Received a bare root from David Austin today and when I have received them in the past they had more stems on them. This new one only has 3 stems, does this seem right?
Very poor form from Austins… they charge premium prices and send out stuff like that, on occasions, not always I should add.. of course if you got it at a discount then I might not complain, but if you paid full price I'd ask for another...
In my opinion, they've sent you a Grade B rose.. a Grade A rose should have at least 3 thick canes.. you have 2 medium thick and a measly thin extra... that is not what I think most vendors would regard as a Grade A... the problem for that thin cane is that it may not survive a heavy freeze up during winter.. the other 2 should be o.k..
@Marlorena I actually got this as a replacement for another one so no it didn't cost me anything. However I did think it all looked a bit skinny and sparse.
Do you think it will grow to be a normal size etc?
Oh yes it will be fine, there's nothing to worry about it, my concern was if you paid full price because it wouldn't deserve that... the rose will catch up, it's not a problem, except possibly as I said for the thinnest cane.... Just plant it as normal...
I should add that, if your rose is a very old variety, like from the 19th Century or something, then some of those very old roses are slow to build up canes, and they would have an excuse there for supplying you a rose that's below normal standard.. I should have said that's to be expected with some types of very old roses from yesteryear... but if it's a newer modern variety as I'm assuming, then it's not one you should pay full price..
I've just planted one as a matter of fact, an old Alba rose bred before 1840 and it only has 2 canes.... I can't complain about that... it's a rare type...
I've probably posted this before but for anyone looking in who orders bare root roses.. this is a photo of what you should expect for a Grade A rose...[for modern bred roses].. at least 3 thick canes from the graft... the rose above of Craig's is borderline at best in my opinion.. however it will grow, no worries... the roots are a bit short but that's ok...
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In my opinion, they've sent you a Grade B rose.. a Grade A rose should have at least 3 thick canes.. you have 2 medium thick and a measly thin extra... that is not what I think most vendors would regard as a Grade A... the problem for that thin cane is that it may not survive a heavy freeze up during winter.. the other 2 should be o.k..
Do you think it will grow to be a normal size etc?
Just plant it as normal...
I should add that, if your rose is a very old variety, like from the 19th Century or something, then some of those very old roses are slow to build up canes, and they would have an excuse there for supplying you a rose that's below normal standard.. I should have said that's to be expected with some types of very old roses from yesteryear... but if it's a newer modern variety as I'm assuming, then it's not one you should pay full price..
I've just planted one as a matter of fact, an old Alba rose bred before 1840 and it only has 2 canes.... I can't complain about that... it's a rare type...
Im glad to hear my recent arrival will catch up though!