Planting Your RosePlanting Your Rose

Linda Krontz Schuppener Linda Krontz Schuppener 770-489-4865 770-489-4865 linda2742@comcast.net linda2742@comcast.net

When do I plant?When do I plant?

Late winter is the ideal time for planting Late winter is the ideal time for planting bare root roses; bare root roses;

Early spring is ideal for planting potted Early spring is ideal for planting potted roses. roses.

But you can plant whenever you need to, But you can plant whenever you need to, as long as the ground isn't frozen.as long as the ground isn't frozen.

Where do I plant?Where do I plant?

First, pick a good home First, pick a good home for your new rose. It will for your new rose. It will need the following:need the following:

Lots of sunLots of sun

Good air circulationGood air circulation

Good drainageGood drainage

Good soil Good soil

Place to grow without root Place to grow without root competition from trees & competition from trees & shrubsshrubs

At least 6 hours of sun, At least 6 hours of sun, especially morning sun is especially morning sun is preferredpreferred

What kind of soil does it need?What kind of soil does it need?

Have the soil tested in your rose's new Have the soil tested in your rose's new homehome

Roses grow best in soil with a pH of about Roses grow best in soil with a pH of about 6.5, while our native soil (if you can call 6.5, while our native soil (if you can call what most of us have "soil") is closer to what most of us have "soil") is closer to 5.0. 5.0.

When the pH is too far from the ideal, the When the pH is too far from the ideal, the plant cannot absorb minerals from the soil. plant cannot absorb minerals from the soil.

What kind of soil does it need?What kind of soil does it need?

The UGA Extension Service in your county The UGA Extension Service in your county provides these tests at minimal cost ($4.50). provides these tests at minimal cost ($4.50).

You'll get your results much sooner if you do the You'll get your results much sooner if you do the test in fall or winter. March and April are peak test in fall or winter. March and April are peak season. season.

This test will give you not only the pH of your This test will give you not only the pH of your soil, but also information on other nutrient needs soil, but also information on other nutrient needs of your soil.of your soil.

What kind of bed do they need?What kind of bed do they need?

If you are building a whole rose bed, plan to If you are building a whole rose bed, plan to allow enough room to space bushes at least 4 allow enough room to space bushes at least 4 feet apart, depending on their ultimate size. feet apart, depending on their ultimate size.

Minis may be 2 – 3 feet apart, but Minis may be 2 – 3 feet apart, but

Shrubs may need to be 6 feet or more apart. Shrubs may need to be 6 feet or more apart.

Roses can also be grown in pots, but will need Roses can also be grown in pots, but will need at least a 5-gallon pot for minis to thrive, and a at least a 5-gallon pot for minis to thrive, and a 15-gallon pot for hybrid teas.15-gallon pot for hybrid teas.

What do I put in the bed?What do I put in the bed?To plant your rose, start with a big hole, To plant your rose, start with a big hole, approximately 2 feet across and 18 – 24 inches approximately 2 feet across and 18 – 24 inches deep for one rose. deep for one rose.

To the soil from the hole (presumably clay), add To the soil from the hole (presumably clay), add equal amounts of organic material (composted equal amounts of organic material (composted pine bark, humus, or manure, but not peat moss) pine bark, humus, or manure, but not peat moss) and coarse (builders) sand. and coarse (builders) sand.

Depending on the results of your soil test, you Depending on the results of your soil test, you may need to add dolomitic lime to adjust the soil may need to add dolomitic lime to adjust the soil pH, or super phosphate to adjust the pH, or super phosphate to adjust the phosphorus level. phosphorus level.

What do I put in the bed?What do I put in the bed?These amendments should be mixed with the planting These amendments should be mixed with the planting soil for best effect, along with ¼ cup Epsom salts. soil for best effect, along with ¼ cup Epsom salts.

Never add a fast-release nitrogen fertilizer when Never add a fast-release nitrogen fertilizer when planting, as it can burn tender new roots; however, you planting, as it can burn tender new roots; however, you may add a time-release fertilizer like Osmocote. may add a time-release fertilizer like Osmocote.

Many rosarians like to add an organic product like Mills Many rosarians like to add an organic product like Mills Magic Rose Mix. Magic Rose Mix.

Combine soil and amendments well, mix to the Combine soil and amendments well, mix to the consistency of coffee grounds, and return half to the consistency of coffee grounds, and return half to the hole. hole.

Placing it in the bed?Placing it in the bed?

In the Atlanta area the bud union, the In the Atlanta area the bud union, the knobby part that all the canes grow from knobby part that all the canes grow from on a grafted rose, should be just above the on a grafted rose, should be just above the final dirt level, rather than buried (as is final dirt level, rather than buried (as is common in cold climates) or several common in cold climates) or several inches above the ground (as it is probably inches above the ground (as it is probably growing in the pot you buy it in). growing in the pot you buy it in).

Directions for Planting Bare-Root & Directions for Planting Bare-Root & Potted RosesPotted Roses

For a bare-root roseFor a bare-root rose– Soak the rose for several hours or overnight, to Soak the rose for several hours or overnight, to

rehydrate the bush before planting. rehydrate the bush before planting. – Some people like to add a little bleach to kill fungi, or Some people like to add a little bleach to kill fungi, or

to use a root stimulator as part of the water they soak to use a root stimulator as part of the water they soak with. with.

– Trim off broken or unhealthy-looking roots, and trim Trim off broken or unhealthy-looking roots, and trim damaged canes. damaged canes.

– Prepare soil as discussed above, then mound a cone Prepare soil as discussed above, then mound a cone of dirt in the center of the hole, with the peak at of dirt in the center of the hole, with the peak at ground level. ground level.

– Spread the roots of the plant over the cone.Spread the roots of the plant over the cone.

PlantingPlanting

For a potted roseFor a potted rose– Cut away the pot, holding the plant by the root ball, Cut away the pot, holding the plant by the root ball,

rather than by the trunk or branches. rather than by the trunk or branches. – Alternatively, put your open hand in the pot and turn Alternatively, put your open hand in the pot and turn

the pot upside down, holding the root ball in your the pot upside down, holding the root ball in your open hand while removing the root ball from the pot. open hand while removing the root ball from the pot.

– If the rose is root bound, loosen and spread the roots If the rose is root bound, loosen and spread the roots so they can grow into the surrounding soil easily. so they can grow into the surrounding soil easily.

– Place the root ball on loose dirt so the top of the pot's Place the root ball on loose dirt so the top of the pot's soil is about 3 inches above ground level.soil is about 3 inches above ground level.

After Planting Bare Root or Potted RosesAfter Planting Bare Root or Potted Roses

Add remaining soil over the roots & around the Add remaining soil over the roots & around the hole to make a mound 5 inches or more above hole to make a mound 5 inches or more above the previous ground level for the rose. the previous ground level for the rose.

Tap the soil down (with your hands, not your Tap the soil down (with your hands, not your feet!) & water well to eliminate air spaces and feet!) & water well to eliminate air spaces and ensure good root contact with the soil. ensure good root contact with the soil.

Add an organic mulch over the soil – three Add an organic mulch over the soil – three inches of shredded leaves, bark, or pine straw inches of shredded leaves, bark, or pine straw will do fine – to protect the roots from will do fine – to protect the roots from temperature extremes & to keep the soil from temperature extremes & to keep the soil from drying out in the sun and wind.drying out in the sun and wind.

Planting ExamplesPlanting Examples

Taking Care of Your New RoseTaking Care of Your New Rose

It will need regular watering, at least 1 – 2 inches (2 – 4 It will need regular watering, at least 1 – 2 inches (2 – 4 gallons) a week, for the first year after you plant it, gallons) a week, for the first year after you plant it, especially through dry spells in the summer, and before especially through dry spells in the summer, and before freezing weather in winter. Drying out is the worst freezing weather in winter. Drying out is the worst enemy of a new rose, whenever it's being planted.enemy of a new rose, whenever it's being planted.

If weather is still cold when you plant, or further cold If weather is still cold when you plant, or further cold spells are expected, you need to protect the rose from spells are expected, you need to protect the rose from cold, drying air. cold, drying air.

Mound additional mulch or soil over the canes. Mound additional mulch or soil over the canes. This can be gently pulled away when the This can be gently pulled away when the weather finally gets and stays warm.weather finally gets and stays warm.

Then just wait for those beautiful blooms Then just wait for those beautiful blooms you've been dreaming about!you've been dreaming about!