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When Your Plants Arrive-
Undo the parcel carefully and soak the roots in water overnight.
Plant the following day, do not let the roots dry out. If the plants
arrive in advance of your desired planting time they should be heeled-in.
Heeling-in - to keep
bare rooted roses longer than 3 days they should be "heeled-in".
Select an open space in the garden, dig one large hole and plant all
your bundled roses in it and firm down soil. Water in well. They will
keep for several weeks if kept watered.
*NOTE: IT IS MOST IMPORTANT NOT TO LET
THE ROOTS DRY OUT AT ANY STAGE OF PLANTING.
Choosing The Right Position-
All roses require an open, sunny and well drained position.
At least 5 hours sun per day is required, preferably more. Although
shaded areas will allow roses to do well, the quantity of flowers will
diminish with the percentage of shade. Shaded parts of the garden are
more liable to attacks from fungus diseases as the plants remain wet
for too long after rains or dewy nights. Protection from wind is essential
for good blooms but remember to allow for movement of air. Avoid planting
too close to established shrubs and trees.
Soil Preparation -Ideal
soils are not available to everyone, but roses are very adaptable with
some help from the gardener. Best soils are medium to heavy loam to
about 35cm minimum depth, over a good clay subsoil. However roses can
be grown successfully in many soil types. The important thing to remember
is that light sandy soils retain less moisture and nutrients. Light
sandy soils require copious quantities of compost and animal manures,
as well as more frequent watering. Mulching is advisable with all soil
types as it eliminates many problems, such as less watering and weeding
and also retains better average soil temperature. Some mulches to use:
Pea straw, lucerne, tan or pine bark, leaf mould, peat moss, and horse
or cow manure.
DO NOT - use fowl manure or
other quick soluble fertilisers at planting time.
DO NOT - replant into old soil
where roses have been removed. Renew with fresh soil.
DO NOT - use weedicides or pre-emergence
weedicides.
(Roundup type weed killers can
be used to clean an area prior to planting).
 How
to Plant -The ideal time for planting bare root roses in
Australia is June and July. Later planting is possible, depending upon
climate, but generous watering will be necessary until the plants have
taken root. The proposed rose bed should have been dug over many times
prior to planting and brought to a good tilth, ready for the plants.
A thorough cultivation at the time of planting is a bare minimum. Dig
a hole large enough to take the roots, which should be placed down and
outwards over a small mound at the bottom of the hole. A hole approximately
30cm wide by 25cm deep should be sufficient. Cover with soil and firm
down moderately. Water in well. The bud graft or bud union should remain
approximately 5cm above soil level. Do not use fertilisers at
planting time, as this may burn the roots. However, the addition of
well rotted animal manure and a small amount of blood and bone well
dug in is beneficial..
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