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| Texas, it seems, is beginning to emerge from winter. If this year repeats weather patterns like previous years (it's been an oddba year) then we should expect another surprise freeze some time in March. After that we should be in the clear to begin growing. With that being said, I realized that I have no idea what to so once growing season hits. I have a lot of potted bands that still need to grow before being introduced to the cemetery, but many others that could be put in the ground once they leaf out and get cleaned up. So do I need to do anything specific to get them prepped to grow? I'm wondering, do I need to feed them a high nutrient boost of fertilizer to get them on their feet? Wait until they're planted? Etc. I'd love to hear what you all do to get the roses ready to stop cars in a few months. Thanks! Josh |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by jacqueline3 9CA (My Page) on Sat, Feb 15, 14 at 18:04
| The most important thing is PATIENCE. Too much fussing and too much food has killed way more roses than benign neglect. If the roses you are planting in the cemetery are OGRs, they will not be stopping cars in a few months (it will be a few years, but it will be amazing how fast that goes) and if that is your expectation you will be disappointed. Re cemeteries, the most important thing I think would be to make sure they will be safe from human interference once you plant them. I recall that you have done great work getting permission, etc., but you cannot be too cautious about the effects of even well meaning but ignorant humans. So, I would cess out spaces for them that get plenty of sun, and are approved by whoever takes care of the cemetery. Those spaces should be far away from where anyone might be mowing or spraying weed killer, or pruning anything. You already understand that. I would NOT fertilize them at first - let them settle in and grow some more roots first. The main thing they will need for several months is adequate water, sun, and to be left alone. Jackie |
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| I agree totally with Jackie. Do not kill them with kindness. If they're healthy all they really need is good soil, water and sun. They'll do the rest. I've always heard and read not to fertilize newly planted roses until after the first bloom or at least until after they've put on some good new growth. They shouldn't need food until then. I also worry about the chances of mishap for a small band plant in a public cemetery. I know they've given you permission but have they talked to their landscapers to let them know what you're doing? If not you need to do so before you plant any thing. Most landscapers are just young crews who know nothing about the things they're caring for other than the power tools they use to whack them with. And if it were me I'd be putting some type of caging around those new plants, just as a precaution, until they can get some size on them. People, crews and critters will be out there so they'll need protection. You've worked way to hard to make this happen to have something snafu the whole thing now. |
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| Jackie, I definitely will have to wait for the roses to stop traffic. Some of the Teas and Chinas are 3 year old plants but considering they've been in pots they haven't had a chance to spread their roots. I figure it'll be a good 3-5 years for all of them to come into their own and give an impressive spring flush. I am the king of (usually benign) neglect. When I started purchasing roses for the cemetery I was looking for great cultivars that could take the neglect of a cemetery setting. I'm glad to say that after being left out in the ice, not watered, not mulched, and untouched for months, it would appear the roses I got are champs. Lol. Thank you for bringing the human factor to my attention. It was a variable I had not considered until you mentioned it. I'm not sure how to go about keeping the roses out of the reach of people until they get large enough to withstand the abuse... Josh |
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| Seil, The small fries will be staying with me through the blistering summer so they can get some oomph underneath them. I've been reading up on how the Chambersville Tree Farm cared for and planted their garden, and it seems August is the best time to plant first year plants. Only the oldest and most vigorous roses will be making their way to the cemetery in March. I figure I can continue to add roses as they come into their own. The caging is a great idea! Maybe I can pilfer some tomato cages from my grandparents now that they don't grow vegetables anymore... Josh |
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- Posted by melissa_thefarm NItaly (My Page) on Sun, Feb 16, 14 at 0:18
| I've had plants mowed down or trampled before, and so heartily agree about the cages. You sound like you understand about patience. Actually, patience, and digging, are the only things I do understand about growing roses. Dig a good hole, plant your rose, and then go and do something else. It's amazing what the years as they pass will do. And keep them mulched. It sounds like a great project. Melissa |
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| Regarding damage from maintenance crews: It helps to group the plants with copious amounts of mulch between them and between them and grass. It is far easier to mow around a large group of plants than it is around many small individual ones and the mulch will allow the mowers to run their wheels over the mulch thus avoiding string trimming. Many a tree, never mind a rose bush, has met its maker at the hands of a trimmer. I remember weeding a public garden and looking up just in time to see the long 6' side arm of a mower take out a small tree we had planted. My primary reaction was utter amazement. Many of those driving these mowers are inexperienced college kids on summer break. Good luck and remember even if you lose a few, that cemetary will have many more roses (for rosarians to rustle far in the future) than it ever would have had without your work. Cath |
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| Have you dug and pepared your planting holes yet? A good hole heavily ammended with compost/rotted manure and left to do its soil food web thing for some time is better than a dig, ammend, plant all in a day hole. |
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- Posted by jacqueline3 9CA (My Page) on Sun, Feb 16, 14 at 15:47
| This is not funny, but a horrible true worst case example of how careless/clueless maintenance crews can be: in SF a park maintenance person driving a huge truck on the grass off the paths in a large park RAN OVER AND KILLED a woman who was lying on the grass (way off any paths, etc) with her baby. Luckily, the baby was not harmed. The park had all sorts of rules about what had to happen if equipment was taken off the paths - they were supposed to have a human walking with the equipment to make sure there were no people in the way. Needless to say, this was not followed. The driver is being prosecuted, I believe, for manslaughter, but that is too late. No one thinks he did it on purpose, and they said he was not drunk or anything - just "reckless disregard". So, please do put your roses in cages, perhaps with red ribbons flying from them... Jackie |
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