Purchasing, Planting, & Growing........"Cheap Roses"

If you have looked around your local store that has a garden center, 

you have probably noticed that most of them have packaged roses ( in January) and

are selling them fairly "cheap".

As I was happily going through them and picking out the ones I  wanted,

a lady passing by me ,remarked that " cheap roses are a waste of money"

NOT TRUE !

I paid her no mind and continued to gather up an arm full.

In the photo above.......are roses......from my garden last year.

These were "cheap roses" from the same store that I purchased and brought home 3 years ago.

However, do know.........whether you pay a few buck for a rose or way up in the price range.......

roses can die if not planted in the right spot........or right climate and things can happen .........and they 

can die.( I will get  to that.....at the end of this post)

Here, the climate is harsh in winter and in summer.  A nursery friend of mine told me to 

first plant the roses into large containers.........which I did.  Larger ones than these in

the photo above would actually be better.......but this is what I had on hand.

I used purchased garden soil instead of potting mix..........because I like garden soil better.

I  labeled each with a tie tag.  

I then placed the potted roses in my greenhouse to wait the winter through.

Although our days have been sunny..........we are still due frigid temperatures 

and freezing nights.  The roses will not survive outside in low temps. 

Hopefully they will grow strong enough to be planted out in the grounds at a later date

you might remember that I posted about this miniature rose in this tiny planter a few

posts back.  The container this rose was in was only about 2 inches.  It has started putting on 

new growth and looking tired, 

so I transplanted it into a 4 inch terra cotta pot.  It is happy.

Hopefully I can keep it healthy and growing. 

Now ........back to the part about "roses dying"  This is my "rose garden" from 

cheap roses.  They have flourished for 3 years. I have never pruned them.........just 

pretty much let them grow as they pleased and gave them a little water and plant food from

time to time.  I read where they should be pruned ...........which I did............

AT THE WRONG TIME FOR OUR CLIMATE..................SIGH

They all died.   

You can imagine how heartsick I  was about it all.  Which is the reason I was

purchasing more cheap roses.  I was able to find the same  kind as I had planted here........

some are different.  Now I just hope I can get them to all grow again.

So just a few tips:

1. No matter the price........if it looks healthy and  you like  the way it looks.......

purchase it! Don't be afraid to experiment!

2. Even if roses are on sale in January............it is still winter.  Purchase your roses and place them out of the weather until the danger of freeze is gone.  

3. You do not have to have a greenhouse to keep your roses safe.  Any place that is sealed off from the weather and has light will do great.

4. Plant your roses in good soil, water and feed carefully.

5. Know your climate before you prune or fertilize.  

If you have doubts about when to plant.........when to purchase.........when to prune......

always call your local nursery...........they will gladly give you sound advice.

Here's wishing you many beautiful blossoms to come!