Gardeners dreaming of endless blooms without spending a fortune at the garden centre have been handed a simple step-by-step method dating back thousands of years.
Anya Lautenbach, gardening guru and money-saving expert known as @anyathegardenfairy on TikTok, has revealed an ancient propagation technique that can create an unlimited supply of roses, with nothing more than a plastic bag, some compost, and string.
She explained that the best time to try the method is in autumn or spring, when plants are at their most receptive. The process, known as air layering, has been used for more than 4,000 years.
To begin, gardeners should carefully scrape away around 1.5cm of bark from a healthy, pencil-thick rose stem.
A piece of black plastic or foil should then be wrapped around the wound, secured tightly with twine, and filled with peat-free compost. The gardener advised against using clear plastic, saying: "A see-through bag is no good."
The compost must be pressed so it makes direct contact with the cut section of the stem before the bag is fully tied off. From then on, simply water the makeshift planter occasionally to keep it moist, though Anya said there's no need to water in winter.
Within four to six months, roots will form inside the wrapped compost. Once strong enough, the new plant can be cut away from the parent and replanted, giving gardeners a fresh rose bush at virtually no cost.
Anya, who regularly shares tips on budget-friendly gardening, said: "This is one of my favourite forms of propagation, dating back to 4,000 years ago.
"I love it because it only takes five minutes of my time, and all the magic happens in the background. Unwrapping the bag after a few months is truly amazing. It feels like unwrapping the most precious gift."
The technique has left many of her followers eager to try it at home, with comments praising it as a "genius" and "game-changing" hack for anyone looking to fill their garden with blooms without breaking the bank.
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