Planting roses now can be done — with some dedication

Q: Did I jump the gun? Last week, I read your article that warns about pruning back roses this early. Well, on Valentine’s Day I gave my love a real living rose, you know the kind that has the roots in a plastic bag. So, do I plant it now or wait? If I wait until the weather gets nicer, how should I take care of it in the meantime while the rose is still in the bag? — Y.L., Albuquerque

A: I am thrilled that you gave your love a living rose. What better way to show how much you care than a rose that could live and bloom for years. Good on you.

You have two choices here and neither one will be wrong, just you will be required to do consistent hands-on tending of this plant.

Planting the rose now you have some rules to consider. First, roses like growing in a spot that will receive six-to-eight-hours of sunshine a day. On that note, reflective heat could be troublesome, so look at where you are thinking of planting. Also, they really do best where they’ll get great air flow. Tucked up in a corner isn’t the best location at all.

When you have decided on the spot, I want you to dig the planting hole three times as wide as the bag holding the root mass. That soil should have some organic matter mixed in it to offer the planting adequate nutrition and keep the native soil from compacting.

Now some fun! In a bucket or tub, place half the amended soil that came out of the hole and some water so you mix a pliable mud mixture. Pour that mud into the hole and form it into a volcano shape, aiming so the top of the volcano is just below the surrounding ground level. Now cut the bag holding the rose and remove it. If any of the stuff in the bag falls off, add it to the leftover soil from the hole. Look at the roots and gingerly separate them so they open out to an upside-down umbrella shape. Then set the rose so the roots are splayed over the volcano and the rose trunk sits at the top of the volcano. If the rose sits too low, make the volcano taller and if it’s too tall, shorten it. You want the roots to be below grade and the trunk above grade.

Now push the balance of the leftover soil so it is evenly distributed around the roots. There should be enough soil to plant it completely, but if you need more than a mixture of topsoil and fine compost-mixed will do the job. Create a moat wall to surround the rose planting and give it a slow drink of water to fill the moat. Also, a dose of root stimulator is in order too.

Now the dedication part. You should cover the newly planted rose nightly — at sundown — with a garbage can to keep any surprise frosts from doing damage. You HAVE to remember to uncover the rose each morning so it has fresh air and sunlight. Water fairly often so the planting doesn’t ever dry out. That’s dedication.

Now, if you want to wait until the weather is a bit more pleasant to plant, I want you to find a place where the rose will still have good air circulation and again nightly protection from really cold temperatures. Set it in a stout bucket and remember to cover at night or place it in a garage nightly. Check to see if the plastic bag has any holes in it so the roots can breathe. If not, poke several holes up opposite sides of the bag for air.

Every few days, you will want to water the rose. Slowly pour water into the top of the bag so it trickles down into the bag. It should feel weighty, so you know the roots are being kept damp. Don’t let it sit in the bucket if there’s a puddle because that would be bad. When you choose to plant, follow the suggestions above about the volcano method and monitor the weather to see if nightly coverings stay a necessary part of your dedication. I’m confident that the covering-uncovering will go on for a while yet. But looking at the baby weeds popping up in one of my rock beds already, I know that spring is just around the corner.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.