It’s bare root rose time

“The most significant things that the United States has given to the world are skyscrapers, jazz and the rose cocktail.”

-- with apologies to Federico GarcÃa Lorca

“Not to create stress, but there are only nine shopping days remaining until Christmas.”

-- anonymous

Bareroot roses make their debut this month and are available through February. Roses require a period of winter dormancy and during this time are sold sans roots or “bare root.” Because these plants require less care and space, your favorite nursery will offer their largest rose selection of the year. In addition, you will save money on bare root roses, and they are easier to plant.

Purchase bare root plants from a reputable nursery. Cheap roses from mass merchandisers are rarely a bargain, and require as much if not more care than good ones. Plants are rated according to standards established by the American Association of Nurserymen, with each grade designated by a number -- 1, 1 1/2 and 2. No. 1 grade are the best -- generally the only grade you will find at a nursery. No. 1 1/2 are inferior in quality and No. 2 are strictly a gamble. Take the Plant Man’s advice and stick with No. 1.

Before you buy, you’ll need to consider more than just flower color. Your nursery worker can introduce you to new roses, older favorites (which cost less because their patents have expired), fragrant roses, roses which will tolerate some shade, roses that will grow with your perennials and, most importantly, roses that will grow well in Laguna.

Although nurseries provide bare root plants “close” to being properly pruned for planting, it is advisable to cut the canes back to about 6 to 8 inches above the bud union. Remove any new or small, twiggy growth before planting. This helps the rose develop its root system. All heavily damaged or broken roots should be removed. Soak the roots in a solution of vitamin B1 for a few hours. It is important that your rose is well hydrated prior to planting.

Dig a hole sufficiently large to accommodate the roots without crowding, about 12 to 18 inches wide and deep. Work into the soil one part organic material -- planter’s mix, leaf mold or redwood compost, to one part soil you removed from the hole. A pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is best for roses, so I recommend that you also add Catharine’s rose cocktail (recipe follows) to the soil mixture. Build a mound of prepared soil in the hole to support roots and hold the plant at the proper height. The cone should be just high enough so the bud union is at ground level.

Catharine’s Rose cocktail:

1 cup of gypsum

1 tablespoon soil sulfur

1 tablespoon chelated iron

1 tablespoon Epsom salts

Hold the rose steady and fill the hole half full of soil mixture. Tamp down lightly, then fill the hole with water. This will settle the soil around the roots of the plant and remove any air pockets. After the water has drained away, fill the hole completely with soil mixture, leaving just a slight saucer-shaped depression to form a basin to hold water. Add water again to ensure the soil is completely saturated.

Water your rose daily until growth appears, then use a normal watering schedule. Your rose will leaf out faster if you mist the canes often with water. Roses require water both above and below the soil to fully develop in their new home.

* Steve Kawaratani is happily married to local writer, Catharine Cooper, and has two cats. He can be reached at (949) 497-2438 or plantman2@mac.com.

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