planting a potted rose

by maude
(sudbury, ontario)

Just read your advice on planting rose bush in peat container. The only instruction from the independent seller was to leave the shrub rose in the pot. We did that and put amended soil all around and on top of the pot and I've been watering faithfully. That was a week ago. I think I should dig up the pot and follow your instructions. My husband says that would disturb the shrub and better to leave it alone. Please advise. Doug, you have convinced me to relax with your advice that if I like my garden, who cares if it pleases anyone else. Thank you. Also I loved your article on the Cottage Garden becasue it made me realize that that is the garden I want and am always working towards. Now I have a name for my collection of everything in front of my veranda. Thank you again.

Doug says that if you want the rose to grow into a real bush, then you have to make sure the pot degrades. You can do this by scoring the edges, taking it out of the pot, or by tearing chunks out of the pot. Those heavy "paper" pots do not degrade very quickly contrary to what some garden retailers will tell you.

You can leave it in there but don't neglect your watering (it won't absorb food or water from the soil while the roots are still in the pot) and you'll have to do this all summer without fail. With any luck, it will be degraded enough by next spring to let the plant grow nicely on it's own.