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Bare root roses (what to do now)

MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
in Problem solving
I have just taken delivery of some bare root roses and put them in a bucket of water. I have some questions please. How long do I leave them in soak before planting? How deep do I plant them? They are all short varieties, getting no taller than 1 metre, some suitable for containers, which brings me to my next question. How much space should there be at the top of a pot (between soil and rim)? Apologies if this has recently been covered, I did try searching.  :)  tia

Posts

  • OmoriOmori Posts: 1,674
    This will help you with regards to bare root planting:

    https://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-plant-a-bare-root-shrub-rose

    Container advice:

    • Q: How do I plant a rose in a large pot / what compost do I use? 
       
      A: SIZE OF POT
      For best results, your pot should be at least 16” (40cm) deep and 16” (40cm) across. It is surprising how much difference a larger pot will make to the performance of your rose. As the growth of your rose is determined to a large extent by the size of the root, we always recommend as large a pot as possible. A larger pot will also retain moisture for longer, which is key to a healthy vigorous plant.

      WHICH COMPOST?
      For the best results, we recommend a good quality peat based compost preferably with a slow release fertiliser, such as John Innes No. 3.

      HOW TO PLANT
      Step 1: Place small stones to cover the base of your pot to about 2” (5cm) to aid drainage.
      Step 2: Hold your plant in the pot and see where the roots reach down to. You will want to cover all of the roots with compost.
      Step 3: Remove the rose and fill with compost to this level.
      Step 4: Place the plant back in the centre of the pot and add compost around the plant covering the roots. Aim to have the top of the roots about two inches below the top of your pot.
      Step 5: Water well with about 5 litres of water.

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Soak your bare roots for a minimum of an hour, making sure the water level covers the knobbly graft between the roots and the canes. Overnight in the bucket is fine, even 48 hours. Ideally in a cool outbuilding, not indoors where it’s too warm and not outdoors if you are expecting a freeze. I received a large bare root order yesterday evening, unwrapped and dunked in buckets today, will start potting up/planting out tomorrow. They will be fine. When potting up, I plant the graft about 1-2 inches below soil level, then leave an inch between the soil level and the top of the pot to allow for a good soaking and topping up with mulch/more compost when the level sinks, as it inevitably does! Don’t be afraid to trim the roots to fit the pot, better to do that than plant them too high. Slightly deep is better for stability.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    @Omori, @Nollie, thank you so much for your advice. I am looking forward to planting them tomorrow.  :)
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Ugh, freezing cold and pouring with rain here and looks set for the day, that’s scuppered my planting out plans!! Looks like my roses will be in the buckets a while longer!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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