Last season I didn't know about the potting before planting method but always asked myself why some of the roses in the pots from the local nurseries look much stronger than the roses I planted directly in the ground. Then I came across this post from Bob Martin Growing Bare Root Roses in Containers and it makes perfect sense.

I'm trying this method on all my new roses this season (bare roots and own roots). The result has been good. Out of 17 new bare roots, a few still slowly wake up from their dormant state and one may not make it. However, I think without using the potting before planting method, the number of not waking up will be higher.

This method works perfectly for me because I'm still trying to figure out where to put all the new roses. I have a couple planted roses on my remove-and-giveaway list to make room for the new ones. I told my husband I would find rooms for all the new roses and he just smiled at me :)

I've done both. I received 9 bare roots a few weeks ago. I soaked them all for a few days, then I potted up a few of them I wasn't going to plant right away. Something I have noticed. Years ago, when I was trying to grow veggies in pots, I bought a big package of Pro Mix potting soil. It's condensed in a block and you have to wet it to activate it. It's a light soil mix, so it would not be good for plants permanently in pots, but for this it was great. I just took out one of the potted bare roots and it had put out tons of feeder roots into this soil. It has some kind of microorganism in it that helps with root growth. I also used it on roses that I had to dig up and keep over winter in pots, and I've noticed the same thing.

My only issue with keeping roses in pots is keeping them watered and having to bring them inside when the temps get very low.

I am really glad to hear these comments and glad to know I am not the only one whose potted bare roots did better than just sticking them in the ground. I have read comments about bands where some just planted them right where they wanted them to grow and they did fine. I normally pot all my bands and grow them out, with excellent results. I decided to try one in the ground - kept it watered, etc. I just dug the poor thing up and potted it and am hoping it will survive and thrive. Wont do that again.

Buford, is the Pro Mix something that can be purchased at a nursery? I have heard of Pro Mix but not in a block. Would like to try this. I get a really good soil mix from a large soil company that dumps a half yard in back of my truck - it is a mix of well aged mushroom compost, shredded pink bark and sand and everything grows well in it. I have roses coming from Roses Unlimited that will come in gallon pots - and am going to pot them instead of putting them in the ground. Did that last year with Apricot Candy, and the pot gave it an excellent start. Just from these 2 comments - I think I will not be planting anymore bare root roses directly in the garden but will pot first. Don't have a problem here in Texas with really low winter temps, lowest we get is a few hours of 25 or so. Never affects the roses.

I am getting a "pot ghetto playpen" made - having an area fenced in behind my horse barn that has good morning sun and dappled shade - I can move things around as needed [i.e. to protect from hot sun] and bought some professional nursery fabric to put down so it will look like a nursery display area. I have daylilies in pots too, so can arrange the plants in sections [like the Austins in one row, the Vintage roses in another, etc.] Then, when I get ready to plant, I can easily make my choice. I have been sick of having pots of plants everywhere, and since I will probably always have a pot ghetto as long as I garden, this seemed the best solution. Beth in California grows all hers in pots. I really like this method as the potted roses are easy to fertilize, water and can really monitor their progress.

Hope to hear some other comments on this..........thanks!

Judi

Yes, we bought it in a nursery.

I think if you treated the roses you plant in the ground as well as you planted in pots, then the ones in ground would do as well or better. Great soil and frequent watering?

I actually prefer growing them in containers. When I first started growing roses, I lived in an apartment and didn't want to plant them in the ground, seeing as how I only rented the place and didn't want to leave them if I ever moved. Later on, I did decide to try planting some in the ground, and only one survived. It does seem better to start them off in their own pots first, letting them become somewhat established with more of a root structure. It would give them a much better start at growing bigger and stronger, better able to handle being planted in the ground later on, should you decide to do so.

My neighbor loved my roses and he would always come by and buy some from me for his wife. There is one drawback to growing them in containers. Theft. I had this absolutely gorgeous rose called "Royal William." It had deep red, fragrant roses, that was my favorite. I came home one day and someone had come by and stole the plant right off of my porch. I've been wanting another one of that variety ever since.

But where I live now is a much better and more secluded neighborhood. I joke around with my friends about how I could leave all my doors wide open and leave for the day, and no one would bother my stuff, lol. I love my neighbors, and they all love my garden.

Hate a plant thief! Years ago, some low life came into my mother in law's yard at night and dug up about 6 of her lovely roses. She ended up driving past a house nearby hers and saw these newly planted roses in the yard of a ratty looking house. They all died. Karma! She is nicer than I would have been, I would have called the cops.......made the bums pay to replace the roses.

Really glad to hear that growing out in pots is successful. I have tried putting plastic edging around my newly planted roses to keep the water going straight down to their roots rather than running off elsewhere and it seemed to do well, but I am really seeing better results with these bare roots staying in their large pots a year. I am meticulous about watering, so that wont be a problem. I have one more order of bare roots coming from Hortico this week and will definitely be putting them in pots.

Judith

I have several bare roots in pots that do very well. I planted more about a month ago and they already have buds :) You just have to make sure your pots/potting soil is well draining and that you water often enough. Also really important with potted roses is to make sure you water well at least a half hour before you apply fertilizer. If you fertilize a dry pot the plant will fry lol. I only did that once!!

Thanks for the tip, s_j_n. Sometimes, I forget to water the plants first before fertilizing.

After reading these comments, and with my own experience, I have decided to pot up all the new roses I get for awhile. Once my "pot ghetto playpen" gets finished, I will have a large place to put all the pots - they will get morning sun and I can shade them if need be in hot summer - so think giving them a year in a good sized pot will be very beneficial.

Judith

Wow, alameda! I've had all sorts of stuff stolen, but they dug up rose bushes???? That's hardcore. I grew up in a small town where we didn't lock the doors. I don't know if times have changed or it's that I live in a big city, but wow,

Part of your decision making (pot vs. plant) may be the number of months of good rose growing the roses will have before summer heat stunts their growth.
In my garden stunting heat begins late June.
I have planted bare roots (a sale for the ages at Park Wayside over a decade ago, $1 per rose, last weekend in June) and I planted over 100 bareroot roses and lost none of them. But my summer that year was spent watering the roses every other day and I probably wouldn't do it now as wisdom has come with age.

Thank you for your comments. I find myself having fallen hard for the end of season rose sale. Trying to figure out the best course of action now that I have committed myself to 6 new bareroots and 6 new potted roses. I’m going to keep them in the pots for a season. And see what happens. Last year I plant 5 directly in the ground late in the season and only 1 of them lives now. Those aren’t good odds. Thank you for helping me figure out how i’m going to handle this gardener’s headache.

Last year, I got five bare roots. Four went into the ground with one planted in pot to give to a friend. None of the ones I put in the ground survive but the one I give to my friend is doing great. This year I got five bare roots, soaked them and put them in pots. Only one is struggling, a family of snails had made the pot their home. I plan on putting the roses into the ground this fall.