"are these #1 roses with roots in bark and plastic wrap not the same quality as from other sources?"

In a word, no. Why? Several reasons. First, the roots are badly hacked to fit into the very limited packaging. Secondly, the plants are often sub standard in quality. Thirdly and possibly most importantly, many of these "bulk" producers are still budding onto virus infected rootstock, so your risk of getting virused roses is far greater when buying these "discount" roses than buying from a more reputable grower. Opinions on this subject will vary, and thats fine, I accept that. But I won't spend five bucks on a discount rose when I can spend twelve or fifteen and KNOW that I am getting a quality plant for the money.

Remember, the purchase of the plant is the smallest part of your investment. Its the hours of care and all the other expenses you incur over the years you grow that plant that are the more significant cost. Buying discount plants often just means you are throwing good money after bad once they are in your garden. Again, just my opinion.

Paul

Paul, some people get a major part of their exercise from planting roses and then unplanting them a year or so later. In fact some people who are particularly hard headed do this for several years thereby greatly increasing the value of their garden exercise. If all of us were to follow your advice where or where do we get the replanting strength training.

Following Paul's program has enabled me to at least enjoy roses that are true to their name and flowers that are the right color. But now I have to really have to find a replacement workout for the digging out of bad roses.

Lance

Golly, Lance.......that hadn't occurred to me! I had no idea I was robbing you of the much-needed exercise! And you are right, "body bag" roses, as they are known, can frequently be mislabeled as well.

Regards,
Paul

Ha ha body bag roses, love the name!!

"Roses are usually sold as two-year-old, field-grown plants. They are graded according to vigor and size. The main grades are 1, 1 1/2 and 2. Number 1 grade is the largest, and each succeeding grade represents slightly smaller plants.
The size of top grades will vary with variety, but always select only the top grade available for the desired variety. A number 1 grade will have at least 3 canes approximately 3/8" in diameter. Most nurseries handle only 1 and 1 1/2. These grades normally are worth the extra investment. They produce more vigorous plants with abundant flower production."Bargain" roses, sold at extremely low prices, are often culls from the growing field and are below the grading standards for the lowest grade. Extreme care in selection is advised. They are not generally a bargain."

To the above I might add that all #1 grade roses are not equal. There are subgrades in each category. Jumbo and large are two #1 subgrades.
I've looked closely at the descriptions on many bagged roses and you have to be careful to understand the way they are worded. Some say first grade or top grade. That does not nesessarily mean #1 grade. Many roses that qualify for #1 grade status are so heavily damaged in harvesting or stored in less than prime conditions that they produce nothing but blind growth or have to be pruned so heavily, many of the canes have to be completely removed.
The bagged roses sold in most big box stores come from the Tyler Texas area. This area has a number of smaller family owned growers who sell their roses through a co-operative.
The quality varies greatly and most of the really good quality plants are quickly bought up by the better large mail order suppliers. The culls, some of which narrowly meet the various grading standards, are packaged and sold cheaply to the big box stores.
I've yet to open a bagged rose and find a good root system.
This is the root system I've found on a typical bagged rose. {{gwi:232554}}
I've not done anything to it, that's the way it was coming out of the bag. It was purchased just prior to giving a rose program and opened in front of a large group to demonstrate why one shouldn't purchase a bagged rose.
Although my experience with boxed roses is better, to get the roots neatly into those boxes, they are severely chopped off. The only plus for them is while in transit and sitting on the store shelves they manage to grow a few feeder roots. If planted in such a way as to not disturb the roots these feeder roots can help get the boxed rose off to a decent start.