GARDEN FANATIC: Time to buy bareroot roses

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” “” J.M. Barrie

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Almost lost in the flurry of holiday revelry is the arrival of bareroot roses. Many nurseries introduce hundreds of cultivars this month through February. Roses require a period of winter “rest,” and during this time they are sold without roots or “bareroot.” Because these plants require less care and space, your favorite nursery will offer its largest rose selection of the year. You will save money on bareroot roses, and they are easier to plant!

Purchase bareroot plants from a reputable nursery. Cheap roses from mass merchandisers are rarely a bargain and require as much, if not more, initial care than quality ones. Plants are rated according to standards established by the American Assn. of Nurserymen, with each grade designated by a number: 1, 1 1/2 and 2. No. 1 grade are the best, generally the only grade you will find at a garden center. No. 1 1/2 grade are inferior in quality, and No. 2 grade are strictly a gamble. Take the Plant Man’s advice and stick with the No. 1 grade.

Before you buy, you’ll need to consider more than just flower color. Your nurseryperson can introduce you to: new roses, older favorites (which cost less because their patents have expired), fragrant roses, roses that will tolerate some shade, and most importantly, roses that will grow well in Laguna.

Although nurseries provide bareroot plants “close” to being properly pruned for planting, it is advisable to cut the canes back to about 6 to 8 inches above the bud union. Remove any new or small, twiggy growth before planting. This helps the rose develop its root system. All heavily damaged or broken roots should be removed. Soak the roots in a solution of vitamin B1 for a few hours; it is important that your rose is well hydrated prior to planting.

Dig a hole sufficiently large to accommodate the roots without crowding “” about 12 to 18 inches wide and deep. Work into the soil one part organic material: planter’s mix, leaf mold, or redwood compost, to one part soil you removed from the hole. A pH of 6.5 to 7 is best for roses, so I recommend that you also add Catharine’s rose cocktail (recipe follows) to the soil mixture. Build a mound of prepared soil in the hole to support roots and hold the plant at the proper height. The cone should be just high enough so the bud union is at ground level.

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Catharine’s Rose cocktail

Mix together: 1 cup of gypsum, 1 tablespoon soil sulfur, 1 tablespoon chelated iron, 1 tablespoon Epsom salts.

Hold the rose steady and fill the hole half full of soil mixture. Tamp down lightly, then fill the hole with water. This will settle the soil around the roots of the plant and remove any air pockets. After the water has drained away, fill the hole completely with soil mixture, leaving just a slight saucer-shaped depression to form a basin to hold water. Add water again to ensure the soil is completely saturated.

Water your rose daily until growth appears, then use a normal watering schedule. Your rose will leaf out faster if you mist the canes often with water. Roses require water both above and below the soil to fully develop in their new home.

The second week of December promises a second storm in as many weekends, with relatively frigid, early-morning temperatures downtown and in the Canyon. Meanwhile, the city maintains a remarkably green lawn at Main Beach and the orange and palm trees sway at Ann and Byron’s. “Only in Laguna” as we like to say! See you next time.

STEVE KAWARATANI is happily married to Catharine Cooper and has one cat and five dogs. He can be reached at (949) 497-8168, or e-mail to [email protected]