How to plant bare root roses - don’t skip this overlooked step #gardening, by Everyday Gardening Tips on YouTube. 1 min 12 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 12 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Unpack the rose and trim any broken or squashed roots with clean, sharp shears. Cut back damaged canes to a healthy bud.
Stand the roots in a bucket of water for one to two hours before planting. Never let them dry out while you work.
Pick a spot with at least six hours of sun a day and soil that drains freely. Dig out a hole about 45cm wide and 30cm deep.
Fork the base of the hole to loosen it, then mound a cone of soil in the middle. Set the rose on top and spread the roots down the sides.
Check the graft union, the knobbly join low on the stem. In cold areas sit it 5cm below soil level, in mild areas keep it just above.
Backfill in stages, firming the soil gently around the roots with your hands. Leave no air pockets and keep the rose upright.
Water slowly until the soil settles and the hole is soaked. Top up with more soil if the level drops around the stems.
Spread a 5cm layer of mulch around the rose, keeping it clear of the stems. Then water every week for the first season.
Tips and common mistakes
Plant while the rose is still dormant, from late winter to early spring, so roots grow before the leaves appear.
Soaking the roots first is the step most people skip, and dry roots are the usual reason a new bare root rose fails.
Firm the soil but do not stamp on it hard, as compacted ground shuts out the air roots need.
Wear gloves and cut away from your body when trimming roots and canes, since rose wood is tough and thorny.
Questions
How deep should the graft union sit?
In cold climates bury it about 5cm below the surface to protect it from frost. In mild climates leave it just above soil level so it does not rot.
How long should I soak bare roots before planting?
One to two hours is plenty. If the rose arrived bone dry, stand it in water for up to 12 hours, but no longer or the roots start to soften.
Can I plant a bare root rose in a pot?
Yes, use a container at least 40cm across with drainage holes and a soil based compost. Container roses dry out fast, so check the moisture often.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
