Any time of year for rose planting

Press, 4 July 1978, Page 19

Any time of year for rose planting

(By M. LUSTY) Since the introduction of container grown plants, roses can be planted at any time of the year as long as those planted in growth are watered until they are established. Following planting, growth should be shortened by a third. The biggest demand is still for bare rooted roses which are sold during the winter months. Planting of these can take place at any time from leaf fall until September when new growth begins. Almost all roses are budded and, at planting lime, the union of bedding, shrub and climbing roses should finish up at soil level — no more, no less — whilst standards should be planted to the same depth as they were in the nursery. Whatever kind of rose is being planted, it is important to ensure that they are well firmed. Roses may be sold untrimmed, lightly trimmed or partially cut back, but whatever their state all will need more pruning. Late planted bushes or in fact all newly planted roses can be pruned at planting time although it is not unusual to delay the pruning of early plantings until September. Bedding roses (hybrid teas and floribundas): These roses should have all retained shoots cut back to four to six buds in the case of strong growers, such as “Peace,” “Uncle Walter” and “Queen Elizabeth,” and two or three beds with the weaker ones like “Scherzo,” “All Gold” and “First Lady.” I prefer to retain but three, at most four, of the best evenly spaced shoots only and prune to buds which face outwards, away from the centre. This will produce a well ’ranched bush with all stems arising from near ground level, a good start for subsequent pruning.

Standard hybrid teas and floribundas: At planting time these should be provided with strong stakes, using one of 0.75 m for half standards and of 2m length for standards. The stakes should be well driven into the ground ahead of planting; the graft union should be located just above the top of the stake when the rose is planted. Secure the stem of the rose at 250 mm above ground level and again just, below the union. Pruning of these is less severe than with ordinary roses with half the wood being removed from the strongest growers and two thirds from the weaker ones, applying the same procedures otherwise as for bush roses. Climbing hybrid teas and floribundas: Roses of this type are planted against some kind of support, whether a wall with trellis or parallel wires, a pergola or a stout pole. Remove about half the length of their stems, taking care not to prune too hard for there is a tendency for them to revert to the bush type of which they are only sports. Ensure that all new growth is tied in as it develops. Wichuriana climbers: These are much stronger growers than the previous group of climbers and need correspondingly more space. Too hard pruning following planting is scarcely possible and all stems are cut back to with\n 230 mm of ground level. Again ensure that all new growths are tied in as they develop and see that they are evenly spaced. Weeping standards: These are wichuriana climbers budded on to a long stem, usually one of 2m. Before planting insert a stake of at least 2.5 m into the ground with not less than 0.6 m under ground to ensure firmness of support. The union of

the rose should be just above the stake when it is planted.

To the top of the stake fix a metal framework in the form of a hoop to which the young growth will be tied; a large hanging basket without support makes a useful alternative. Pruning of these roses is the same as for wichuriana climbers, all shoots are cut back to within 230 mm of the union. Subsequent growth is allowed to develop until it has ripened, after which it can be tied down to the frame work.

Shrub and species roses: Select three well spaced main stems arising from the graft, removing the rest; cut off about twothirds of their growth. Any side shoots from

those stems which are growing inwards are removed and the remainder are cut back to one or two buds.

Miniature roses: require virtually no attention in the way of pruning at planting time unless there is some damaged growth which needs to be shortened back.