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Post by bagpuss on Oct 30, 2006 13:21:29 GMT
I happened to see an article in one of last year's GW magazines whilst I was in a waiting room (I think it was for October or November of last year) about being able to grow any rose (including ramblers) in containers, by trimming the roots of the plant, and then potting it up in a suitable container.
However, I had to leave the magazine there for others to read, and cannot remember how much of the roots to cut back and what the recommended mix of soils etc was for planting them in containers.
Can anyone help?
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Post by Rosefriend on Oct 30, 2006 19:56:26 GMT
Hi Bagpuss
Well I do not know what the piece was that you read but Yes, it is possible to grow just about any Rose in a container - basically the bigger the better. I wouldn’t even consider anything under 40cm diameter. There must be enough room for the roots to develop fully and have very good drainage – I would also try and find a pot that is a bit wider at the bottom so that it doesn’t fall over so easily.
What kind of container is basically immaterial although if using plastic then I would suggest you watch water intake. A lot of people do mulch after planting which I am afraid that I never do with Roses – in my experience no matter how good the Mulch there is too much danger of fungus and then rust problems. You could plant very small periennials or Sphagnum Moss for example.
I would plant the Rose in a commercially good potting soil using a slow- releasing fertilizer, or a good Rose compost. I am afraid that someone else will have to help you on that. It will also need regular feeding, as all container grown plants, as the nutrients will be used up quicker. Use a fertilier that is high on Nitrogen and lower on Phosphate and Potassium – again I am sure that there are good Rose fertilizers in the UK.
I would assume that you could keep a Rose in a large container for about three years before the roots have to be cut back- I wouldn’t cut back to more than two-thirds to a half and cut on a slant which encourages new growth.
As far as growing a rambler in a container – in theory of course, a long as the container is big enough and you can fasten the Rose to something. I would imagine it would be a little difficult to handle though.
Try though - it might be fun.
Rosefriend
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Post by oldmoleskins on Oct 30, 2006 20:09:40 GMT
Well, in this instance I'd suggest John Innes No.3. It's a 'soil and grit' compost available everywhere and never bettered for long-term potting of shrubby plants. Substantial, well draining stuff. It will have fertilizer in it to last the best part of a season, and Osmacote or any other slow-release fertilizer lightly worked into to surface will take care of seasons to come. And if you're worried about the peat-free compost 'debate' - Innes No.3 has some peat, but not much - so don't feel too guilty...
I find a lot of the alternatives just don't 'wet' well and stuff doesn't do as well either - but I'm an unreformed traditionalist. At one time I bought compost by the 10 ton load, and it was always loam/peat based, with a lot of coarse grit. I'm probably to blame for Somerset flooding, or whatever it does...
I'd be interested to hear what a more informed (and probably younger) gardener has to say about composts...
OM.
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