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Should I replace my Gertrude Jekyll roses?

BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431
in Plants
I have two pots, each containing a GJ rose. They were planted eight years ago but are very disappointing. I have pruned them carefully, replenished compost and fed them well. I think the poor flowering is due to the fact that the supporting structure will not allow stems to be trained horizontally. Do you agree? Perhaps it’s time to replace them with something more suitable? The pots are positioned on a sheltered, East-facing wall which gets morning sunshine. Suggestions would be much appreciated.



Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Actually I think the pots are far too small for a GJ rose which can get up to 6'x  4'. It also looks as though they are shielded too much by an overhanging roof? Roses need at least 4-6 hours of sunshine a day. Rather than chuck them, I would repot them into a much bigger, taller pot (think half-barrel size at least) with a mix of J.I No. 3 compost, manure and grit , prune those long canes down by half and perhaps move them elsewhere or even plant them in the ground. IMO 8 years is too long to keep a rose in a pot.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    @Lizzie27 is absolutely right with everything she advises. Bigger pot, right soil, sunny spot and feed and water diligently and you will have beautiful roses with a fabulous scent. 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Absolutely agree, those pots will be full of roots with barely any soil now and unable to hold much water. My GJ has been in a 50cmx50cm pot for 3 years or so and gets 3 x 12litre watering cans a week and she soaks it all up, gets a fresh mulch every year, sometimes twice, a general feed 3-4 times a year plus high potassium tomato feed regularly during the blooming season. I might get another year or so in that pot at the most.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Daniel RutherfordDaniel Rutherford Posts: 263
    I agree the main problem is the pot is too small
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    Having the additional plants in that pot with the rose isn't helping either, Rose's are very hungry, thirsty plants.......
  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431
    Thank you for all your replies. Your help is appreciated. Although the pot is probably bigger than it appears (40 Centimetres) I am sure you are right about it not being large enough. - and the pot is under a soffit. I think I will try to find somewhere else for the roses - but would appreciate ideas for the emptied pots. 
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