In my case, about 2 months or maybe a little longer. I'm really not good with pots, but two years ago I was keeping my Rogue Valley mystery roses in their band pots to see what they were before planting them. They really seemed to sulk in the bands and only took off with new growth and (eventually) blooms once I got them in the ground. Part of my trouble in keeping them in the bands is that I am inconsistent at spending time in the garden, so I have to keep the bands in trays where I water the bottoms, and after a while the soil gets musty smelling in this treatment. As I said, I'm not good with pots.

In my world, there's nothing inherently wrong with keeping them in the band pots as long as circumstances allow if that's what happened for one reason or another. The rose will sulk and not grow (like mine) if it wants more room to spread out or nutrition, or the roots will start coming out the bottom of the pot if they outgrow the band. Either way, if the rose is still surviving there's nothing wrong that can't be fixed by transferring it in a larger pot or in the ground. A lot of folks transition bands to larger pots to encourage them to spread out, but there are some cases where the rose will sulk at first if it's in too big of a container. New cuttings or really small bands might be best just left where they are to make sure they truly have good roots before transitioning them anywhere.

Bottom line is - no need to be ashamed. If you kept those bands alive for whatever period, you're doing well, and nothing stops the rose from doing even better whenever you get it transitioned to where it's going. Roses are tough critters - they don't always arrive when it's convenient for doing something with them, so it's OK to let them handle less than ideal conditions if needed!

Cynthia

Thanks Cynthia. I guess I needed to hear that. I made an impulse purchase about 2 months ago. Heirlooms sale was just about over and I haistily ordered Louise Clements. I had Agusta Louise on my mind, and I thought that's what it was. Rather foolish. To make things worse, I have procrastinated in potting it up. It looks fine, I guess my heart isn't really in it, so disappointing. I really should give it a chance. Lisa

Lisa you will like Louise! I got mine as a band late last year, and this year it's really been blooming nicely most of the summer.

That's really good to know. Thank you! I will take care of her this weekend. Is she very orange? I'm hoping she has some pink as I'm not a fan of orange. Apricot or peach is alright too. Lisa

Oh! I do like her! I just potted her up this evening and told her that I was sorry for the neglect Yours is very pretty. I feel much better about her now. She really is lovely and I see pink in the open blooms. Thank you very much. Lisa

Lisa, I received not one, but two mislabeled roses this season and I wasn't very excited about planting them either. Looks like you may fare better than I have because I'm still "egh" about them.

In this dry climate.... about a week. Also, quite often, the soil bands arrive in does not appear to be anything other than something to sustain its life for a short time period.

I try to put them in at least a 1 gal pot as soon as possible, but sometimes I've had them in there for a month. They dry out pretty quick so I don't want to chance the bands dying if I forget to water for a day or two. But as long as they are alive, you did a good job.