5 Mistakes Homeowners Usually Make When Planting Bare-Root Roses and Fruit Trees
1.
DON'T Plant in the Wrong Place - This can mean in the wrong Hardiness Zone or in the wrong place in your yard.
Fruit trees and roses both need plenty of sunshine or they will be weak and spindly and may not live very long.
Check the spot for planting at different times during the day to make sure it is a sunny spot for a minimum of 6-8 hours.
2.
DO Rehydrate the Plant by Soaking in Warm Water for 12-18 hours - Since the plant was probably field grown, dug up and packaged for shipping it is in a little shock.
Dehydration naturally occurs and soaking it thoroughly in warm (not hot) water will help restore it somewhat and give it a reserve until it can grow enough roots to manage on its own 3.
DON'T Dig the Hole Too Deep or Too Narrow - Wide and shallow is best.
The tree or shrub should be sitting in the hole so that the graft union is where it should be.
For roses it varies depending on the climate but on fruit trees it should be about 2" above the soil.
The hole needs to be wide enough to let the roots spread out and not be crowded.
4.
DO Add Water in the Hole and Be Sure to Tamp Down the Soil - A newly planted tree or shrub needs moisture to survive since most of it's small feeder roots were lost in the process of digging it up.
Even though the plant has been soaked it will need for moisture to be in the soil around it for some time.
So not only add water in the hole as you plant but also water it slowly and thoroughly during the weeks to come.
Also, as you are adding the soil back into the hole, be sure to tamp it down well to force out any air bubbles and to insure good contact between the roots and the soil.
5.
DO NOT Put Fertilizer in the Hole When Planting - The plant will need fertilizer but not for a few weeks after planting.
If you put fertilizer in the hole the roots will confine themselves to that small area and won't branch out and lay down a good root system.
Your tree or shrub will probably come with planting instructions but not all mention these pitfalls.
To insure the success of your new rose bush or fruit tree just pay attention to these few tips.
DON'T Plant in the Wrong Place - This can mean in the wrong Hardiness Zone or in the wrong place in your yard.
Fruit trees and roses both need plenty of sunshine or they will be weak and spindly and may not live very long.
Check the spot for planting at different times during the day to make sure it is a sunny spot for a minimum of 6-8 hours.
2.
DO Rehydrate the Plant by Soaking in Warm Water for 12-18 hours - Since the plant was probably field grown, dug up and packaged for shipping it is in a little shock.
Dehydration naturally occurs and soaking it thoroughly in warm (not hot) water will help restore it somewhat and give it a reserve until it can grow enough roots to manage on its own 3.
DON'T Dig the Hole Too Deep or Too Narrow - Wide and shallow is best.
The tree or shrub should be sitting in the hole so that the graft union is where it should be.
For roses it varies depending on the climate but on fruit trees it should be about 2" above the soil.
The hole needs to be wide enough to let the roots spread out and not be crowded.
4.
DO Add Water in the Hole and Be Sure to Tamp Down the Soil - A newly planted tree or shrub needs moisture to survive since most of it's small feeder roots were lost in the process of digging it up.
Even though the plant has been soaked it will need for moisture to be in the soil around it for some time.
So not only add water in the hole as you plant but also water it slowly and thoroughly during the weeks to come.
Also, as you are adding the soil back into the hole, be sure to tamp it down well to force out any air bubbles and to insure good contact between the roots and the soil.
5.
DO NOT Put Fertilizer in the Hole When Planting - The plant will need fertilizer but not for a few weeks after planting.
If you put fertilizer in the hole the roots will confine themselves to that small area and won't branch out and lay down a good root system.
Your tree or shrub will probably come with planting instructions but not all mention these pitfalls.
To insure the success of your new rose bush or fruit tree just pay attention to these few tips.