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Planting Premium Bare Root Roses
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All Roger's Gardens Premium Bare Root Roses are grown in a custom
blended, organic soil that is rich in microorganisms, especially
beneficial mycorrhizae. To retain the benefits of this soil and
achieve the best results we suggest a simple planting technique.
Although these plants are growing in an organic, biodegradable pulp
container we do NOT suggest that they be planted container and all.
If you will not be planting your new roses for a few days keep them
very well watered (daily) and in filtered light until they begin
leafing out. Once the new growth is 2-3 inches the plant can be
acclimated to full sun and watered reduced slightly.
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Planting step-by-step:
- Thoroughly soak your plant. Apply enough water so that the
root ball and pulp container are completely saturated.
- Prepare a planting hole. 15" deep and 18" wide is adequate,
18" deep and 24" wide is even better. (Figure 1)
- Amend your soil. Mix 1/2 existing soil with 1/2 Roger's
Planting Mix. Add 1/4 cup of Roger's Soil Activator to this mixture.
Prepare the final depth by placing the potted rose in the hole and
matching the soil line in the pot with the soil in the landscape.
Add soil to the bottom of the hole as needed to make sure the "bud
union" (point of graft) is about 2-3" above the soil level.
- Take the potted rose out of the hole and sit it nearby. With
a sharp knife, cut all the way around the base of the pulp pot in a
circle. Now, without moving the plant, cut straight up the side of
the pot from bottom to just below the top lip of the pot. Do this
on two opposing sides. (Figure 2)
- Carefully set the potted rose into the hole, keeping the
soil and pulp pot intact a bit longer. (Figure 3)
- Fill the space around the pulp pot with the amended soil,
firming the soil as you go. Fill in the sides of the planting hole
with more soil mixture. Excess soil can be used to create a temporary
watering basin around the perimeter of the planting hole. Now
complete the final inch of the two cuts up the sides of the pulp pot
and gently slide the sides of the pot out of the soil. Form the soil
once again to eliminate any air pockets. (Figure 4)
- Add a 1-2" layer of Roger's Planting Mix to the surface of
the soil to retain moisture, reduce weeds and regulate soil
temperatures.
- Water the new rose SLOWLY and DEEPLY (Figure 5).
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Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
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EXPOSURE:
Roses grow best in full sun and good air circulation.
Inland: Plant in an area that receives at least 5 hours of sun.
Coastal: At least 6 hours. Provide good air circulation by
planting bush roses 31/2 to 4 ft. apart. (Hedge and ground cover roses
can be planted closer together.)
SOIL:
For ideal growth conditions, plant in loose, fast-draining soil where
roots can grow deep. Heavy clay soils hold too much water. Roots
suffocate and struggle for adequate growth space and eventually succumb
to root rot.
WATERING:
AVOID high sprinkler spray and overhead watering. Under each bush,
create a basin-like well with soil to hold water during irrigation.
A SLOW, DEEP soaking is the best method for watering roses. Use low
pressure, allowing only a very slow stream of water to thoroughly
soak the root ball (10 to 15 min., depending on soil type). Or place
individual "bubbler" sprinkler heads next to each bush.
FERTILIZING:
Begin your feeding program when your plant shows 2-4" of new growth.
Feed with Roger's Soil Activator alternated with Roger's Flower Food
every 3 weeks (last feeding of the year around Halloween). Roger's
Gardens DOES NOT recommend the use of systemic soil applied insecticide
and fertilizer products. These products will significantly interfere
with the beneficial soil organisms that are essential healthy soil and
a healthy sustainable garden.
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GROOMING:
It is VERY IMPORTANT to keep dead leaves, petals and other debris
cleaned up around your bushes. This is an ideal location for disease
to start. Take off old, damaged or yellowing leaves by gently pulling
down on them.
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Figure 6
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Deadheading: The practice of cutting off faded flowers BEFORE
petals begin to fall. Make the cut just above an outward facing leaf
with 5 leaflets. Cutting at this point allows growth to resume at the
bud eye inside the leaf axil and produces the best flowers. Deadheading
encourages more flowers. (Figure 5)
Cutting Flowers for Bouquets: Follow the same method as
deadheading, carefully choosing an ideal location to make a cut.
(ALWAYS place the importance of the plant above that of cut flowers.)
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DISEASES:
Common diseases are powdery mildew, rust and black spot,
which are fungi that may appear on the foliage. All three can be
controlled with organic Green Light Rose Defense, following
product directions for mixing. Spray THREE TIMES with seven day
intervals between each spraying (NEVER spray just once!).
Powdery mildew is also controlled well with Monterey E-Rase,
another 100% organic product. Remember, diseases are best prevented
by good variety selection, correct location in your garden and good
care and grooming.
Be alert. Check the foliage on your bushes often. When caught early,
diseases can be stopped quickly. However, we highly recommend the
following preventative measures:
- Choose disease resistant varieties.
- Avoid planting in locations that get too little sun.
- Allow plenty of air circulation and growing space around the plant.
- Keep your soil clear of debris.
INSECTS:
A new, nontoxic biological insecticide called Rose Defense safely gets
rid of aphids, caterpillars, rose slugs (look like a small, green worm
on the underside of the foliage) and thrips but does little harm to
beneficial insects such as Ladybugs. Follow product directions for
mixing and application.
WINTER PRUNING AND TRANSPLANTING:
For Southern California, January is the best time to do your winter
rose pruning and then, if desired, transplanting. Yearly pruning
thoroughly rejuvenates your plant by eliminating older, unproductive
canes while sending out strong, new, highly productive canes, so KEEP
YOUR PLANTS YOUNG! Ask for a free Roger's Gardens Pruning instruction
sheet for step by step professional rose pruning.
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