Just one cup! Suddenly, a thousand roots appear and roses bloom all year round!

Can you imagine taking a simple rose bush branch, placing it in a “magic cup” and, a few days later, finding it full of white roots and ready to bloom? Although it sounds exaggerated, with a good combination of natural nutrients, hygiene and controlled humidity, it is possible to achieve fast and strong rooting in rose cuttings.

Instead of relying only on commercial hormones, you can use ingredients you already have in the kitchen, such as rice, carrots, garlic, and toilet paper, to create a perfect environment where branches develop many roots and grow into new plants.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

Materials Needed

• Healthy rose bush branches (moderately mature, about 15 cm).
• 5 tablespoons of uncooked rice.
• 1 fresh carrot.
• 4 cloves of garlic.
• 600 ml of clean water (approx. 2 glasses of 300 ml).
• Soft toilet paper or paper towels.
• 2–3 clean plastic cups or containers.
• 1 paper cup or cup (disposable type).
• 1 clear plastic cup or lid to cover (or plastic bag).
• Clean knife and a small spoon or toothpick to make holes.

Optional: small potato instead of carrot for those who want to try another version of the technique.

Step by step of the rooting technique

1. Choose and prepare the rose branches

1. Choose a rose bush branch that you like a lot, from a healthy plant and that blooms well.
2. It should be a stem that is neither too tender nor too woody: firm to the touch, but still somewhat green.
3. Cut pieces about 15 cm long, with at least 3–4 yolks.
4. Remove all leaves and flowers: this reduces water loss and energy is focused on forming roots.
5. If desired, go over the bottom cut diagonally, to increase the rooting surface.

2. Prepare the rice water “tonic”

1. Place 5 tablespoons of uncooked rice in a clean plastic cup.
2. Add 300 ml of clean water.
3. Mix well for 1–2 minutes, until the water is whitish.
4. Rice water releases B vitamins, minerals, and starches, which function as a source of energy for stem cells.
5. Dip the bottom of the cuttings in this water and let them soak for about 30 minutes.

3. Prepare the carrot and garlic mixture

1. Peel a fresh carrot (previously washed).
2. Reserve a thick slice of about 3 cm (you will use it later as a support).
3. Take the rest of the carrot, cut off the peel and small pieces of pulp and place them in another clean glass.
4. Peel 4 cloves of garlic, chop or cut them into thin slices and add them to the glass with carrots.
5. Add 300 ml of clean water and mix well.
6. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes to allow the water to absorb the nutrients from the carrot and the antibacterial substances from the garlic.

Carrots provide beta-carotene and antioxidants, while garlic acts as a natural disinfectant, helping to prevent fungi and bacteria that could rot the stem.

4. Filter and combine solutions

1. After the soaking time, remove the branches from the glass with rice water.
2. Filter the rice water and also the carrot and garlic mixture, using a fine sieve or a piece of clean cloth, to be left with only the liquid.
3. In a clean container, mix both solutions: you now have a single “cup” full of nutrients, energy, and natural protection against bacteria.

5. Prepare the glass with damp paper

1. Take a paper cup and place several layers of soft toilet paper or paper towels, slightly crumpled, inside.
2. Pour in the liquid mixture little by little until the paper is well moistened, but not dripping.
3. The paper will act like a sponge, keeping the moisture constant next to the base of the branch.

6. Use the carrot as a cutting support

1. With the reserved carrot slice (3 cm thick), make a central hole with the help of a toothpick or knife, just the size of the stem of the rose.
2. Insert the bottom of the branch into that hole: the carrot will give it stability and at the same time slowly release nutrients.
3. Place this slice with the branch inside the paper cup, on the wet paper.
4. Press gently so that it is firm and the base is in contact with the soaked paper.

7. Create a mini greenhouse

1. Take a clear plastic cup, cut bottle, or plastic bag and cover the top of the paper cup.
2. The idea is to form a small greenhouse that keeps the humidity and temperature more stable.
3. Make sure to leave a small air intake (a small hole or an edge that is not completely closed) to avoid excess condensation and fungus.

8. Choose the right place and wait

1. Place the set in a bright place but without direct sun: a table near a window, a covered balcony or a corner of the protected patio.
2. Avoid areas with strong drafts or excessive heat.
3. Check every 2–3 days that the paper is still wet; If it’s too dry, add a little more of the solution or clean water.
4. Between 7 and 10 days, in favorable conditions, you will begin to notice:
   • Green and plump shoots on the buds.
   • Thick white roots coming out at the base, around the carrot and paper.

9. Pot transplanting

1. When the roots are well visible and firm, it is time to transfer the cutting to a pot with good drainage.
2. Use a light substrate: for example, a mixture of coco coir, compost, and some perlite or sand.
3. Make a hole, place the cutting carefully (you can bury part of the carrot if it is firm or remove it if it has already fallen apart) and cover with substrate.
4. Water gently to settle the soil, without waterlogging.
5. Keep the plant in semi-shade for a few days and then gradually get it used to more light.

If you have any doubts, watch the following video made by Dream Rose Garden:

Watch on YouTube

Basic care of new rooted roses

• Moderate watering: the soil should be slightly moist, never waterlogged. Too much water can rot new roots.
• Adequate light: lots of clarity and soft sun. The very strong midday sun can burn tender shoots.
• Good ventilation: avoid totally enclosed places; Gently moving air reduces the risk of fungus.
• Loose substrate: if it becomes too compact, the roots suffocate. You can add more coco coir or perlite in future transplants.
• Light fertilizer: After a few weeks, when the plant is established, you can add a mild fertilizer for rose bushes or well-ripened compost.

Tips for blooming almost all year round

1. Make several cuttings at onceNot all of them will root, but with several attempts you increase the probability of success and you can have more rose bushes.
2. Renew the “magic cup”If you notice a bad smell or very dirty paper before 10 days, prepare a new solution and change the paper to avoid fungus.
3. Strategic pruning Once the rose bush is strong, trimming the tips after flowering stimulates new shoots and more flowers.
4. Remove wiltedflowers Cutting dried roses in time helps the plant not to waste energy on forming seeds and to concentrate on new blooms.
5. Protects from extreme cold or heatIn very cold winter or extremely hot summer, move the pots to more temperate areas: climate stability favors continuous flowering.
6. Observe and adjustYellow leaves, dry tips or spots usually indicate problems with watering, light or pests. The sooner you correct, the faster the plant will recover.

With this simple technique and a single “cup” of homemade nutrient solution, you can turn a simple rose bush branch into a plant full of roots and ready to bloom many times a year. It is economical, creative and perfect for those who enjoy seeing how, with a little patience and love, the garden is filled with life and color.