Planting rose trees

valerieroberts

Wonderful day, my rose order has arrived from the fragrant rose co. They look really strong stemmed. Nearly all HT type. The problem I have is that it says on the planting guide firm in
ensuring the Union (where shoots break out of the main stem) IS JUST ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.
I thought the consensus is now to be below ground level. Any thoughts please, Valerie 

Marlorena

@valerieroberts … Valerie... what you should do is follow the instructions given by the vendor, as this conforms to their plant guarantee.... it doesn't matter what I do or anyone else does, they should all grow successfully regardless, but if you are the type of person that values a plant guarantee, it is important to stick to how they advise you to do it...

...saying that, because I don't actually care about plant guarantees, I do it my way [below soil level], but in doing so I am nullifying the guarantee given by Style Roses [they are the same company as Fragrant Rose.. trading under another name]...

...here is their guarantee.. I've highlighted important parts..

''Guarantee - All bare-root and newly potted roses are guaranteed to grow by July 1st following delivery from the previous autumn or spring otherwise will be replaced and not refunded in the following November with a bareroot rose of the same variety and type or if no longer available with the most similar rose available at that time provided they were originally handled, stored and planted as advised in our planting instructions.

No responsibility is taken or given for losses as a result of adverse weather conditions, failure to follow our planting and aftercare instructions, lack of water, unsuitable planting position or unsuitable growing medium. In the unlikely event of a complaint, it should be made by 1st July (in year 1 of supply) in writing and you must also provide photographs of the plant showing the full plant in planted position, close up image of any damaged or dead growth, close up image of Plant Label or return the goods with your order details. Plants that fail under the above terms will be replaced in the following autumn with a bare-rooted plant of the same or similar variety if not available. 

We do not offer cash refunds.

Any rose that dies as direct result of not following our advice or adhering to the Planting and Aftercare information provided with the rose will not be replaced or refunded under any circumstances.''

...so it's up to you really... best of luck...

Busy-Lizzie

I plant below ground level too, that's what David Austin advises. If you need a photo later then just scrape the earth away so it looks as though the rose was planted above the union level. But they should be fine if you keep them moist the first year.

Nollie

Below ground for me too. I inherited a couple of hybrid tea roses planted with the graft union above ground and they were ugly-looking, fat, gnarled knobbly things at the base. Visually, I think they might have looked better with the union buried...

It is confusing that you can buy the same rose from one supplier, who says above, and another that says below.

valerieroberts

Apologies for the late reply to all for the excellent advice given. My broadband hub blew in a storm Sunday night. I was looking at the rose trees and they are such good trees I’ve decided to do it their way. If fact when I was watching our hero Monty planting some rose trees I thought he must get them as good as that because he’s famous and on tele. Happily, most of my trees are as good. They are in a greenhouse and only for cutting, the other part of my Christmas present is a load of cow well rotted and I shall put a deep layer around to help conserve moisture. Will update you in the summer to let you know how they are coping with a greenhouse environment. Many thanks and happy Christmas. Val

Busy-Lizzie

Why are you planting them in a Greenhouse? Roses like to be outside. Or are they a different sort from most of us who have them in our gardens and are only used for cut flowers? Like the commercial growers for florists?

valerieroberts

Hi Busy-Lizzy, it’s a matter of the only place there is. We usually grow carrots and veg in there in the summer with the glass out of the roof. BH (better) has given me Part of his allotted space as I’m so keen for cut roses for the house. I am a bit greedy when it comes to flowers. The smell is something I cannot usually find at the florists. The ones in the greenhouse are all HT which I noticed grow in hot countries abroad that I saw on our travels. David Austin types are in the border close enough to the path for cutting. Keeping fingers crossed. Val

Nollie

If it’s the type of greenhouse that has a strip of ground for you to grow them in, you will be fine, Valerie. If you have to put them in pots, get the biggest you can fit in and keep them very well watered. If you mulch with manure, keep it away from direct contact with the stems - maybe better in pots to mix a couple of handfuls in with a soil-based compost. I usually do this with roses in pots, then mulch with ordinary compost. Keep the greenhouse well-ventilated by opening the doors and vents during the day, even if there is no glass in the roof.

Happy rose growing!

valerieroberts

Thanks Nollie,  yes, the borders are raised and filled with good quality soil to about 2 1/2 foot deep. May have to keep the glass in this year as getting old.  I did get carried away and have had to cram them in a bit 2 x 2 ft each. Plenty of compost and blood,fish & bone meal as well. Thanks for the tip keeping the manure off the stems. I am so exited, Val 

Nollie

Sound’s fab, Valerie, good set-up. Very easy to get carried away 

valerieroberts

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌝🌈🌹🌹🌹 will keep you posted this summer,  Valerie