Question

Climbing roses help I Ordered some bare root climbing roses online and they’ve been delivered today. I’ve seen to soak the roots in water before I plant? How long for? And then what shall I do with them while the weathers been frosty/snowy recently?  

Answer 1

Yes you do soak them for a few hours before you plant them. Are the roots in a bag and are they quite dry at the moment?  

Comments

@article thank you

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@andes thank you I never knew this

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@nijinsky I scatter it on the soil, like talc, in March to boost the start of growth, and again in June or July but then only around plants that are still going strong and need another boost. Not on stems and leaves as it burns them. Wiggle it in with a handfork. Wear gloves.  

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@nijinsky poundland x

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@article great thanks I’ll hold off a few weeks then  

Answer 2

Don't leave them soaking if there's a chance the water could freeze.  

Comments

@offutt7 i normally leave mine standing in a bucket in the bath

Answer 3

Don't try to push the rose down into the pot. to force its roots flat so you can cover them with soil you will break them put some soil in your pot then in the middle of the pot build a road cone shape then sit your rose on top of it all its roots will be touching the soil cone like its gripping it then just hold it there till you put the rest of the soil into the pot firm the soil in well so you don't leave any air pockets when your filling it in if theres any dead or dieing roots on it when you take it out of the water prune them off b4 planting it

Answer 4

John Stoves I want but white

Answer 5

You can 'heel' your bare root roses in a sheltered spot until you have prepared your final planting sites - dig a trench, place the roots in and backfill. These roses will eventually stay in place for a long time so take time to really enrich the soil where they'll be going - dig holes as deep and wide as you can and backfill with plenty of well rotted manure mixed with the removed soil. If your soil is heavy clay, add some grit or sand to assist drainage. Plant your roses, tie them to a trellis, wires, arch or other supports (always leave a 3" gap between house walls and supports). Keep the stems of climbing roses as horizontal as possible as you tie them in - 'snake' them up the trellis, rather than tie them in vertically. Roses are 'gross feeders' and need feeding with a rose food in June, August and end Sept in the UK