Q. How do I select a healthy rose from a nursery?
A. Selection of healthy roses from a nursery is easy. Look for healthy canes that are about the size of your thumb in width, with at least 3 nice canes and a bud union that is free from any cankers, suckers or injury from pruning. The leaves should be “turgid”, meaning full of moisture, and not wilted in any way. There should be no insects like aphids, and there should be no evidence of disease like black spot or powdery mildew. Select grade #1 plants; they cost a little more, but they are much healthier plants and will grow better than smaller, lesser grade ones. Buy plants that are in pots, not the plastic sleeve kind of packaging; the roots have a better chance of growing in pots. The plastic sleeves restrict the roots and can dry out, leading to a weak plant that will not get a good start once planted. Plant nurseries run by families tend to offer better grade roses than the “big box” outlets. In my opinion, staff at the stores that only offer plants during the early spring do not follow watering schedules well and many plants suffer from lack of care before they are sold. Pay a little more for well cared for plants for the best results.
-Pat Horbelt
A. Selection of healthy roses from a nursery is easy. Look for healthy canes that are about the size of your thumb in width, with at least 3 nice canes and a bud union that is free from any cankers, suckers or injury from pruning. The leaves should be “turgid”, meaning full of moisture, and not wilted in any way. There should be no insects like aphids, and there should be no evidence of disease like black spot or powdery mildew. Select grade #1 plants; they cost a little more, but they are much healthier plants and will grow better than smaller, lesser grade ones. Buy plants that are in pots, not the plastic sleeve kind of packaging; the roots have a better chance of growing in pots. The plastic sleeves restrict the roots and can dry out, leading to a weak plant that will not get a good start once planted. Plant nurseries run by families tend to offer better grade roses than the “big box” outlets. In my opinion, staff at the stores that only offer plants during the early spring do not follow watering schedules well and many plants suffer from lack of care before they are sold. Pay a little more for well cared for plants for the best results.
-Pat Horbelt