New Rose Bushes, YEAH!

Any day, I will be receiving the following rose bushes: Arctic Flame, Senior Prom, Dr. Brownell, Helen Hayes, Lily Pons, Curly Pink, Maria Stern, Queen 'O The Lakes, Victory. I am so excited!! I have never grown roses in my life. (I never start anything slow!). I have the area turned over, weeded, etc. I am planning to mulch once planted. Do any of you experts have any thoughts or advice to give a new rose gardner before I begin the planting? I'm all ears.

Hi Becky. Here are some links to some good basic rose care info. Good luck with your roses, I hope you enjoy them for years to come.(two things I know about roses....they are heavy feeders and they do not like to have their roots in water) grin


http://www.love-of-roses.com/care-of-roses.html

http://www.rose-gardening-made-easy.com/growing-roses-for-beginners.html

http://www.rose-works.com/growing-roses-for-beginners.html

http://www.rosecaretips.com/

Thank you so much for the links. I already feel better about not killing my first rosebushes. I just wish that UPS truck would hurry up!! :)

Yup. The waiting is the hardest part. You are very welcome. Enjoy your garden.

another word of advice perhaps... do not prune your climbers for the first two years.. then only prune out the branches that are rubbing each other or crowding out the middle of the plant.

Thanks for the pruning advice. I've been working 13 hour days this week and this is the first chance I've had to check in. I just sent an email to Burgess. I ordered the roses on April 4 and they are not here yet. I'm beginning to wonder!! Anyone else dealt with them?

Is this the Burgess you ordered from? If so they've got a lot of negative comments in the Garden Watchdog http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/233/

Yes, it is the same company. I read the other posts. I decided not to even enter my experience, because word for word, it's the same thing. So, now I know not to order from them again and I have also decided not to stress so much about this order. I basically will get it when I get it. I just hope the roses are healthy! Like the others that posted, I didn't know about the watch dog feature of this web site. I will use it in the future for sure.

If they end up not sending your plants or sending ones that are poor quality, I'm sure there are lots of much better companies you could order roses from. If you go to the main page of the Watchdog and scroll down, you'll see an area where you can search for nurseries by the types of things they sell, and there are a couple different categories listed for roses. Once you do that search you can further sort the results by rating so that all the best companies show up at the top of the list.

Beckysue.. if I were you I'd be contacting Burgess to nag them on your order... if you don't get your rose into the ground before the heat comes then it will not live anyway!!
Don't stop until you get the results you're looking for! I had a problem with Springhill Nursery last year with a Butterfly Bush & they sent me a replacement this year.. the plant looks a lot healthier this year than it did last! Of course they couldn't send me that plant last year as it was too late to plant it.

Especially since they will be coming bare root. Heat makes it really hard on the plants with no feeder roots.

I got another email from them Monday. They said they were waiting for more plants to come in so they can fill the order. My answer was "you told me it was already at shipping 2 weeks ago, so how have we gone backwards?" I was actually wondering how late I could plant the rose bushes. I guess I also assumed, since the catalog stated that they would be 2 year old plants, that they would not be bare root. The main reason I ordered theses particular roses from them is because the collection is supposed to be "sub-zero". I was impressed with the statements about how well they survive the temperature extremes, either hot or cold. I'm afraid that one of you are no going to tell me that that was just sales hype!! Go ahead, give it to me straight, I have broad shoulders! :)

It's definitely better if they don't come bare root--they should hold up better during shipping that way. On planting time--if it is hot by the time they come then you'll just need to be extra diligent with watering them until their roots get going. And if you're planting them in a really sunny area it may help to rig up some shade for them for the first couple weeks.

As far as the marketing hype--many (if not all) roses can survive colder winters than you would ever see in North Carolina (I grew up in northern Ohio and everyone there had roses). And I don't think your heat would be so excessive to cause them problems either (I have a couple different kinds of roses and they've handled temperatures as high as 115 on occasion). So while what they're saying about the extra temperature tolerance may be perfectly true (I have no idea whether it is or not), your climate is probably not extreme enough for you to need an extra-super-duper temperature tolerant type of rose.

Thanks. I was starting to get worried about whether I would even be able to plant these things when they finally come. Now I'm really going to show my ignorance, could a 2 year old rose bush come bare root?

I think the reason I was so excited about the sub-zero roses is because I have allowed my self to become intimidated about growing roses here. I am originally from Oregon, and as a child, I remember everyone having wonderful rose bushes. The humidity here is so horrendous that it's like living on a different planet. I do see rose bushes in some yards here, but not many. But then again, I just don't see a lot of flower gardens around this area, just lots of azaelias! (Sorry for rambling) Anyway, roses just seem like such a challenge that I thought I would give myself one up by starting with the sub-zeros. Now it seems my main concern may just very well be the condition.

If it was bare-root they should have said something about it in the plant description (although since the company is less than reputable, they may not have bothered to mention that). Roses are one type of plant that are very frequently sold bare root, although they can be sold in pots as well so it's hard to say unless the website said specifically one way or the other.

I agree with you that humidity could definitely be challenging for roses--for one thing I imagine they'd be more prone to things like black spot than they would in a drier climate like mine. But a rose developed for sub-zero temperatures isn't necessarily going to help you with humidity or disease resistance--you'd want to look for one that was developed specifically for humid climates, or marketed as resistant to black spot/other diseases, etc.

They state in their shipping info on-line that many of their plants are shipped in"a dormant state" and that the roots should be soaked prior to planting.....I ordered roses from them once before and was told they would ship starting at the end of February to warmest climates first....I am in 9a...my roses came bare root and bone dry the first week of June. I wound up putting them in generous pots and waiting until Fall to plant them. I also used root stimulator when I planted them and a 1/4 strength solution once a week for the first 4 weeks. I have discovered when they say potted, they mean cell pack or 21/4 inch pot.

OK, the roses arrived today. The collection was for 9, I only got 8. Will email them tonight about the mistake. And yeah, they are bare root. So, themoonhowl, how did your roses end up doing in the end? I have mine in a bucket soaking up the water right now. Will soak them overnight then plant tomorrow when the shade hits the site. I will pick up some root stimulator. Is it a liquid or is it like the powder stuff I use for starting my houseplants? Also, I guess these are considered hybrid tea roses. How far apart should I plant them? I also went back to the description in the catalog, and they are supposed to be immune to blackspot and "other common rose problems".

Hurray Becky! Glad they got there. Mine did fine after spending the summer in a container and then going into the ground in the Fall. Root stimulator is a liquid. Greenlight products makes one. You could add a bit to the water they are soaking in also, then use it to water them in.

Here is a little care and planting info for you.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-tea-rose.htm

Thanks so much. It's fantastic that you are always posting those great links!! It saves me all the trouble of having to search and search and search for a useful site. I leaned from that site that I should not follow the plant spacing that was recommended by Burgess. I live in a warmer climate, so I need to space them further apart, like 3' to 4'. I am excited about the Shamrock bulbs that came as a free gift. I just can't decide if I'm going to plant them outside or as a houseplant. I may just compromise and plant them outside in a pot.

Glad to help Becky. You are very welcome. Now, you need to post lots of pictures as they start to bloom. I have Shamrocks in the ground here and they multiply and bloom year after year. If they are hardy in your zone, ya might try a few in the ground also.

OK, the roses are planted!! Some of them had new shoots coming out on the branches already. I thought they were supposed to be dormant. That won't be a problem will it? I have buckets on each of them, sitting on bricks so there will still be air circulation. I had to cover them this evening, because they will be getting the morning light. I also broke down and bought a "Knock Out" to put in the middle of the rose garden. It's potted, so I should have some roses on it while I wait for the bare root plants. My plan is to put an arbor over the Knock Out, so I can put a couple of climbers on each side. I'm so excited!! I really hope these plants do well. Will be sure to post some pictures.

Do you think it's too late to put the Shamrocks in the ground? How big do they get. I only got 3 little bulbs, so should I group them together?

OK, one more question. I have already had to start using the dehumidifier in my house. I have to dump it every day. I told you the humidity is terrible here!! Anyway, does anyone know of any reason why I could not use that water on my plants? I don't think I'll use it on my houseplants, but I have alot of potted plants on my front porch that need a lot of water. This thing is pulling about a gallon of water a day.

Do you have them covered because of temperatures? They need the sunlight to trigger growth and they are cold hardy. Those roses were grown in the ground and dug up to send to you, so they do not need "hothouse" protection.

With only 3 bulbs, I would put the shamrocks in a pot. 3 tiny bulbs are likely to get lost in the garden.

The water from the dehumidifier should be fine for watering any plants. It has nothing added to it, so it should not pose a problem, and would be a shame to waste that much water.

We use our dehumidifier water to water plants. I read "somewhere" that it's actually distilled, so it's better than tap water.

If the buckets are there because of my suggestion of getting them some shade for the first couple weeks, I'd try an umbrella or something like that instead. They do need light. Newly planted things can get stressed on a hot day if they're getting hot afternoon sun on them so it helps to shade them from the PM sun but you don't want to block them off from the light completely (and if your weather is still cool then you probably don't need to do anything).

Well, Mother Nature is on my side this time. Yesterday, it got up to 90 deg and high, high humidity. Starting today, we are going to have 70's and dry for several days. Also, my roses will be getting mostly morning sun, with one corner of the garden getting some PM sun. So I guess I can take the buckets off, right? How much daily sun do roses normally need anyway? When I planned this rose garden, of course my trees hadn't filled out yet, there was lots of sun until PM. Now that the pecan trees are full, I'm not getting near as much sun as I'd earlier thought. Don't know what I was thinking (or not!)

Thanks for the confirmation on using the dehumidifier, it's just so cool to me to get to finally make something good come out of this hair frizzing, skin clogging humidity!

Will plant the Shamrocks today.

Becky, roses need a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of sun, and most can handle all day sunrise to sunset sun. As to shading them for the first couple weeks, as ecrane said, a garden umbrella, or 4 stakes and a light colored sheet held at least a foot or two above them.

Never thought you would wind up with a "garden sauna" eh? grin

Becky, I am happy to hear your roses arrived.. & just in time too, as after the second week in May you take your chances with the roses surviving the year... as they won't be able to grow in the heat...no matter where one lives! This is especially true for bare root roses.... & if you hadn't seen those small growths I would have asked you to snip off a little of the branch to see if the plant was dead or alive.. there is a difference even in dormancy.

Have fun & don't expect too many blooms the first year as the plant is establishing it's roots. OH, one more thing... do not over fertilize your roses or you will never get any blooms! hahaha

Keep us posted!

So far, so good. Though the new shoots that were there when I planted seem to be shriveling up. We had constant rain for the first 3 days of this week. Very little sun. I have no covers over them at all now and will just wait and see. I did plant one red Knock Out (to fill the spot that the missing rose was to be in) that had a few buds when I planted. I have had one rose to bloom and a couple more to come. At least I hav some color in this plot of planted sticks!! I kinda figured I wouldn't have blooms on the "sticks" until next year. What about the foilage? Should I expect a lot of it by the end of the summer?

I planted the Shamrocks in a pot less than a week ago, already have shoots about 1" high!

Your Knock out rose will certainly survive! It's all the "rage" here..partly because a lot of people don't want to take the time to care for roses & a Knock out rose needs very little!
With regards to not having foilage.. your soil may not have enough nutrients..have you ever done a soil test? If not you can get a kit from your local nursery & do it yourself.. I reccommend doing it at least once. Then they can tell you if you need to add anything. As you should be seeing new growth. I am not surprised the little sprouts fell off, that is normal as the rose is adjusting to your garden/space.

If you have no growth (foilage) in the next month then I would seriously ask your local nursery for advice..only because they are "instant"..instead of having to wait for a reply here! hahaha. But make sure the nursery employees are knowledgeable with roses.. I trust Calloway's as they are properly trained with all plants.

keep us posted Beckysue.

Cindy
Thanks. I have noticed lots of the Knock Out Roses here too! It's funny you mentioned testing the soil. Because it reminded me that a couple of months ago one of the Home Depots close to me was going out of business and had a lot of stuff 1/2 off. I bought one of the battery operated Ferry Morse soil testers. It's supposed to test pH and fertility of soil. I had completely forgotten about it!! I'll get it out this week-end and play with it.

When I mentioned the foilage, I wasn't expecting it yet, just wondering how much I should expect by the end of the summer. It's been only 12 days since I planted them, should I see growth this early?

Some varieties of roses break dormancy more quickly than others Beckysue, so they will start putting on new growth a little sooner than others. Work in your leftover coffee grounds and crushed egg shells and banana peels into the soil around your roses....they will love it and it will not "burn" new growth like some fertilizers can.

I now have growth on all but two of the roses. About half have a few buds coming out on them. I will post some pictures very soon.

Cindylove, you had mentioned snipping off a small section to see if the plants were dead or alive. For the two that have no growth, is it too late to do that? And if I do it, what exactly am I looking for?

Beckysue, sorry i took so long, haven't been online a lot..not always out gardening either! hahaha.
It is not too late to check when you cut off a branch..either small or large look in the center of the cut part... hope I am explaining this well. What you are looking for is green..or close to it..if it is completely white/tan..it is dead..another way to tell is, when you cut it does it cut easily, like a "SNAP" or does it cut "squishy" ( laugh) as that means it is alive... the snap part means it is dead.
It may be too soon to tell but be aware that suckers can also come from the base of the plant..they will not produce any flowers & are to be pulled/cut out as soon as possible as that is taking away from the main part. They usually don't have any thorns on them.. like mine..but some roses are thornless to begin with so make sure which one is yours.

Hope this helps...