porkpal said:Thanks, Lyn. I have noticed when a rose fails here, for no obvious reason like being dug up by a dog, it always has a puny root system. This is especially true of the body bag roses I have received (and sometimes still receive) as gifts. Would the poor waifs have done better in pots? I have good soil and a mild winter climate, but the summers are consistently hot and humid. I hate killing my plants for lack of early care. Once established my roses are expected to fend for themselves, and most of them do since they are predominantly old garden roses.
Yes, especially for body bag roses, giving them the time to grow a good root system sets them up to be more solid plants. The roots of body bag roses have been butchered to fit the packaging. Even in a kind climate, letting a body bag rose develop a solid root mass before planting it in good soil, sets it up to recover and then fend for itself.
Now, I understand your question of "Why" about growing the roses in a container. Growing the rose in a container until it has had time to grow a solid root mass give you more control. You manage the moisture and nutrients it needs to recover from the trauma of having its root butchered and when you put it in the ground, it is already a solid plant.
I feel the same way about bands. I know people disagree with me on this, but I think this practice ups my odds of having a viable plant I don't have to baby once I plant it out.
Smiles,
Lyn
