Bare Root Roses
David G. Hallstrom
The following article was written by David G. Hallstrom for and originally published by National Realtors Directory.com.
Bare Root Roses, what to look for when buying
The first thing to look for is the plants grade.
Nearly all bare root roses sold today are grown in the field and are approximetly two years old. They are sold in three main grades.
Grade 1 is the best and most expensive grade. In order to obtain this grade the plants are required to have at least three strong cains, two of which must be at least 18 inches in length for hybrid teas anf grandifloras. The canes should be at least 1/8 inch in diameter.
Grade 1 1/2 is the most popular grade due to its lesser price. In order to obtain this grade the plants are required to have at least two strong canes which must be at least 15 inches long for hybrid teas and grandifloras. The canes should be at least 1/8 inch in diameter.
Grade 2 is the least expensive grade. These plants are only required to have two canes 12 inches or longer. These plants can be a gamble as they may be stunted.
Note: Measurements are for plants when dug from the fields. Sometimes the plant sellers will shorten the length of the canes for easier handling. The number of canes remain the same and usually the thicker the diameter the better the plant.
There are three main sources for buying roses.
Nurseries are normally more expensive but are usually the best places to buy your plants. Plants are normally kept in sawdust thereby allowing you to inspect the roots. Plants with badly damaged roots are less likely to do well and may not make it at all. Additionally, a nursery usually carries a large variety of new and old standards. Finally, a good nurseryperson can provide advice as to which plants do best in your area and climate.
Mail order suppliers are normally less expensive and usually have a greater variety of plants than your local nursery, however you can not inspect the plants before buying and they sometimes arrive damaged. Furthermore, although most mail order suppliers are reputable a few are disreputable and ship very poor quality plants. Additionally, it is hard and can be expensive to return plants that you are unhappy with.
Supermarkets are inexpensive but usually carry a limited variety of plants. Additionally the plants usually come with their roots wrapped in plastic, therefore you are unable to inspect the roots for damage. Plants can be treated roughly in supermarkets, not only by the people that stock them, but also by customers. Therefore, there is a much greater potential for damage.
Should you buy newly developed varieties or the old standards
Which variety of plant you purchase depends on your taste and what is available for your climate.
There are hundreds of varieties of roses, however I prefer the older time proven standards. They may not come in as many color variations but they are reliable, still come in a large variety of colors and are usually more heavily scented I like to smell the roses. My two favorites are both red. The Chrysler Imperial is a full well shaped velvety dark crimson red flower with a rich delightful fragrance which grows on a heavily flowering medium height bush. Mister Lincoln has long buds with full open dark rich red fragrant flowers with long stems and grows on a tall bush with dark glossy leaves.
Roses, if properly cared for, can last years. Therefore, in order to obtain the most enjoyment from your plants it is a good idea to do your research. Spend some time looking at types, colors, shapes and sizes. Check catalogues, the internet, check out friends gardens and if possible go to an arboretum or nursery. Look at and smell the roses before buying.
For more information on what to look for when buying roses see http://www.nationalrealtorsdirectory.com/planbeforebuyingrosesarticle.html
About The Author
Permission is given to reprint this article providing credit is given to the author, David G. Hallstrom, and a link is listed to http://www.nationalrealtorsdirectory.com the owner of this article. Anyone or any company reprinting this article without giving proper credit and the correct link, is doing so without permission and will be subject to legal action.
Planting Bare Root Roses
David G. Hallstrom
The following article was written by David G. Hallstrom for and originally published by National Realtors Directory.com.
Planting Bare Root Roses
Before planting, the plants must be prepared. The following suggestions will help insure that your roses grow into healthy bushes, trees, etc.:
1. Your new roses have probably dried out during shipping or storage, therefore before planting, either bury the roots in wet saw dust or peat moss for several days or soak them overnight in water. Keep the roots wet when planting, do not let them dry out.
2. Prune damaged and broken roots.
3. Prune main roots just enough to reveal white healthy tissue. This will help more roots grow.
4. Prune the plant back to three or four healthy canes. Try to keep the center of the plant empty. Prune the healthy canes back to about six 6 inches using sharp pruning shears. Keep the cutting blade on the lower side. Cut at a 45 to 60 degree angle. Cut about one fourth inch above an outside bud union.
5. In order to prevent infection, treat the cuts with some type of sealent or sealing paint.
6. Make sure that you have removed any suckers that may have started growing during shipping or storage.
The following should be taken into consideration when selecting where to plant your roses.:
1. Roses are susceptible to mildew and funguses, therefore plant where there is good air movement in order to help the foliage stay dry.
2. Plant where the bushes will get at least six hours of sun a day with as much morning sun as possible.
3. Try to plant away from large trees and shrubs as they will compete for food, moisture and sunlight.
4. Find an area with soil that drains well or add gravel or cinder below the prepared soil. Poor drainage may cause root rot.
5. Try not to plant on a steep slope. Soil erosion can cause the root structure to become exposed.
6. Plant the bushes at least two feet apart, two and one half feet is better.
Digging and preparing the hole.:
1. Dig your hole twelve to sixteen inches deep and fifteen to seventeen inches wide.
2. Work compost or planters soil not potting soil into the loose dirt.
3. Make a cone of the prepared soil in the center of the hole in order to support the spread out roots and to hold the bush at the proper height. In cold winter areas the bud or graft union should be between one and two inches below the soil level. In mild climates the union should be an inch or so above the soil level. Planting the union below soil level helps protect from the cold and planting the union above soil level makes it easier to detect and remove suckers.
4. Place the plant over the cone, spreading the roots and then fill the hole with soil mix untill it is about two thirds full. Now fill the hole with water, let it soak in and then fill with water again.
5. After the second fill with water has soaked in fill the hole to the proper level with the remaining prepared soil. Now gently firm the soil around the plant.
After planting the roses it helps to add an organic mulch.:
1. Organic mulches can help rebuild the humus content of the soil, retain soil moisture, encorage root growth, controll weeds, prevent soil crusting and erosion, help even out soil temperature, add helpful bacteria, etc..
2. There are numerous types of organic mulch, such as bark, pecan hulls, peat moss and buckwheat hulls.
3. Contrary to old beliefs, mulch can and should be left on all year long.
For more information on what to look for when buying roses see http://www.nationalrealtorsdirectory.com/planbeforebuyingrosesarticle.html
For more information about bare root roses see http://www.nationalrealtorsdirectory.com/barerootrosesarticle.html
About The Author
Permission is given to reprint this article providing credit is given to the author, David G. Hallstrom, and a link is listed to http://www.nationalrealtorsdirectory.com the owner of this article. Anyone or any company reprinting this article without giving proper credit and the correct link, is doing so without permission and will be subject to legal action.
What Can Roses Do For You Today
Alexander Pederoski
In the past millennium, it has been ordinary to see roses and their depictions being one and the same as attractiveness and grace. This is evidenced in writings as far back as Shakespeare and probably further, demonstrating that roses have long been known as attractive and elegant. Obviously, the modern economy and most of todays business world has caught up with this notion, and has appealed to the concept of roses being the essence of loveliness, and often, even brought about this conviction. While this is not completely improper, roses have obviously become exceedingly pricey in the past few years. Florists have come into the market, and on a few holidays especially conceived for the sole purpose of exchanging greeting cards and roses, florists are able to pull in at least $75 for a dozen or so roses. Roses, while not cheap, have become a necessity for formal events and nice occasions; weddings being the best example of such. So what is the answer What is the cheapest way to get roses for a formal event Rose petals just might be the answer.
Rose petals make a wedding or any other occasion pleasant. Rose petals supply a great alternative to merely throwing rice. A couple of rose petals here and there all through the service can really add a pleasant feel to the day. Rose petals are available in an enormous variety of colors, shapes and sizes; therefore you are almost sure to be able to find something that will go well with your needs. However, be aware that most rose petals will cause discoloration. In light of this, you may want to think about freeze-dried rose petals. Freeze-dried rose petals will appear the same to ordinary rose petals, and yet you wont need to be concerned with stains on any kind of floor or carpet.
How to find the right petals
Freeze dried rose petals keep for a long time, so if you are setting up a wedding well in advance, you need not be worried that they will lose their gleam over time. In light of this, many people would rather order the freeze dried rose petals well in advance of the wedding, freeing up the planners to think about other more significant things when the actual ceremony comes around. Freeze-dried rose petals can be found in quite a few places, and includes most places that advertise any flowers or flower-related supplies. If being thrifty is a concern, think about purchasing rose petals through a wholesale distributor.
In all, rose petals can make a great addition to any wedding ceremony.
About The Author
Alexander Pederoski is the Webmaster of http://www.flyrose.com.