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Help! Bare root roses

West Midlands, United Kingdom Gb

Bare Root Roses. Some stupid woman (me) has just planted a bare root Mortimer Sackler rose in ericaceous compost doh 8~/ I dug a big hole, put 2 banana skins in the bottom and filled it with what I thought was multi purpose compost and some blood fish and bone. I was so lavish with the compost, far more than usual, almost a whole bag, hardly any soil went in. Then I gave it a bucket of water. Now, the question is this, Should I try to remove some of the compost, or will I do more harm than good? I know roses like acid soil, but this is possibly far too acid??? Any advice please:-)




Answers

 

Oh...I do have some lime somewhere I think:-)

24 Nov, 2010

 

I'm sure the rose will be fine Bornagain. Just stand back and watch the rose flourish with all that blood fish and bone. :-)

24 Nov, 2010

 

What a waste of expensive ericaceous compost is my first thought - I'd be inclined to heave it out and replant with a lot more soil - roses really like clay.

24 Nov, 2010

 

Do as Bamboo says, although there is calcium in bonemeal but not enough to counteract the acid, also you will not get the compost compact for good root growth.

24 Nov, 2010

 

It's freezing here at the moment, should I still attempt it? Bamboo, I was really annoyed with that stupid woman, not letting her near my garden again lol. Beattie, a woman after my own heart, leave it alone and hope for the best:-) Better do as Bamboo and Dr Bob say though, or they will only say "I told you so" when Mortimer doesn't thrive. Should I use my fingers in case I damage roots? Oh frabjous day calloo callay....I'll get frost bite:-((

25 Nov, 2010

 

If the ground is frozen, you can't do it - if its just cold out there, get your cacks on and go and do it - if it was a bare root plant, it shouldn't need handling too carefully, just loosen the compost around it and you should be able to get it out easily. Bear in mind that a rose prefers firmer soil than potting compost can provide, so this time, just add a couple of handfuls of compost (if that's what you're using) to the ordinary garden soil in the hole and plant in that. If you use all that potting compost, because its not loam based, it'll blow over in the first gale...

25 Nov, 2010

 

Okay Bamboo, pond has thin layer of ice, but I'll sacrifice myself...what if I get frost bite?

25 Nov, 2010

 

Frost Bite !!!!! Bite It Back I say LOL, Good Luck with your rose, we all make mistakes at one time or another LOL :o))))

25 Nov, 2010

 

Wear gloves, keep moving, do it fast, you'll be boiling in no time - I'm off outside to clear up some mucky leaves on the flowerbeds, and I have to say, I'm not looking forward to it for the same reasons - it's brass monkeys out there...

25 Nov, 2010

 

I admire your tenacity Bornagain! It's hailing hard here in Cornwall and I'm not going out gardening in it. I hope Mortimer rewards you suitably next summer. :-)

25 Nov, 2010

 

Done the leaves, quite warm by the time I finished - me I mean, not the outside temperature.

25 Nov, 2010

 

Now the leaves are off the trees the cold wind has nothing to stop it. I have been pointing a patio which means covering it, taking it off, pointing with anti freeze in the mix, then re-covering it. The brass monkeys are no help at all.

25 Nov, 2010

 

Anti freeze in the mix, never thought of that one, Docbob - but you're obviously doing the job properly, I always use dry mix brushed in and then watered. As for the brass monkeys, well, never were much use for anything at all...

25 Nov, 2010

 

It's in Plasticize Bamboo, fairy liquid will help, saltpeter shows on brickwork which has been put up in cold weather. Use very little water with Plasticize and it will not stain your paving.

25 Nov, 2010

How do I say thanks?

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