How to Pot a Container-Grown Rose Plant

Rose bushes can be fragrant and delicate blooming additions to your patio or deck. Container-grown rose plants refer to those types of roses that can be easily transplanted from the pot from the nursery straight into a decorative garden container. Potting a container-grown rose requires careful initial planting to create the best environment for your rose to thrive and grow. Let's look at the best way to pot a container-grown rose bush.

Things You'll Need

• Gravel Potting soil Peat moss Bone meal Planting pot Clippers Garden hose and water Screwdriver Hammer

Instructions

How to Pot a Container-Grown Rose Plant

1. Examine the bottom of your chosen container to check for drainage holes. If there aren't any, punch a few into the bottom of the planter pot with a screwdriver and hammer. Position the container in its permanent location since this pot will be quite heavy when filled with rocks and soil.

2. Line the bottom 2 inches of the planter with gravel. This promotes drainage and blocks the drainage holes to prevent soil loss out the bottom of the planter.

3. Carefully clip the plastic plant pot around the rose bush to remove this temporary pot. Squeezing the planter to loosen the soil will also free most plants. Cutting allows you to peel away the plastic pot and prevent damage to the roots.

4. Hold the rose plant root ball in your hands and gently work your fingers into the soil. Don't press too hard but wiggle your fingers to loosen the dirt to encourage the roots to grow out rather than back into the center of the root ball. A light spray of water directed at the root ball will also release some dirt to free the roots.

5. Fill the planter half full with potting soil. Throw in a few handfuls of peat moss and mix thoroughly. Peat functions to provide nutrients to the soil and helps with drainage. If you choose to add nutrient-rich bone meal to the soil, pour it in while creating the soil mixture.

6. Place the rose bush into the planter so the base of the main stem lies 1 to 2 inches below the planter's edge.

7. Add potting soil and peat moss to the planter until the level reaches the base of the plant. Press down on the soil to firmly remove air pockets. Continue adding soil until the dirt reaches an inch or two below the planter rim.

8. Mulch the top surface of the planter to retain water. You can also use excess gravel to help cool the uppermost layer of soil in the planter.

9. Water the base of the plant until the soil becomes damp but not sopping wet. Allow the soil to become just slightly dry between watering.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose larger planters to allow plenty of room for your roses to grow. This reduces stress to the plant by eliminating the need for frequent re-potting. Fertilize container-grown rose plants every 2 weeks for vibrant growth and blooms.

References

• All America Roses