To bury or not to bury the bud union

16 years ago

So yesterday I received my Palatine order. They are just lovely. I received Caramel Antique, Lucille Ball, Fragrant Cloud and Hot Cocoa.

I have not rototilled my new rose bed yet and we are slated to have possible snow on Saturday so I put them in 10 gallon pots. This means no mounding but I did spray them with Wilt Pruf. They are going to be on my semi protected front porch until further notice.

Okay my question. In my pots I planted the bare roots with the bud union either just above or right at soil level. Did I do wrong? The directions say bury the bud union but to the best of my knowledge I have never done that in the past.

Thank you.

Kate

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Comments (11)

karl_bapst_rosenut
16 years ago
If you get cold weather bury it. If the pots are temporary until you can put them in the ground. Just plant them deeper than they are in the pot. If I was going to keep them in pots I'd use a minimum 15 gallon deep pot.
katefisher
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Karl. We do get cold winter weather. Snow and temperatures down generally to around 20. The pots are temporary. I am going to get them planted in the next week or so Mother Nature willing.

So you are saying that when I plant them go ahead and get that bud union underground at that point?

Kate
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JaneGael
16 years ago
I'm in Zone 6. I ordered from Palatine yesterday and was told to bury the bud union 2" down to protect it from the cold. If you bury it you will be safe if it does get cold.
katefisher
Original Author
16 years ago
I can respect that. Are you saying I should repot them or are you referring to when I get them in the ground? Are they in theory fine outside for tonight or should I bring them in? These roses are so nice I don't want to mess them up.

Kate
regina_nv
16 years ago
Kate, once the roses go into the pots, you are telling them to start putting out roots and to break dormancy. If you try to move them to the ground in a couple of weeks, all the soil will fall away, any roots which are forming will be exposed, and you will be shocking the growing plant.

If you want to put them into the ground that soon, I think you need to get them out of these pots, into a garbage can of water. Otherwise, you should wait until the roots have filled the pot so you can remove the root ball intact. I think your plan could damage those plants.

The height of the bud union is really not terribly critical in your climate. I plant at about soil level in a colder zone than yours.

Regina, who was also at the Sacramento Cemetery Saturday, thoroughly enjoying the spectacular spring bloom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sacramento Historic Cemetery, Spring 2002
mgleason56
16 years ago
Hi Kate,

I'd keep them in pots for at least a few months before planting. You can baby them easier, and just in case you ended up with a mis-labeled plant, you will not have to dig it up. I do not know about your weather, but I thought I remembered a post where you mentioned that it was pretty cold. Burying the bud union will not adversely affect your plants, and will protect it if it does indeed drop down real low.

Palatine are really amazing aren't they? Just potted mine up tonight after soaking for 5 days (mainly because it was just too cold to pot up). I got;

Osiria
Yorkshire Bank
South Africa
Paradise
Lucille Ball

The Paradise replaces a body bag that had RMV. I cremated her tonight. Lucille Ball was a surprise. I spoke to Rene about how he was able to sell it, and one ended up in my box. I have it already as an own root, but having it grafted on multiflora is just outstanding!
diane_nj 6b/7a
16 years ago
Kate, leave them be in the pots, but when you plant them in the ground, bury the bud union at that time.
katefisher
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Mike and Regina:

I see what you're saying. About leaving them in the pots for a bit that is. I just cannot plant them now as not only has this week been one of very cold nighttime temps but they are talking snow on Saturday/Sunday. Plus my new rose bed is not yet ready.

My only concern in not planting them for a few months, say three months for example, would be a worry about putting them in the ground in July. Too hot then?

Regina I have heard that you can soak bareroots for weeks and all. But the instructions from Palatine said DO NOT soak for more than 24 hours or you will damage the roots. I did soak my body bag bareroots for longer but did not care if they made it or not.

Appreciate your feedback. I'm going to post a picture later today for you Mike to see if you think I have them in sufficiently large pots.

Kate
karl_bapst_rosenut
16 years ago
You can also plant the potted rose, pot and all, and go back later after it's had a chance to form a solid rootball. I've done this on roses I'm not sure that they're in their final home. Just don't forget Like I do occassionally. Just last week I found one planted three years ago that I had to remove from the pot. I wondered why it wasn't doing well.
katefisher
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Karl.

What a cool idea. I might try that with another bareroot I have. Just out of curiosity what rose survived that kind of treatment for three years?

Thank you for your time.

Kate
mgleason56
16 years ago
I have lots that survive in pots for years. I just dig up every other year and replace potting mix.

To bury or not to bury the bud union

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