Hi Lisa

Welcome to the world of roses. You sound like you have been bitten by the "rose bug". Before you know it you will be putting in fresh beds just so you can add more roses.

I'm not going to say too much about tips not being a great expert myself. There are others on this forum who are much more informed than I am. However, when I plant a rose bush I usually put a banana skin in the hole. Roses love bananas. I also use bone meal and slow release fertilizer and just a bit of epsom salts. Mix all that in to the loose soil in the bottom of the whole and plant. If I have good compost or a bag of manure I will add that to the hole too. Plant any bud union about 1" below the soil surface and then add mulch on top.

I wish you great sucess and many more roses to come.

Gilli

Hi, Lisa, I am pretty new to roses, too, but I know this: Putting a hundred-dollar rose in a ten dollar hole is pointless. Put a ten-dollar rose in a hundred-dollar hole and success will be much closer. The point is, make sure your initial planting hole is properly amended unless you already have super soil. Then, water enough without overwatering while the plant establishes it's root system.

This is a potted-plant planting technique I learned here on the forum, and it is super:

Dig your hole out and get it amended. Cut the bottom of your nursery pot all the way off, then place a couple rubber bands around the pot or tightly tie some twine around it. Then slice the nursery pot from top to bottom (being very careful not to cut roots) in at least one place, two is good. The rubber bands or twine will keep the pot around the rootball. Then "plant" the whole pot with the bud union of the plant at the proper level. After you have backfilled your hole you can cut the rubber band or twine, then lift the cut pot out. This preserves your rootball and minimizes transplant shock.

Wait to fertilize fully after the roses are done with their bloom flush.

Have fun! Start planning where you are going to dig your next beds when you cannot help but buy that rare or unusual rose that you just have to have!

Love the tip about the pot and rubber band. Thanks ladies!!

" Before you know it you will be putting in fresh beds just so you can add more roses." I was outside looking at where the sun is so I know which area gets at least 6 hours!! I am already planning my rose bed, but want to see some before I do it. Unfortunately, the 5 roses I just bought need to be planted soon.

Can't wait to read more tips!!

Okay, here's my tip...go to the bookstore and purchase 'Roses for Dummies'. Your new roses will be much more challenging than Knockout and you'll be astonished at the variety of fungal ailments that can befall a rose in the South. If you know something about blackspot, anthracnose, cercospora and powdery mildew in advance, you won't get freaked out when it appears on your roses.

lisa, how big are the pots your roses are in? If you are not going to be ready to plant them in the gorund pretty soon you could always repot them to larger pots until fall. i believe in the South fall is the best time to transplant a rose. For us in the "frigid north" Spring before new growth appears is the best time. That would give you some time. Just be sure and water and fertilize more frequently if you decide to keep them in pots. Oh, and remove the bottom catch dish.

"My goal is to be able to sit outside with a book..."

mmmm...questionable...very questionable! LOL.

Anyway, you have entered into an addictive zone...beware! But it's fun like you wouldn't believe...welcome!

I have to agree with Joanne. If you have become passionate about gardening especially with roses you will never get another moment's rest:) But you won't mind a bit.

If you want to get your husband in the game find out if there are ANY plants he likes. Doesn't matter what it is. For my husband it used to be bamboo and roses. So I have planted a few of the former and tons of the latter and over the years that has helped foster his interest in what I'm doing. Just a thought.

Kate

Uh-oh...you've got the bug and you'll NEVER be the same! Check the FAQ page. Tons of great info and it's free.

Here is a link that might be useful: Everything you'll ever need to know about growing Roses (well, just about!)

kate, VERY good tips for getting the husband involved, or at least interested...or tolerant, lol! My husband still has no desire to be a part of the planning or planting, but has really good eyes for roselsugs. He won't squish them though, so he spots and I squish.

I told him to grab a corner of the yard and make it his...but he will only go so far as having an input on flower color. Oh well, I guess it's enough that he doens;t curb my obssession. In turn I try to curb myself. ;o)

Lisa -- Where in TX are you located?

My cousin near Houston is a member of the ARS Rose Society there, and I know they are knowledgeable.
You might also want to visit the Antique Rose Emporium, near Brenham, as they specialize in roses and other plants which are good for Texas gardens.

Finally, do check into the Earthkind Roses.
You won't regret it!

Jeri

I would ditto what Cecily said. Also try Orthos book on roses. I planted my first rose in 1985. The next day I bought Orthos book, read it and immediately dug up the rose and planted it in the proper location. It survived over 20 years of my experimentation (nothing like a first child) until a Wisteria's roots (another dumb mistake)forced me to dig it up....And as a caution since you are in the south: Fungicide will more then likely be necessary on many roses, but do not use insecticides unless the health of the plant is greatly affected. There are lots of bugs in the south that are annoying, but can be ignored or dealt with without getting out the big guns (chemicals). When in doubt ask.

Welcome. I hope you're not the addictive type! This place is a habit and roses are wonderful. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if you're not sure about asking. Most of the folks here are nice and helpful.

Carla

Thanks everyone!! Carla is right-you all are so nice to the "newbie".

Jeri-I am in NW Houston. I plan to get to Brenham, although I have heard not so good things lately.

I went and bought the Roses for Dummies book before reading this post. Looks really great!!

I think I know where the rose bed will be in my yard, but I have to make sure it is where I definitely want it. This gardening is addicting!!

We (we're in CA) were at ARE in November last year.
The garden was still spectacular.
This is one of the places you can see how roses grow in an area much like your own.
And that's important, because you don't need to know how well a rose does in my SoCal garden.
You need to know how it will perform in YOUR garden.

The Jaune Desprez we brought home from ARE in Nov. has reached the top of its arbor already.
It has never had a speck of disease.

Jeri

Welcome, Lisa. I know you'll have lots of fun on this forum. The best advice that I've gotten on this forum I'd like to pass on to you, which is the use of alfalfa as fertilizer. It's a natural, organic substance that the roses and in fact all your plants will love. I use the alfalfa meal which you just scatter around the roses and water in. It enriches the soil and stimulates greater growth and bloom. I wouldn't be without it.

Ingrid

Hey, ingrid, (or anyone) about that alfalfa meal? I keep wondering something; I have lots of cedar mulch down right now, since my plantings are mostly very new and haven't filled out enough to crowd many weeds. This makes it a little inconvenient for feeding with granulars or adding coffee grounds, banana'smoothies' or any such thing. Do you think someting like alfalfa meal can be spread ON the mulch then watered down? Or do I need to pull it all back and apply?

My mulch is made up of tree leaves so it's not that much of a problem. However, what I often do if there's a thicker layer of leaves I stand over the rose bush and pour the alfalfa over the middle of the bush so that most of it goes into the crown of the bush and from there on the ground, since the mulch is around the rose bush, and not actually in it. Then I stand over it with a hose, spray off the leaves that have alfalfa meal on them and spray down into the middle of the bush where there really isn't any mulch. It seems to work. It's too much work for me with over 80 roses to pull away the mulch, especially since bending forward is problematic for me, and my method seems to work. With newly planted roses I apply the alfalfa first, water it in and then apply the mulch. I have a feeling though that even if you put it on top of the much at least with handwatering the force of the water would sooner or later force the alfalfa meal downward.

Ingrid

I decided not to make a rose bed yet. So, I planted 3 of my new roses in an already established front yard bed: Disneyland, Plum Frost and a yellowish rose I don't know the name of.

Still to plant is Wildfire and Tahitian Sunset. Those will go in my backyard, probably next weekend.

I went and bought some compost since mine is not ready yet. Dug a good size hole, and planted using the dirt and compost. Watered really well at the ground level. Forgot to add bonemeal. Is that going to be a problem?

Alfalfa-where do I get it? Is it pellets or granular? How often do you apply it?

Thanks!!

You can get pellets or alfalfa meal which is ground up alfalfa. The latter is what I use. I got mine in a feed/garden store in a large bag which was specifically for plants. You might have to call around a bit. You can also get the kind that's animal feed; just make sure you get the kind that doesn't have added salt.

Ingrid

Selecting roses that are easy to grow and disease-resistant will make it possible for you to enjoy your roses AND read that book! (Hey, you could read to your roses, let us know how that works!). Seriously, I'd recommend a book by a fellow Texas, Liz Druitt, The Organic Rose Garden. She has very interesting taste and recommends lots of different roses. Leave space between your roses so you can add bulbs, herbs, and flowers-- roses like company! Of this year's orders just 3 plants were from ARE and they have done OUTSTANDING. Countryside & Roses Unltd. are also good sources but plants are smaller.

Thanks. So as I sit and look at my roses, I will read from the Organic Rose Garden book. Maybe, when the roses see how much time I am spending with them, they will show me some love back!! Oh I can only hope.

Now I have to give them friends?? Who would a rose consider to be a best friend??

No, you are slightly off-course. You read to them from the Organic Rose Garden book so they know exactly what to do and how to behave! If you don't teach them by reading, then how will they know? Then, when they misbehave you can pull out the book and remind them what a healthy, mannerly rose is supposed to do and they have no excuse. ;o)

I had to laugh at 'relaxing and reading the book' statement too. I love to read, but it would take about two years to get through a book in my garden. I try, then I notice a spent bloom that needs deadheading. I sit back down, oops, there is a weed....
I have Disneyland and it is a beauty, but it does need to be sprayed or you will have black spot. Regarding spraying, be sure that your roses are well watered at least a couple of hours prior to spraying and don't spray in the hot sun, I find that morning works best for me after I watered well late afternoon the day before. I have found the organics work much better as fertilizer. Also be sure to water the entire bed, not just near the rose bush. The roots grow out quite far, watering close up won't get to them. Water well. I have found that many of the David Austin roses do well in the heat and hold up better than most, especially Mary Magdeline, Sophy's Rose, LD Braithwaite and Ambridge Rose. I also find it helpful to pay close attention to zones when people post here. While I agree with everything written on this post, it is all universal, many things are regional. A rose that works well somewhere else may not work well for you in your zone.
Welcome Lisa. Come pick out brains any time.
Nancy

I have been away for the last 4 days and came home today to a very severe rainstorm. I gave hubby directions to water the newly planted roses on Mon. and Wed. night, by the roots, not the leaves. It rained yesterday and then today.

I went out to look at the roses and they do have buds and some very water logged blooms. Also noted that some of the leaves are turning yellow. Uh-Oh...what do I do now? Will look for the alfalfa pellets/meal this weekend.

By all means jump in - with both feet. But let's understand this - one doesn't jump into rosedom, one falls into it, plunging head long with no hope of stopping the slide. Just make sure that you brace yourself for a good landing, because you will need both feet on the ground again. And hang on to your wallet and credit cards with both hands.

One thing is for sure, this is one addiction that you will have no regrets falling for.

I found alfalfa meal at a local nursery. Tomorrow, I am going to go there with pictures of my roses, so they can tell me if the bushes are water logged or have disease/pests on them. Some of the leaves are yellow, but do not have bright green veins. Some have brown tips. Then I'll buy the alfalfa.

Anyone use fish emulsion? What other types of organic things do you use on your roses? I will also be planting 2 hybrid tea's that I did not plant last weekend.

Almost finished with the book, Roses for Dummies. Then will get the other one that was mentioned to me-the Organic Rose Garden. Once I get these last 2 planted, I will start looking for "friends" to plant with them.

I am also starting to plant several hibiscus in my front yard-just planted 6 of those. No smell, but the blooms I just love!! Hoping to have a very colorful yard in the future!!

Some of my favorite "friends" for roses are iris (the green spears contrast quite effectively with the rose bush); white hardy geraniums and the bluish hardy geranium called Rozanna; daylilies (but avoid the newer super large ones); silver mound or silver brocade; salvia (I like May Night best); daisies and Black-eyed Susans. I also tuck in mums just about any open spot I find--mostly white ones. Makes a great show in the fall--white mums everywhere with roses popping up in between. The mums also have a rather pretty frilly leaf edge that looks nice earlier in the season. And mums mostly take care of themselves.

Any number of annuals can be stuck into open spots here and there.

Have fun planning!

Kate