Can Peat Moss grow in the Middle East? What is Perlite? How do i progagate roses by cuttings?

Question

All people mention willow or peat moss regarding the propagation technique, but the thing is that the real deal is in d care after the cutting is taken. I mean these people make it sound like a piece of cake but it isn't. Roses get damp n rott + they never mention how long u have to keep ur cuttings in the rooting hormone either or the willow solution. thanks!!!

Answer 1

Peat moss is a moss that grows in wet places, and whose partially decomposed remains form peat. Genus Sphagnum, hence the name Sphagnum peat moss.

There are sedge mosses sometimes sold as peat moss, but they are incorrectly labeled. Sedge mosses or partially decomposed sedges almost black in color and may feel a bit clayey. Sphagnum peat is reddish brown and contains the most undecomposed material of all the "peat mosses." Sphagnum is most often found in colder, wetter climates, in particular Canada and upper Michigan. For years Germany had a wonder sphagnum, but they've "mined" it out. Middle East peat would have to come from a cooler, wetter climate.....maybe up around the Turkey border where there are mountains.....I don't think the mountains in Lebanon would support peat, but who knows.

As for perlite, there are several mines in New Mexico. It's a natural product formed during volcanic activity....water gets into the magma and forms the "popcorn."

Locally, rosarians do propagate from cuttings. They take the cuttings from new wood that has a few months on it....say in July. After dipping in rooting hormone, they put the cuttings in a peat/perlite bed with a glass jar over the top and the end tipped up for ventilation. Obviously the propagation beds are in the shade. By fall the plants have sufficient roots to be potted up and carried over winter or put into planting beds, mulched and covered.

Another thought is to take the cuttings, bundle them together in barely moist moss and chill them for about six weeks. Then after the rooting hormone, set into a warm propagation bed.

Others layer, that is they nick the cane, treat with rooting hormone and then put the nicked spot under the soil, holding it down. When it roots, they remove it with the roots. Easily done with carpet roses, but upright canes may require having a pot with soil under the cane......all very strange to me.
The willow water is said to aid in rooting. I'm neutral on that.

What rooting powder are you using? They come in various strengths....depending if you are doing soft wood or hard wood cuttings and the plant.

If you are getting damping off, your cutting or rooting medium is infected and the cuttings are being kept too moist.

Answer 2

Peat Moss doesn't grow. It is created over many years by the decomposition of natural material in a damp setting. I wouldn't propogate roses by cuttings. I find that layering works real well. Perlite is actually volcanic glass that has expanded due to heat.