Buying bare root V potted

Now that we are on the wish list train I thought it might be useful to see what all you rose lovers think about whether it's better to buy bare root roses or those already potted up and ready to go. I buy both, but I must admit I like seeing the plant I'm taking home, especially if it has a flower or two. This way I know exactly what I'm getting, I can be sure it's the correct rose and I can ascertain its health and fragrance. More expensive? You betcha. On the other hand, ordering bare root roses gives that delicious anticipation as we count down the weeks for the glory day to arrive, and we can afford to buy more plants. However, when our eagerly awaited sticks don't make any growth and die a slow lingering death or when, weeks after planting into prime spots that we have prepared lovingly with hard yakka, we discover that it isn't the rose we ordered, you have to wonder - are the savings worth it? As some of you know, these scenarios were mine last year and probably yours at some time. So what do you think? Are you a committed bare rooter or a pot seeker or ambidextrous, having a bob each way?

I would not buy a plant if I could not see what sort of flower it is throwing out...hate to have a dud plant....

As I am in country NSW and around a 4 hour drive to a dedicated rose nursery I buy bare roots. At our field days here I have become friends with the owner of Misty as he sells here. This year lots of mine will be coming from Thomas's, a couple smaller niche nurseries after consultation with the owner of the nursery. Maybe some from Treloars. A trip to Finbarr at Swanes in April to sort out some roses for winter delivery. IMO some sort of personal contact helps. Repeat purchases from one nursery often gets a better rose. Pots only if I see something in our local that is outstanding, not very often.

Ambidextrous. The bareroots I buy are all carefully considered, researched, and subject to change without notice before I hit the "Buy Now" button.

My potted roses are impulse buys. I usually start off just going to pick up some blood and bone, oh you know, whatever, and SUDDENLY I SEE IT! Luscious and budding and identified as something I've read about but never got around to ordering online. A "Buy NOw" button flashes in my head, and the deed is done.

I much prefer bare root roses , even with the risks you talk about , i'm never quite convinced that a potted rose has been looked after and watered properly , if it hasn't and its roots have dried out and then you get it home , plant it and it succumbs to die back , thats a disappointment ...

Yes Maree, whatever course we take there are risks, so annoying when things go wrong. All the preparation of beds, the planning in selection and then wipeout!!

Well, for me living in WA, imo it is a must to have your roses on Fortuniana, having said this, I only buy potted roses. All bare rooted's that come into Perth are on the wrong root stock, so for me you have only one choice and that's potted. However, like bare rooted, sometimes you get the wrong rose as I have discovered this year.

So what you are saying Paul you can't buy fortuniana bare rooted roses in WA.

betsyw...you have just described my recent visit to the ubiquitous B's. I have just purchased some climbing roses that were tucked away among climbing jasmines etc. Sooo exciting!! Now, I can take Veichenbleu and R. laevigata off my list. Oh, and Bloomfield Courage was next to Veichenblue, so I just had to buy that too... although I think I may need extra courage to plant this as from various pictures, descriptions BC reaches gigantic proportions.

Have a look at this link rosebud.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks, roseman, that confirm's what I have previously read. I've planted Bloomfield Courage next to Altissimo on a very large arch. I'm hoping BC will reach the heights that Altissimo can't. Meanwhile I expect Altissimo to do it's bit by clothing the lower section of the arch with it's gorgeous large single blooms all year round. That's the plan anyhow.

I think I will have to buy Mons Tillier in flower and in a pot, due to the ridiculous confusion between Mons Tillier and Archduc Joseph. I have no idea what the deal is there! I don't care what it is called but I want the one that looks like a lettuce in a soup bowl.

Ha, weird description!

This one....
 
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

This one

Aaah it worked! I am an Internet God!!!

Thanks David.

Fabulous shot there Muscovy. Well done! Now you're on a roll can we expect lots of lovely pix?

Ausrose wrote:So what you are saying Paul you can't buy fortuniana bare rooted roses in WA.

Yes Ausrose, no one provides bare rooted on Fortuniana in WA

Paul, so Swiss does not sell bare root in winter on Fortuniana, I find that mad.

Ahh silky, sadly that is not my photo. Nothing in my garden looks as luscious as that right now!

roseman wrote:Paul, so Swiss does not sell bare root in winter on Fortuniana, I find that mad.

Hmm, I've bought roses in winter from the big 3 roses nurseries here, swiss being one of them, and only been offered potted.

Strange I think.

As it appears nurseries that sell roses using fortuniana as root stock sell roses in pots I wonder whether this relates to the root stock being used or is it the traditional Western Australia way of selling roses.

Doug I can see an email coming from me just out of curiosity to all the one's that Paul and John know of.

Here is Vivienne's reply,


Hello David

No we do not as a rule bare root our roses, as they are all grown in pots. They can be bare rooted for postage but it does set the rose back somewhat in the spring.





Kind Regards

Vivienne