- Drench the prepared bed with water. After a few days, it will be ready for planting. If it does not drain away the area is not suitable to plant a rose.
- For each plant, slit and remove the polythene plant bag. Check the condition of the roots, if they appear to be tight on the outside, loosen the root ball by breaking it open so that the roots make good contact with the fresh soil mixture.
- If the root ball appears fresh and loose, leave it undisturbed.
- Place the plant in the hole, making sure it is the correct height by adding or taking away soil from under it. If the bud union (a knob) is already below the surface of the soil in the container, cover the top of the container root ball with only a very thin layer of soil. If the bud union is visible above the soil level in the container, it needs to be settled deeper, 5 to 6 cm below the level of the bed.
- Once the plant is positioned correctly, fill in the enriched soil around it and firm down well with the feet to eliminate air pockets.
- Form a basin around the plant.
- Apply approximately 20 litres of water per plant.
- Firm the soil down again within a few days.
- Water every 3rd day for two three weeks. Daily watering by an automatic irrigation system is not a problem.
- Once the soil has settled after 2 to 3weeks, level the basin, mulch the bed and irrigate by sprinkler.
Bare Root Roses
When planting roses with bare roots, it is essential that no fertiliser, manure or fresh compost should touch the roots.
Therefore, prepare holes or beds three to six months prior to planting. Alternatively, place a thin, protective layer of pure unmixed soil around the bare roots.