Planting Roses in Containers
Select a container that will give the root system ample room.
Five-gallon nursery containers are the minimum size for most roses other
than miniatures; most will grow much more lushly in larger containers.
In a small pot a plant will become root-bound, which causes loss of
leaves and poor flower production, and can even lead to death. Wooden tubs and boxes are excellent for roses. Moisture can evaporate
through the sides, and the soil stays cool. The common porous
terra-cotta pots are simple, handsome, and readily available, but plants
tend to dry out quicker in these than in glazed pottery. Plastic pots
and metal containers, especially dark-colored ones, heat up in direct
sun, causing the roots on the sunny side of the container to die.
Whatever your choice in containers, be sure to provide good drainage, or
the roots of the plant may rot. It's advisable to have several holes in
the bottom of the container. Cleats, casters, feet, wooden X's, or small
pieces of brick positioned underneath the containers will keep the roots
from standing in water and help prevent root rot.
Use a growing medium composed of 3 parts sandy loam and 1 part organic
matter like peat moss or leaf mold. Most synthetic soil mixes available
ready-mixed in large bags will also give good results.
You can use containers to plant either bare-root bushes or plants
already growing in nursery cans. Roses that already have a head start
growing in containers seem to adapt better to container gardening:
Perhaps it's because their roots have already adjusted to a confined
space. Bare-root plants, in contrast, come directly from fields.
If you choose a porous clay pot, soak it for about 30 minutes before you
plant the rose, so the clay won't rob the roots of moisture. When you're
ready to plant, place pieces of broken pottery or screen over the
drainage holes to stop soil from washing through.
Add a few scoops of soil and set the plant at the correct height, just
as you would if you were planting it in the ground. Keep adding soil,
packing it down well to eliminate any air pockets. For easier watering,
leave 1.5 to 2 inches between the soil level and the top of the pot.
After you've filled the pot, soak the soil thoroughly.
You can cover the soil with a mulch, plant a shallow-rooted ground cover
such as Scotch-moss or babytears, or add a few seedling annuals to dress
up the container and provide color before the roses start to bloom.
Place the container where the plant will get at least six hours of
direct morning and midday sunlight. If the bush starts to lean toward
the sun, find a sunnier location and rotate the pot every few days to
ensure that the plant grows evenly. Keep the plant away from
light-colored walls during hot sunny days. Reflected heat can burn the
foliage. Miniature Roses
Miniature roses enjoy the same soil and care as their larger relatives.
Since they grow on their own roots (that is, they're not grafted), you
don't have to worry about the position of a bud union when planting. But
whether you are planting a miniature in a container or in the ground,
set it slightly deeper than it originally grew.
To plant miniatures in the garden, dig holes 8 to 10 inches deep, and
space them about 10 to 12 inches apart. You may want to space the plants
further apart in a warm-winter area, where miniatures tend to grow more
vigorously. Make sure the roses are not too close to large plants that
might rob them of much-needed sunshine and moisture.
Remember that catalog descriptions of miniature plant sizes are usually
based on indoor or greenhouse pot culture, where size is regulated by
restricted root growth. Although the flowers will remain tiny, many of
the miniature plants will grow 21/2 to 3 feet tall and nearly as wide
when planted in the ground, especially in warm climates. To keep the
bushes small, you may have to prune them back severely every year.
To grow miniature roses in containers, choose pots 4 to 10 inches in
diameter. If you will be growing them indoors, use a packaged synthetic
soil mix instead of garden soil to prevent the spread of pests and
diseases. |
