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Planting
of Bare Root Roses – Usually
around the latter part of April in Central New York:
DO’s:
Keep
the plants moist until they can be planted.
If you will be planting within a couple of days of receipt, moisten the sphagnum
moss or other packaging material within the plastic bag and place in a cool
place but not where they will freeze. If you cannot plant them for several
days, place them in a bucket of water and store in a cool place.
Dig a planting hole
large enough to hold rose roots without crowding or bending them. At least 18 to 20
inches deep and wide. Deeper and wider
for plants with large root systems. If
you have two or more to plant side by side, digging of a trench is faster and
more efficient.
Add soil amendments A handful each of bone meal and alphaful
pellets and a scoop of Pro-Mix in the bottom of the hole. Mix well and form
a soil mound for the roots
to be spread over.
Trim
tips of the roots; remove the part of any root that is damaged, and place in a
bucket of water before planting. Trimming
of the roots encourages better root development.
Set plant over the
soil mound so that so that the bud union (the
round knob between the roots and canes) is at least two inches and
preferably three to four inches below ground level.
Fill in soil around
bush.
First, half fill with soil and gently pack Add water and fill rest of
hole with soil
after the water has soaked in. Water again when planting completed. Mound 8 to 10 inches
of soil around the canes. Keep this mound moist until new growth
begins. Then carefully and gradually remove this soil over a two to three week
period. This will help retain moisture
while the roots are getting established.
   
Set bush with roots Place
bush so that bud Partially
fill with soil. Fill
rest of way with soil.
over soil mound in
union is at least 2 inches Fill rest
of way with Water
again. Mound 8 to 10 bottom of hole.
below ground
level. water. Let it soak in. inches of soil around canes.
DON’TS:
DO NOT add fertilizer to newly planted roses
for at least a month after they have been planted.
Removal
of Winter Protection:
DON’TS:
DO NOT be in a rush to remove winter
protection.
There are likely to be heavy frosts well into late April and possibly
later that could cause damage to canes that have survived under the winter
protection.
DO’S:
Do wait until at least
the Forsythia is in full bloom. Then gradually remove winter protection over
a two to three week period, being prepared to add winter protection back if a
heavy frost or freeze is in the forecast.
Care
of Miniature and/or Miniflora
roses received in small pots from nurseries in early spring:
DON’TS:
DO NOT plant them
directly into your garden. They need to become acclimated to being
outside.
DO’S:
Do transplant them
into a six inch or larger pot filled with a moistened soilless mix such as
Pro-Mix. Set them outside in
a protected area.
But bring inside if there is a chance of a frost. After the chance of
frost has past, recess the entire pot into the soil in your garden for at least
its first season. Provide usual care, especially adequate
watering
Planting
of Potted Roses – Usually available
around Mother’s Day and after in nine inch or larger pots:
DO’s:
Same as Items 1, 2,
3, 5 and 6 under Bare Root roses. If soil in the pots is compacted or the roots
are root bound, slightly loosen the soil and separate bound roots before
placing the bush in the ground.
DON’TS:
DO NOT add fertilizer to newly planted roses
for at least a month after they have been planted.
RESIST a temptation
to purchase potted roses in smaller containers that appear in some stores earlier in the season as they are
not likely to have as good a root system as those potted in larger
containers.
DO
NOT mound soil around potted plants as they are already leafed out.
Fertilizing
and Spraying
DO’s:
Hold
off fertilizing until there are firm signs of new growth, usually early to
mid-May, Soil is then likely to be warm enough to take up the nutrients. If
done too early, part of the nutrients will
just leach away.
Start a systematic spraying
program with at least a fungicide as soon as there is new growth showing. Repeat as provided
in the directions, generally every seven to 10 days. Water deeply before
fertilizing and/or spraying if you
have not had a soaking rain recently,
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