What is the proper way to get cuttings from a bush?

Step1Take cuttings from a rose bush by selecting stems that are straight, free of black-spot fungus and have at least four or five leaves. You will make your cuts just below one of the leaf nodes.

Step2Cut the stems with a sharp pair of bypass pruners, which will leave an open wound at the end of each cutting. Note that this differs from the normal pruning of a rose bush, which requires anvil pruners. The cuttings should have a total length of around 12 inches.

Step3Make a small vertical slit at the base of the new stem of each cutting, which will help to facilitate the rooting process. This cut should be no more than half an inch long.

Step4Remove the bottom leaves of the cuttings so that the stems can be freely inserted into the ground.

Step5Put the cuttings in a sealed plastic bag, and place them in a cool, dry place, such as a refrigerator, for at least eight hours. This will preserve the moisture inside the stems as the cut ends heal and close.

Step6Remove the rose stems from the refrigerator, and dip the ends into rooting hormone powder, which can be found at any garden-supply store or nursery.

Step7Prepare the soil where the cuttings will be planted. Use a cultivator to mix up the soil, and then gently stick the cuttings about halfway into the ground. You may want to add sphagnum peat moss or vermiculite to keep the soil from becoming too wet, causing fungus and rot. Water thoroughly.

Step8Allow at least a month for the rooting to take hold, depending upon the climate. When new leaves appear, gently pull on the cuttings to determine whether roots have sprouted. If you feel resistance, then the transplant was a success

This method can be applied to many varieties of plants. Some root more readily than others. Try. Experience is the best teacher.

which kind of bush?... it matters....

for example.... hydrangea should be taken before June

roses , as early as May

azalea , July

etc

a standard way it to take new growth of the season, that has not had a flower on it...