Fall is the ideal time to plant bare root roses. Whether you buy them from a grower, nursery or mail order, don't delay planting them to ensure their recovery.
What is a bare root rose?
As the name suggests, a bare-root rose is not packed in a pot. It is sold without a root ball, roots in the air, which implies constraints in terms of uprooting, transport and sale, steps that must be carried out as soon as possible.
Advantages of planting a bare root rosebush
A bare-root rosebush has a better chance of recovery because it has grown and fortified in the ground. It is only available at the right time for planting and will therefore be installed at the best time.
In pots, the root system is often constrained, the roots sometimes form a bun, a sign of suffering of the plant contained in a pot too small to ensure its development. Such a plant will have very little chance of recovery, and if it starts again, it will take a long time to develop properly.
How to choose a bare root rose?
Choose a healthy plant with well-developed branches. There should be no signs of rot or suspicious spots on the stems. The roots should be fleshy, strong and not dried out.
How to prepare for planting a bare-root rose?
- Soak the roots in room temperature water while you prepare the soil.
- Choose a sunny location and then manually weed the area before aerating and applying an organic manure such as compost or well-decomposed manure.
- Dress the roots, i.e., prune those that are damaged, and reduce by half those that are too long.
- Prepare a praline based on clay, garden soil, water and cow dung. Praline is also available at garden centers if you don't have all the 'ingredients'.
- Take your rose bush out of the water and dip the roots in the praline, making sure they are all well soaked. This mixture will greatly help the rosebush's recovery.
How to plant a bare root rose?
- Dig a 40 cm hole in all directions.
- Make a small mound at the bottom of the hole, ideally with garden soil, compost and a handful of crushed horn.
- Place the roots flat on this mound, adjusting its height so that the grafting point is just above ground level.
- Fill in the hole by packing the soil well around the foot of the rose.
- Do not bury the grafting point!
- Make a basin around the foot of the rose and water thoroughly.
