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Planting roses in chalky soil

richardellis66richardellis66 Posts: 36
in Problem solving
I have been given a few rose bushes over the last couple of years which I have planted in pots, but they are not doing that well anymore. They have become straggly and are not flowering as well. I have topped up the soil each year and fed them, but it hasn't made much difference. I suspect they meed more room.

I want to plant them in the borders where they may have a better chance to thrive but we live on the top of a chalk hill and the soil is thin. A couple of inches max and we hit chalk and flint. I could dig out a big enough hole and back fill with compost but it is back breaking work.

Any alternatives?

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    How big are your pots?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • OmoriOmori Posts: 1,674
    Do you prune them yearly? 
  • richardellis66richardellis66 Posts: 36
    B3 said:
    How big are your pots?
    various but smallest 30cm diameter - don't really want bigger pots. Too expensive and difficult to move
  • richardellis66richardellis66 Posts: 36
    yes I have done but there hasn't been much fresh growth 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Someone on another thread has asked about planting on chalky soil. It might be worth having a look at it
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • OmoriOmori Posts: 1,674
    Roses like to have depth of soil, so it’s quite possible they aren’t getting enough room. Generally you want a pot at least 45cm across. Do you know what type of roses they are? They also need plenty of water during hot/dry weather, especially the smaller pots. Possibly daily, or every other day. A weekly liquid feed (half strength Tomorite for example) is also recommended. Lastly, do you know approximately how many hours of sun they get in summer? 
  • richardellis66richardellis66 Posts: 36
    Omori said:
    Roses like to have depth of soil, so it’s quite possible they aren’t getting enough room. Generally you want a pot at least 45cm across. Do you know what type of roses they are? They also need plenty of water during hot/dry weather, especially the smaller pots. Possibly daily, or every other day. A weekly liquid feed (half strength Tomorite for example) is also recommended. Lastly, do you know approximately how many hours of sun they get in summer? 
    Thanks very helpful. I think they do need bigger pots as they dry out pretty quickly. They are in partial shade which might explain the straggly growth I suppose.

    Think I will have to bite the bullet and dig out the borders. Just ordered a mattock to help!
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