Roses 001-187_84166
10/30/05
2:54 PM
Page 98
Planting Your Roses roots about a half inch to promote new growth. Now look at the canes, or top growth. Trim off damaged or deadwood, and then cut them back so that they are about eight to twelve inches tall. By cutting the canes short, you give your rose a chance to develop a healthy root system before it uses energy supporting the top growth.
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HYDRATE! Your bareroot roses will be very thirsty after their journey. Fill a bucket with water, add some vitamin B1 (you can find this at your local nursery) and submerge your plants, canes and all, for up to 24 hours. Another method to keep them fortified and hydrated is to soak them in a mixture of equal parts soil and manure, with enough water added to make it pourable. Keep them in the mixture for an hour, then remove them. The mud will dry caked on the roots to form a protective coating that will nourish them and encourage growth.
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CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPOT, AND DIG: Most experts recommend digging a hole about two feet deep by two feet in diameter in well-drained soil. Place the top 12 inches of soil (topsoil) off to the side and finish digging the hole. Mix soil taken from the lower part of the hole with an equal-size helping of compost and set aside.
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