Bare Root Roses: A Beginner’s Guide
What Are Bare Root Roses?
Bare root roses are rose bushes that are sold without soil around their roots. They are typically shipped in a box with their roots wrapped in wet paper or plastic bags to keep them moist during transit.
Benefits of Bare Root Roses
- Cost-effective: Bare root roses are generally less expensive than container-grown roses.
- Easier to plant: Bare root roses are easier to plant than container-grown roses because they don’t have a root ball that needs to be carefully placed in the planting hole.
- More resilient: Bare root roses are more resilient than container-grown roses and can better withstand transplanting.
- Wider variety: Bare root roses are available in a wider variety of cultivars than container-grown roses.
How to Care for Bare Root Roses After They Arrive
When your bare root roses arrive, it’s important to care for them properly to ensure their success.
- Unpack the roses: Carefully remove the roses from the packing material.
- Soak the roots: Place the roses in a bucket of water for 24 hours. This will help to rehydrate the roots and reduce transplant shock.
- Prepare the planting site: While the roses are soaking, dig planting holes that are 18-20 inches wide and at least 20 inches deep. Fill the holes halfway with water and let it drain away.
How to Plant Bare Root Roses
- Remove the roses from the water: After 24 hours, remove the roses from the water and gently shake off any excess water.
- Inspect the roots: Check the roots for any damage. Remove any damaged or broken roots.
- Prune the roots: If the roots are very long, you can prune them back to a length of 6-8 inches.
- Place the roses in the planting holes: Spread the roots out in the planting holes and make sure that the bud union (where the rootstock and scion are grafted together) is at or slightly above the soil level.
- Backfill the holes: Fill the planting holes with soil and gently tamp down the soil around the roses.
- Water the roses: Water the roses deeply after planting to help settle the soil and remove any air pockets.
Tips for Success
- Choose a sunny location: Roses need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- Plant in well-drained soil: Roses do not like to sit in wet soil.
- Water regularly: Roses need about 1 inch of water per week.
- Fertilize regularly: Roses need to be fertilized every few weeks during the growing season.
- Prune regularly: Roses need to be pruned in the spring and fall to remove dead or diseased canes and to encourage new growth.
Troubleshooting
- Yellowing leaves: Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, or disease.
- Brown leaves: Brown leaves can be a sign of sunburn, drought, or disease.
- Wilting: Wilting can be a sign of underwatering, heat stress, or disease.
- Pests: Roses can be susceptible to a variety of pests, including aphids, spider mites, and thrips.
- Diseases: Roses can be susceptible to a variety of diseases, including black spot, powdery mildew, and rust.
By following these tips, you can successfully plant and care for bare root roses in your garden.