many plants, not just roses.
It is one of the oldest forms of vegetative propagation, with records dating back to some 4000 years ago in China. In fact, the continued use of air layering in that country over the millennia has led to the traditional term ‘Chinese layering’.
However, it is not the first method that springs to mind for propagating roses. Indeed it is a method more commonly used for Magnolia and Citrus trees. The benefits of this technique for roses are: –

It can be carried out in both spring and in late summer / early autumn. If only short notice is given that roses need to be propagated (perhaps because you’re moving house) this could be really useful
The process is fairly simple for a novice gardener to carry out
It is suitable for a wide range of rose types, including climbers, modern hybrid teas and species roses

Before preparing the stem, get together the necessary equipment: –

Secateurs and / or sharp knife
Coir or sphagnum moss. I like to pre wet this whilst preparing the stem, but it may take longer to absorb water if it’s very dry to begin with.
Black plastic or silver foil or hessian.
Small plastic water bottle – cut a slit down one side from top to bottom, plus cut out a hole in the base just big enough for the stem to fit through. The slit needs to meet up with the hole so the bottle can be fitted to the stem.
Ties, weather proof adhesive tape or twine – for holding the ‘package’ or bottle firmly onto the stem. Ties make it easier to remove and check on progress.

Air Layering – Garden Teacher Tip

Light can encourage the growth of algae within the rooting ‘package’, which will damage the emerging roots. Black plastic is wrapped round to prevent sunlight entering. Silver foil is sometimes used for the same purpose.
Using a bottle isn’t essential. However, it makes it easier to keep the coir or moss packed around the rose stem during the rooting process. And when it comes to removing the rooted section from the parent, everything is kept tidily in place, preventing collateral damage to the new roots.
More eco-friendly alternatives to the above include wrapping the coir around with

hessian
scrap fabric
used potting compost bags, cut into strips
waxed cotton

One of the issues with only using fabric or hessian is that the they will themselves get wet when it rains and may cause algae growth or the stem to snap under the extra weight. Likewise when the weather is dry the package may need watering.

Preparing the Rose Stem

How to air layer roses step by step begins with choosing an unpruned stem. Straight stems are easier to prepare, but most importantly choose a healthy, vigorous stem.
When carrying out the process in spring, choose a stem of the previous season’s growth.
In late summer/ early autumn use a hardening shoot (greenwood) stem of the current season’s growth.
The section to be air layered is about 6 inches behind the growing tip. Remove all side shoots and leaves in this area, to leave 3-4 inches of bare stem. Be sure to leave the foliage on the stem above and below this section.
Girdle the stem at this point by carefully removing a ring of the outer layer about ½ inch wide to expose the cambium layer beneath. In autumn take care not to snap the more pliable stem.

Girdling the stem encourages the build-up of hormones and food in this area, which encourages the rooting process. Apply hormone rooting powder to the exposed stem. This gives an initial boost: the last thing needed is for the plant to ‘scab over’ the wounded area!

Creating the right conditions for Air Layering

Next take a couple of handfuls of pre-soaked coir and squeeze any excess water from it; knead this into a ball.
Gently split the ball as if you were splitting an orange and wrap the two halves around the treated area of the rose stem. Gently knead them together again so the area is fully covered.
Then either wrap black plastic / waxed cotton around the coir and secure with ties or tape at each end. It is important that the coir does not become waterlogged. Or, if a bottle is being used, pack the coir into the bottle and then fit to the rose stem. Generally its easier not to overfill, but to add more once the bottle is around the stem.
We now have a covering package around the stem which will retain enough moisture and warmth within to encourage rooting.

Care during the propagation process

Roses propagated by air layering later in the season are unlikely to show much signs of roots until late the following spring. Those which are air layered in spring should show roots within a couple of months. However the layered stem will take at least a growing season to develop strong roots.
Checking on progress is essential. Testing that the coir is damp, and that there is no algae is just as important as looking for signs of roots. Small white nodules on the stem are the early sign of root formation.
These regular checks are often easier to carry out if the bottle method has been used as it only needs to be slightly prised apart rather than fully removed.

Garden Teacher Tip

If the rose is taking a while to root, then check that you have excluded sunlight. This can be a problem with the bottle method so adding a layer of dark fabric over the top should be helpful.

How to Air Layer Roses – Removal of the air layered Rose from its Parent

The best time to remove the layered stem from the parent is in early spring, but the more important criteria is that there should be healthy and sufficient roots which are visible through the coir.

Firstly prune off new growth above the air layered section (I like to leave on two sets of leaves above)
Leave the coir on the roots
Remove the covering
Cut through the stem just below the rooted section

Planting the new Rose

Getting the air layered Rose to successfully establish in to a soil based medium is probably the trickiest part of the process. This is because the roots have been used to growing in a much less dense media than soil and take time to adjust.
Therefore, the new rose will need to be grown on in a pot until large enough to plant in the soil. Use a free draining potting compost such as John Innes no 1 mix, using peat free alternatives.

How to plant

Slightly loosen the coir. Place rooted layer into the pot, ensuring roots make contact with the potting compost without over firming which would compress and potentially damage the roots.
Water it in then label with the variety and when propagated.
The rose may benefit from being grown on in a protected environment until established. Having spent time getting this far, it pays to be patient a little longer! Remember if initially grown on under cover, the rose will need to be hardened off before planting out into the ground.

and finally

How to air layer roses may sound complicated but by following the steps above there’s no reason why you shouldn’t succeed even if you’re fairly new to gardening. Propagating plants form your garden for you garden is highly satisfying and a favourite topic in Plews gardening courses.

Remember to check for Plant Breeders Rights, marked as PBR on the plant label. You are generally fine propagating for use in your own garden; its commercial use, ie selling on the propagated plants that is the issue.

For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below and our monthly Tipsheet – You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.