semi-hard or semi-ripe means the time period between when there is already a clear cut flower bud on it, up to the point where the bloom has fallen off. before that, it is green wood, and after that it gets progressively more ripe. semi-ripe is just right for roses, it won't rot quickly like green-wood, and it roots much more quickly than ripe wood.

I'm sorry but did anyone else giggle when reading the title of this post??????????