What Is the Difference Between Rosa multiflora and Roses? A Quick Guide to Telling These Two Flowers Apart

Rosa multiflora and roses look very similar and are easily confused, but their economic value differs. Below, the editor will explain the difference between Rosa multiflora and roses.

1. Differences between Rosa multiflora and roses

Branches differ: Rosa multiflora branches are relatively slender, while rose branches are short and upright;

Leaves differ: Rosa multiflora has more leaflets than roses;

Flowers differ: Rosa multiflora flowers are borne in conical corymbs, with many flowers clustered densely together and small petals, commonly white or pink. Rose flowers are generally solitary, with larger petals, commonly red, pink, yellow, white and other colors.

2. How Rosa multiflora propagates

Seeds can be used for raising seedlings, but in production, softwood cuttings from the current year's young shoots are mostly used, as they root easily. Rare and valuable varieties are harder to root from cuttings and can be propagated by layering or grafting; vegetatively propagated seedlings can bloom in the same year. For seedlings used as potted flowers, choose older branches from superior varieties and propagate them by layering, and also pay attention to pruning the main bud and carrying out artificial dwarfing. For seedlings used as cut flowers, choose varieties that can form flower-bearing mother branches and have large, brightly colored flowers.

3. How roses propagate

Sowing: This is generally used only for breeding new varieties. Place seeds harvested in autumn into a plastic bag filled with moist sandy soil, keep them in an environment where it freezes at night and thaws during the day, and after about 1 month gradually raise the temperature to about 20°C. Once the seeds crack and germinate, they can be sown (or stored in sand until sowing the following spring). When the seedlings grow 3-5 small leaves, transplant them.

Cuttings: In early spring, select newly sprouted branches, use a sharp knife to cut them from the stem base with a little wood attached, treat them with growth hormone, and insert them into a cutting bed or small pot.

Grafting: Every spring, branches of superior varieties can be grafted onto Rosa multiflora or Rosa multiflora 'Albo-plena' rootstock using cut grafting, whip-and-tongue grafting or side grafting.

Layering: During the rose growing season, notch the rose branch below a bud, bend it and bury it in moist soil, leaving the tip of the branch sticking out above the soil. When new roots grow from the notched part buried in the soil, it can be cut apart and planted separately.

Division: Generally, roses can be planted somewhat deeply or soil can be mounded around the roots to encourage new roots to grow from the bases of the various branches. When repotting, side branches that have grown new roots can be cut apart to form new plants.

Rosa multiflora and roses are still quite easy to tell apart; you can compare them in many ways, such as their flowers, branches and leaves.