You should not grow own-root roses if you live in an area with root-knot nematodes. They're abundant in Florida, but not in all parts of the state. Ask local gardeners or nurseries about this.
If you do have these nematodes, they'll kill own-root roses in the first year or two. Roses grafted onto Dr. Huey and R. multiflora will last only two or three years. Only roses grafted onto R. fortuniana will grow and thrive in spite of the presence of nematodes.
