ROSES

I've seen a lot of plastic bags with rose plants in them sitting in yards as I've driven by. It's the season to get outside and plant. Many of you have succumbed to the call of the perfect rose. We all love them and want so very much to grow them and enjoy them in our homes. They are both beautiful and fragrant, so let’s see what we can do to help them be the very best they can be in our gardens.
Roses are considered difficult to grow and care for. That can be true, but once you know what they need, you’ll be considered by your friends to be a “rosarian” or one who knows their way around roses!
First though let’s get those roses out of the bags and into the ground!
Chances are the rose you brought home has been sitting on a shelf or in a truck for MUCH too long! It’s probably dry and undernourished. It’s crying for help!

The day before you’re ready to plant it, remove it from the bag and soak it for up to 24 hours. Before you put the rose into that bucket however, add some household bleach to the water. Add about 1/8th of a cup to 5 gallons of water. This will take care of any bacteria that are lurking in and around the roots. Many rosarians advocate adding a little liquid fertilizer to the water as well.
When they’ve had a proper soak, cut out (with a SHARP and CLEAN pruner) those roots and stems that are diseased, broken or dead! Go a bit beyond (about a quarter of an inch into the good wood) the dead or broken spot. You are now ready to plant.

Rather than try to explain all that here, go to this web site on Rose Care and follow the directions. It is from the North Dakota Extension Service…but that’s OK. It’s a good demonstration for you.
Next spring, when you get to the point you need to prune those roses, try this web site for some good advice!