Caring of the Rose

PLANTING BARE ROOT ROSES

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Bare root rose bush
  • Garden clippers
  • Bucket/tub
  • Shovel
  • Potting soil or compost
  • Fertilizer

Open the bare root rose bush packaging. Remove all packaging materials, as well as any tags or wires.

Trim off any broken roots or canes.

Place the roots in a bucket of water, making sure they are completely covered. Leave the rose bush for at least overnight (10 – 24 hours) to soak up moisture.

Dig a hole, 1 foot deep and 2 feet wide. If you have a clay-based soil, dig out additional soil and mix compost or potting soil with a bit of sand into it. Return enough soil to make sure you have the recommended hole measurements. This will assure a well drained soil for the rose bush.

Pile soil in the center of the hole to create a cone-shape. Open the roots of the rose bush and spread them around the dirt cone, with the bush vertically straight over the top.

Move the extra compost soil mixture around the root system, filling the hole. Firm the soil, with your hand as you go, to create structure. Water the rose bush thoroughly.

Rock the rose bush, gently, back and forth, allowing air bubbles to escape. The term for this process is called “puddling in.”

Add additional soil to cover any roots that may be showing. Pack it gently with your hands. Build a mote around the bush, so it sits higher. This will assure good drainage. If the roots are left to sit in soggy water, they can rot.

Fertilize your new rose bush when you begin to see buds. Choose a fertilizer high in phosphorus for large, healthy blooms. You can find rose fertilizers, easily, at your local nursery or garden center. Fertilize every 2 weeks during the blooming season, when you water.

Keep rose soil moist. Water at the base of the plant. Now that you have properly planted your bare root rose bush, you should not have a problem with the roots sitting in water. The frequency of watering will depend on your climate.

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PLANTING A BARE ROOT ROSE IN A CONTAINER

Things you’ll need:

  • Bare-root rose
  • Black plastic pot
  • Potting Soil
  • Perlite
  • Pruning Shears
  • Bucket
  • Water

Soak the bare-root rose in a bucket of water for 10 to 24 hours.

Prepare your containers. Black plastic pots are preferred because they retain heat and moisture better than clay pots. For a large bare-root plants, use a 12-inch or 15-inch pot.  Mix three parts potting soil and one part perlite for good drainage. Fill the pot halfway with the potting soil mix, forming a mound in the center to support the plant and allow maximum contact of soil and roots.

Trim off any decaying or broken roots to promote root health.

Position bare-root rose in container. Rest the plant on the soil mound, spreading the roots outward.

Fill the pot with soil while holding the bare-root plant steady. The soil level should be just above the bud union (also called graft union) where the climate is generally cold, and just below the bud union where the climate is moderate to warm. Press the soil firmly and water the pot thoroughly.

Set the pots in a bright but shaded area for about a week to minimize shock and help the plant to stabilize. When leaf sprouts have grown to about 2 inches, move the pots to a sunny location where they will receive six to seven hours of sunlight per day.