How to Plant Roses Inside Tomato Slices
If you want to try this technique and see how it works for your roses, here’s a step-by-step guide:

Select the Rose Cutting: Choose a healthy rose branch about 20 cm (8 inches) in length. Make sure the cutting is from a mature plant, as this will increase the chances of success. Remove the thorns from the stem to avoid injury and make the process easier.
Prepare the Tomato: Select a ripe, firm tomato. Slice it into wedges, making sure that each slice is large enough to comfortably hold the rose stem.
Insert the Rose Cutting: Take your rose cutting and insert it into the center of a tomato slice, burying it as deeply as possible without damaging the stem. The tomato should completely cover the cutting, creating a seal that retains moisture and encourages rooting.
Bury the Tomato Slice: Place the entire tomato slice with the cutting in a small pot or container filled with soil. Bury the tomato wedge so that the rose cutting is in direct contact with the soil, which will help it transition into the growing medium once it has developed roots.
Wait for Roots to Develop: After about 4-6 weeks, you’ll notice the cutting has begun to develop roots. At this point, you can remove the tomato slice (it will have decomposed by now) and transplant the newly rooted cutting into a larger pot or your garden bed.
Why It Works: Tomato as a Rooting MediumWhy It Works: Tomato as a Rooting Medium
Tomatoes are naturally high in moisture content, which is critical in keeping rose cuttings hydrated and preventing them from drying out. The acids in tomatoes are thought to have a mild disinfectant effect, which helps to prevent bacterial growth and mold on the cutting. The sugars and natural nutrients in the tomato flesh promote root development, encouraging your rose to grow stronger, healthier, and more vibrant.

In addition to providing nutrients, the tomato slice helps to create a humid microenvironment around the cutting, which helps it root faster than it would in typical soil alone. This creates an ideal “incubator” for rose propagation, allowing the cutting to transition smoothly from a branch to a fully rooted plant.

The Benefits: Healthier Roses, Faster Growth
By using this method, you may notice several benefits over traditional rose propagation techniques:

Faster rooting: The tomato slice encourages quicker root development, which means your roses will establish themselves more quickly and grow with more vigor.
Stronger plants: The added moisture and nutrients from the tomato make your roses more resilient, leading to healthier foliage and stronger blooms.
Reduced stress: The tomato slice creates an environment where the cutting is less likely to dry out, reducing transplant shock when you move the rose to its permanent home.
The Takeaway
Planting roses inside tomato slices isn’t just a quirky gardening trend—it’s a practical and effective technique that can lead to healthier, more vibrant roses. Whether you’re propagating a few cuttings or trying to rejuvenate older plants, this method has proven to be a helpful tool in rose cultivation. By providing the right conditions for your roses to take root and thrive, you’ll enjoy a garden full of blooms in no time.

Give it a try and see how your roses respond—this unique method could be the key to unlocking their full potential!