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Post by Sharon Sharealike on May 4, 2008 19:15:47 GMT
I have been given one called "In Memory" and I have bought one called "Peace" for Dad and I as it was Mums favorite Rose. I want to give them the best start - how shall I prepare the soil? Dads will be in a pot as he has a small paved garden but it is quite a big pot. Mine will be in a sunny spot that loses the glare of the day around 4pm in summer. Thanks  |
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Post by Fi on May 7, 2008 1:11:40 GMT
You don't say if they are bare roots or not, but assuming they are in pots, dig a hole about three times the diameter of the pot, dig in loads of manure and, if you have any handy, a couple of handfuls of blood and bone - and then plant them about an inch deeper than the level they are in the pot. If they look leggy, prune them gently. Water regularly during this summer and then prune hard the following March. Don't, if you can possibly avoid it, plant them in an area that has had roses growing in it recently. If you can't avoid it, double the diameter of the hole and remove all of the earth taken out to another site and only use fresh earth and mix with the compost when filling the hole. After that, feed them generously every early spring and prune back any time in autumn to late winter. If you want tall plants, prune them quite lightly, but if you want compact plants, then prune them hard. If you're in a windy area, it's better to prune in autumn to avoid wind rock, which weakens the roots. Keep an eye out for suckers and cut them out at the base as soon as you spot any. If you can get hold of it, they love fresh horse manure - I remember,, from when I was a kid my dad setting off armed with a shovel and bucket whenever he heard horses hooves clip-clopping on the road outside our house.
And then sit back and enjoy!
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Post by smiffy on May 7, 2008 6:37:41 GMT
I had one called In Memory when I was in England. That was a deep velvety red with a lovely scent. I do hope yours bring good memories as mine did.
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Post by Sharon Sharealike on May 7, 2008 14:11:24 GMT
Thanks, Fi!
There is a freindly stable round the corner so I will ask for some plop!
Smiff, that looks about right from the picture - I will wait with anticipation!
Thanks
S
x
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Post by oldbean on May 12, 2008 15:52:32 GMT
Sharon, I have a book all about the Meilland family and how they came to grow the Peace rose... it is an old paper back but more than happy to send it onto you. It is called For Love of a rose by Antonia Ridge
I first read it about 35+ years ago and managed to get a second hand copy a couple of years ago... now all I have to do is get the rose to go with it!
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