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Container rose help please

7 replies

Mrhwbin · 24/03/2021 07:36

Last year I bought my first rose. I only have a balcony so I went for what the garden centre called a patio rose. I've lost the info card so cannot remember the exact name. It flowered a couple of times and then following some online advice somewhere I pruned it right back in late autumn

Its not showing any signs of new growth yet. Did I prune too much at the wrong time?

Thanks

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Didiusfalco · 24/03/2021 07:49

It’s unlikely you pruned it too much, roses are basically brambles so tough pruning isn’t a problem. Could it possibly have completely dried out over the winter?
Not all roses are equally healthy though and I’ve never had much luck with patio roses either. I do have a rose growing in a pot though - it’s desdemona by David Austin, I’ve also grown Roald Dahl successfully in a pot (then planted out). The key in spring and summer is lots of water and to feed them. I pruned them each by about half in the first year and they were fine through the dormant season.

Mrhwbin · 24/03/2021 12:11

Thanks @Didiusfalco (love the username big falco fan here) I don't think it dried out completely but I certainly didn't do any additional watering over winter.

I'll topdress and feed it and see how we go.

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Winederlust · 24/03/2021 12:16

Roses should be pruned late winter (Feb/early march) when new growth starts to appear so it's possible you pruned too early and too hard.

Beebumble2 · 24/03/2021 12:19

You don’t say the size of the container, but as it’s on a balcony, I’m guessing it’s quite small. The roots could have suffered from frost in the exposed position. However, I’d also give it some time to come into bud. A balcony several floors up will have a colder micro climate than a garden patio, so the rose might be just warming up to sprout.

Mrhwbin · 24/03/2021 17:07

Thanks @Winederlust @Beebumble2 I'll give it some time to warm up and see what happens. It is a small pot but deep. I was planning on sizing up pots every couple of years or so. I've such a small space and so much I want to pack in I can't afford pots that are too big

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Beebumble2 · 24/03/2021 17:15

It might be worth packing bubble wrap between your pots next winter to protect the roots.

Mrhwbin · 18/04/2021 16:08

As an update the poor patio rose still isn't showing any signs of life but I've replaced it with a David Austin, The Poet's Wife, which has put on new growth since I potted it up so fingers crossed.

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