Step By Step Guide To Planting A Bare Root Rose Bush

Before you start planting your bare root rose bush you’ll want to take the time to make sure and buy a good plant. When looking for a plant, look for one that has a minimum of three strong canes. Look carefully because you don’t want to get one that has shriveled or brown damaged canes. When you pick up the plant, if it’s healthy, it will feel heavy; a light plant could be a sign that it has dried out.

It’s also important to pay attention to the graft union. This is the knot above the roots. A healthy graft union will feel firm and solid. If it feels soft or has a growth on it, the plant may have a disease and you definitely don’t want that one. The roots of the plant will be light colored and will grow symmetrically around the trunk.

When you’ve chosen your plant, it’s best to plant it as soon as you can. If you can’t plant it immediately, you need to remove it from the package and store it in a cool place and use peat moss to keep the roots moist. These first steps in choosing and storing your bare root rose bush are extremely important. This is the beginning for them and they need a good start in order to grow properly.

Choosing the right location for your bare root bush is vital to its survival. Pick a spot where the plant will have a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day.  Make sure that the plant will also have plenty of air circulation in order to keep the leaves from growing mildew. Bare Root Roses need rich soil that drains well. The ideal pH for the soil is between 6.5 and 7.0 but they will grow in many types of soils.

Before planting you’ll need to determine how deep to dig the hole. The graft union should be planted at ground level in warmer climates and about 6 inches deep in colder climates. Before you actually start digging soak the roots of your plant for at least 2 hours (some people soak them overnight). Soaking the roots plumps them up to give them the moisture they need in the beginning.

Then you can dig the hole. Dig it deep enough for the graft union to be where it needs to be (depending on climate). The hole also needs to be wide enough for the roots to fully extend (you don’t want the roots to bend). The soil should be a mixture of one part compost, one part soil, and one part compost bark. Mix the soil up and fill the hole part way. In the center of the hole, make a mound of dirt. Set the rose bush into the hole and spread the roots out evenly around the mound of dirt in the middle.

Carefully fill the hole with soil almost to the top and water the bush in order to help the soil settle into place. Use soil to make a small wall of soil around the entire hole and add some mulch to the surrounding wall. Remember not to let the mulch touch the canes.

Once your bare root rose bush is planted you’ll want to keep the soil moist. For the first two weeks check the soil around the plant to make sure that the plant hasn’t sunk. If it has sunk down (which happens sometimes) remove the plant and plant it again at the proper level.

Good job. You’ve now successfully planted your bare root rose bush. Spring will bring new growth (and insects). Keep an eye on your plants and give them proper care because they have something beautiful to show you.