| Fraser Pacific Rose Society
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Rose of the Month
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Planting Bare Root Roses ◄Back
The first step in planting is to inspect the rose bush carefully and cut off any broken canes or roots cleanly. The canes should be pruned to 4-6 inches from the bud union on hybrid teas and floribundas, and 8-12 inches for climbers. The cut is made approximately one quarter inch above an outward facing bud eye sloping away from it, but not lower than the bud itself. Use a clean sharp pair of hand pruners; scissor or bypass are best, rather than anvil types. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots so they can be spread out in a natural position without bending. This means a hole at least 18 inches wide and deep, or deep enough for the bud union (knob) of the rose to be one inch below soil level. The soil used to fill around the roots should be amended with moist peat moss, garden compost or mushroom compost which helps to improve aeration, hold moisture and stimulate new root growth. Once the planting hole has been prepared, a generous handful of bone meal or super phosphate should be mixed into the bottom. If you wish, a small handful of each can be used. Super phosphate will go to work quicker while the bone meal will last a long time. A couple of handfuls of alfalfa pellets or meal can be mixed into the planting hole. No other commercial fertilizer should be used at this time.
When the bare root rose has all its roots pointing in one direction, place at one side of the planting hole and then spread the roots out as widely as you can. It may be necessary to adjust the size of the planting hole to accommodate the shape of the roots. When planting a climber against a wall where the soil is often very dry, dig a hole approximately 18 inches away from the wall and direct the roots away from the base of the wall. Newly planted bare root roses need to be protected from drying out. The method used for this is to mound soil up over the canes so that they are almost completely covered. The soil around the rose should be moist. When there is a prolonged dry spell, it will be necessary to water your plants. The soil mound should remain on the plant until new shoots start to appear. Be very cautious when removing the mound so that you don't break any of the new shoots from the canes or basil growth from the crown of the plants. Have fun!
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Roses can be soaked in water overnight, but it's not advisable to leave them
immersed in water for more than 24 hours.
When
rose roots radiate in a circle, you can form a mound then spread out the roots on the mound.
However, most bare root roses do not have roots that radiate in a circle but
will be on one side. To adjust the plant to
the proper position it can be helpful to lay a board, stick or rake handle over
the hole and hold the bud union in place against it as you fill in the hole.
Work the amended soil between the roots with your hands to fill any air pockets.
When the hole is about two thirds full, firm the soil with your hands starting
at the outside edge of the hole, working towards the center. Fill in the
rest of the space with water so the soil is brought into close contact with the
roots. When the water has drained away, fill in the hole with soil
firming well and water once again.