What to look for in rose plants
*
What do I need to look for in a rose plant. What happens if the stems have their shoots coming out. I saw some at costco (just arrived), most of them are dormant. It is pretty cold here at the moment, and will not be planted for another month maybe, how would I look after them?
Print this page
Email this MessageNavigation
Recent Discussions
Orchids 6 replies
Welcome to my garden 4 replies
What is this plant? 3 replies
Unsure of this plant 1 reply
Cinderella plants 1 reply
Cumulative Index 1 reply
Daylilies Anyone ? 10 replies
would like any seeds 2 replies
Morning Glory seeds 2 replies
Who Wants Foxglove Seed? 22 replies
Backyard from Scratch 2 replies
Repairing botched lacquer spot 1 reply
String algae 78 replies
groundcover between stones 33 replies
(post #14356, reply #1 of 11)
*
Dear Caroline,
I'm not a rose grower, so I don't know how to answer your question, but the rosarians had a long discussion a short time ago that you might want to read. It's in the Archive at
< Obsolete Link > AnnL "Roses for '02" 1/31/02 9:56am
Now I'll step back and let someone who knows answer your question.
(post #14356, reply #2 of 11)
*
Caroline, I can't answer your last question from any direct experience - I've always planted bareroot roses (and I'm assuming this is what you're referring to) as soon as possible. If I were you, I'd wait a month before purchasing any. If the roses are potted, it's a different matter. I've read that these can be planted at any time, given that the ground is 'thawed' enough to allow you to dig an appropriate hole.
(post #14356, reply #3 of 11)
*
Hi Tish, I did look in roses 02, but found that I could not ask a question in it. That is why I started this thread. Eric, hate to say this but I bought them yesterday for valentines day. One of them I noticed had some shoots coming out on the cane, I don't know if this is good or bad at this time of year. They (3) are in my garage at the minute. If it is not good to have, I shall take it back. They are bare root, would it best if I potted them?..I know that they probable need watering every so often.
(post #14356, reply #4 of 11)
*
I'm not sure, Caroline, what you expect in terms of temperatures in your area for the rest of the 'winter' that we're having. About four years ago, I recall, I ordered some roses, bareroot, and they came somewhere around mid-March. The ground wasn't frozen solid at that time, and I went ahead and planted them. In the weeks to follow we had a few freezes (not horrible, temp dips into the 20's at night). The roses all survived.
If you plant yours, you'll probably lose the shoots growing on that one you mentioned. If the plant survives, that's not a problem. It'll grow new shoots.
I looked around on the web, and saw, written somewhere, that you can store bareroot roses (i.e. - keep them in dormancy) at a temperature around 35 degrees. It said to keep the roots moist.
I hope this helps. Maybe someone else will know more about the matter.
(post #14356, reply #5 of 11)
*
Other than wild ones, I don't grow roses either... but I know someone who does. Try here .
(post #14356, reply #6 of 11)
*
If you can dig the ground you should be able to plant your rose. It will stay dormant until the natural time for it to come forth, although the roots may do some growing under the soil in the meantime. Dig a good hole for it, 2 times bigger than the root ball. Make a small mound of soil at the bottom of the hole and spread the roots out over it, fill in with some soil, add 1/2 inch of water and let it soak in, and then continue filling the hole. Tamp down the soil at the surface until it is level. Be sure the roots are completely covered. Water some more to let the soil level out. Put a layer of leaves or hay around the plant leaving a space of a couple inches between the plants stem and the mulch. This will help keep the soil moist. Check at least weekly to see if the soil is getting dry at least 2 inches down. Water if needed. The sprouts will probably die back if you are still having close to freezing temps. but the main part of the rose will be ok and will grow quickly once the weather warms. Water in the spring when the first sprouts appear, with a kelp or fish emulsion to fertilize, and add a little bone meal around the plant under the mulch, and scratch it into the soil.
(post #14356, reply #7 of 11)
*
I have pretty good luck planting them as soon as I get them (the ground doesn't freeze very deeply here) and covering the plant completely with mulch. This keeps the canes from drying out. When they dry out before the roots have established enough to replace the moisture, the plant can die. Dry winds and sunshine before root establishment are deadly. I gradually start uncovering them about 6 weeks after planting, or when green shoots show above the mulch, whatever comes first.
(post #14356, reply #8 of 11)
*
Eric, I will try and keep them moist. I put them outside yesterday for a few hours while I worked on cleaning up the yard. Bill, I have been to that forum before, but you reminded me of it, and I went to it with the link you gave. Astrid, I will follow instructions when I come to plant them, don't know where they are going to go yet, my yard isn't planned out - I don't know if they take to being uprooted once they have been planted. I think the ground is still frozen anyway. On some of the canes, they look like they have wax or something on them, shall I take that off?
(post #14356, reply #9 of 11)
*
Caroline -- I grow lots of roses (Maryland). Astrid's instructions all sounded good. The only thing I'd add is that I usually soak bareroot roses overnight before planting in a bucket of tepid water with fertilizer added at 1/2 strength. (I usually use seaweed solution because it's organic, gentle, & great for reducing planting/transplanting shock.) Then this "tea" also can be used for watering in the rose when planting. Re not planting right away: I've kept bare-root roses for many weeks in their original packing material, as long as they stay cold & a little damp. And don't worry about the "wax" -- some growers (e.g., J&P with their boxed roses) use this for protection during dormancy, though it's not really necessary. [Just as an aside: a couple of years ago I was working at a garden center where many of the J&P boxed roses developed black canes a few weeks after arrival. Apparently, the "wax" was applied at too high a temperature, and the canes burned ... yikes! ... though all of them did survive.] Anyway, good luck to you. I love talking roses....
(post #14356, reply #10 of 11)
*
Branch! Welcome back - it's been ages!
(post #14356, reply #11 of 11)
*
Thanks I feel a bit better about them now!