GENERAL POTTING SUGGESTIONS 
CONTAINERS: We suggest a pot with these 
minimum dimensions: 9” deep and top dia- 
meter of 714”. Be sure that the pot has ade- 
quate drainage holes. 
POTTING SOIL: It should be a_ loose, 
loamy mixture containing up to 50% peat moss. 
UNPACK: Unpack the roses at the potting 
area, and be sure to keep them moist. 
TRIM PLANTS: To ensure a well-balanced 
finished plant, trim the canes back to about 
9” from the bud union. This is important! 
POTTING: Place a layer of soil in pot. Place 
the bush in the center of the pot with the bud 
union just below the rim, and fill the pot with 
soil. Tamp it firmly around the roots to elimi- 
nate air pockets. 
WATER: Give plants a thorough soaking as 
soon as possible and repeat 3 to 5 days later. 
This is most important! 
PLASTIC COVER: Place plants in poly house, 
greenhouse, or glass frame. Cover all plants 
with a sheet of 2 mil poly. This is a MUST; 
otherwise, canes will dry out and plants will die. 
Starting Potted Roses in Polyethylene Houses 
Potted roses can be started extremely well and with a minimum 
of expense in polyethylene houses by following these basic tips: 
1. IF STARTING POTTED ROSES UNDER POLYETHYL- 
ENE WITHOUT HEAT... 
(a.) Be sure to cover house with clear polyethylene. Milky poly 
tends to cut down too much on heat from the sun’s rays, slow- 
ing up forcing. 
(b.) VERY IMPORTANT: Use a second covering of poly 
immediately over the pots setting on the ground. This will 
enable you to maintain an almost air-tight condition, thereby 
keeping the humidity around the canes of the plants at all 
times. Humidity is vitally important for assuring fast-breaking 
plants. 
2. IF YOU ARE STARTING POTTED ROSES IN A 
HEATED POLYETHYLENE HOUSE... 
(a.) We suggest you use a clear poly. This enables you to 
maintain a more constant temperature in the house by cutting 
down on the contrast between cloudy and sunny days... you 
control temperature through your inside heat. 
(b.) We suggest the use of a black poly on the ground under the 
plants in a heated house, too, as it gives better control between 
the ground temperature and the inside temperature of the 
house. 
26 Move up to the STAR line . . 
POTTING and 
GROWING 
of DORMANT ROSES 
Starting Potted Roses in Greenhouses 
TEMPERATURE: Place plants in greenhouse with a night 
temperature of about 50°. 
COVERING: Cover plants with clear polyethylene. Shading 
with some material such as newspaper may be necessary on sunny 
days. 
SYRINGING: Keep plants moist enough so that moisture is 
present on the underside of the film. 
REMOVE COVER: Remove the covering when new ‘“‘breaks”’ 
are about an inch long. This takes ten days to two weeks. Growth 
from then on is a matter of moisture, temperature, sunshine. 60° 
to 65° night temperature and 75° during the day is ideal. 
PLACE OUTSIDE: As soon as the danger of frost is past and 
plants show sufficient growth, they can be moved to outside dis- 
play selling areas. 
Starting Potted Roses in Cold Frames 
PLACING: After potting, place roses in cold frames and water 
thoroughly. 
COVERING: Cover plants with polyethylene. Keep moist at all 
times. Do not be concerned with overwatering at this time. 
REMOVE COVERING: When “breaks” are about an inch long, 
remove half the covering, preferably on a cloudy day to avoid sun 
damage to shoots. Remove remainder three days later. 
CAUTION: If clear polyethylene plastic is used to cover the 
frames, do not allow water to collect in depressions in the plastic. 
The sun’s rays passing through collected water are intensified and 
may damage the plants. Milky or shaded polyethylene is best. 
Care of Potted Roses 
% WATER: Maintain a regular watering schedule. Keep plants 
moist, not soggy. Watering in the morning is best. 
yx FERTILIZE: Apply a water-soluble fertilizer (20-20-20) 
weekly or a granular fertilizer with a balanced analysis 
(7-7-7) at the rate of one tablespoonful per plant every 3 weeks. 
% MULCH: One inch or more of a fibrous mulch (licorice root, 
chopped sugar cane, etc.) is most helpful in retaining moisture 
and minimizing weed problems. 
% SPRAY PROGRAM: As the first leaves appear, start a weekly 
program of preventive maintenance. Use commercial rose spray 
or a combination of Phaltan, Diazinon and Tedion for general 
control. For mildew, use Actidione. Use manufacturers’ recom- 
mendations and be sure to spray both the underside and the 
upper surface of foliage. If you can’t spray, use a reliable dust. 
+e PRUNE: Remove weak and dead wood and remove wilted 
blooms to help retain a full, healthy plant. 
. . you can't do better 
