I have done both. I love the thrill of propagation, but you just have to be patient for the blooms. For instant gratification I buy a nice bush.

I'm too impatient ..and with our cold weather its just too much work...so I just buy another

Both. For reasons Kristy has mentioned. Also, some roses are much more difficult to root, either failing to root or taking a growing season to root, then another growing season to get to a size large enough to plant in the garden. If I want another of those I buy one and save 2 years.

Unless I am planting a large area where I need more plants of a particular variety, I root plants on my own. My growing season is so long that I usually get flowers the first year I take a cutting. I have four Candice roses that I started from cuttings this year and they are already producing blooms. I will plant them in the front yard in the early spring of 2018.

I am going to attempt rooting of cuttings because I want additional plants of some my roses and have I patience. So far, I have only purchased roses.

I have been researching the topic and seeking advice from those who garden in the very hot and dry regarding the best method for starting cuttings. What is most successful for you mustbnuts... if you do not mind my asking?

Most of mine are patent protected so I've been mainly buying new. However, I did successfully root multiple Mme. N. Levavasseur's, a New Dawn, Zepherine Drouhain, Cecile Brunner and an as yet unknown climber. I've got tons of cuttings this year and intend to use some my ARE plants when they're big enough. I think it's fun to do and really feels like an accomplishment, although it does take some time if you don't just stick it in the ground with a cover. I think my growing season isn't long enough for that, although I'm all ears if anyone says otherwise! : )

mustbnuts, I'm so jealous that you even have one Candice much less multiples after having my Ludwig's order cancelled. I'd be open to an "arrangement" on that one. : )

Vaporvac, your growing season is fine for rooting outside. The biggest issue is getting the new roses through their first winter.

Thank you m-g. That's what I'm afraid of. Last winter, I stuck my little rootings in a cool solarium with some additional lighting for the dark afternoons and earlier evenings and they came through like champs.

Rooting is fun but not all roses will do well on their own roots. Give it a good three or four years to see if the variety will do well on its own roots and then if not go buy a new one that's grafted. Also you need to know that you can only legally propagate roses that are out of patent. Patents last 20 years so all the older varieties are fine but you shouldn't be propagating any of the newer ones.

Desert, I take cuttings in late winter, early spring. When I am pruning my roses for the spring, I will take a piece of the cane that I cut and have it be about 6 inches long or so. Make sure they do have at least two or three or more eyes on the canes. I shove the cane into the ground about two inches or I sometimes use potting soil. That is it. I sit back and watch them grow. Make sure they stay moist.

Now, not everything will grow as Seil states, but I have had very good luck with Candice, Lavender Crystal and with Brother Cadfael. I figure since all of my roses are own root, that I have a fighting chance since they grew from/on their own roots already. I know that my Wedding Cake is extremely difficult to grow on its own root.

I've heard that patent protection only applies if you are selling those cuttings and that if you are only propagating for your own use, it doesn't matter. Is this true?

I think it applies to any propagation.

Great question Noseometer!!

My thought has been that cuttings from roses under patent cannot be sent to others, but I am not 100% sure about cuttings for our own use. My instincts say no, we cannot take cuttings of anything under patent, even if it is for our own garden, but if I am incorrect...

My understanding is that it doesn't matter whether or not you are going to share or sell them it is still illegal to reproduce or propagate a patented rose.

It's illegal to propagate any plant under patent whether you intend to distribute or not (although distribution is even more of a no no). Many plant tags say "Asexual reproduction of this plant is prohibited by law" which means propagating it is illegal no matter the intention, unfortunately.

That being said, I do root many of my own roses some of which I don't even know the variety. Mostly for experimental purposes, to see which methods work best etc. As it turns out, the ones that root the easiest tend to do well on their own roots. Those that are difficult to root tend to have weak root systems and are therefore not great on their own roots anyway...so it's kind of a win win. If it roots well it will grow well. If not, it's not worth it anyway.

Quick web search on plant patent (click for link to Oregon State University page):

"If a plant is patented, a license is required from the patent holder in order to make cuttings of that plant, even if it is planted in your own back yard. Unlike with a copyright, there is no concept of “fair use rights” for patents in the United States."