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Post by sootycat on Apr 1, 2012 12:07:55 GMT
;Dhello playmates...
a David Austin 'The Pilgrim rose' is winging its way to me..i just ordered it on line..
i have no where to plant it,as decking and slabs here..and the barest bit of land thats already compaqued..with stuff..SO it has to be a TUB
How can i give this rose the best possible chance,?i see its a climber? but can i keep it trimmed down to a bush? so many questions.
Its in memory of my dad,as he loved that hymn..'He who would valiant be...to be a pilgrim.'..we had it played at his funeral before his other favorite band music..Cornel Bogey ;D Dad played the big band drum and also blew a trumpet!! ;D
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Post by Fractal on Apr 1, 2012 13:05:45 GMT
Hi Sooty.
Yes, you can keep it as a bush by pruning harder. Still a taller type though but certainly doable. Use a standard multi-purpose with a 50% mix of good quality top soil. The container wants to be a reasonable size too, ideally 14ins or more diameter.
Excellent variety too!
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Post by sootycat on Apr 1, 2012 18:30:34 GMT
thank you SteveN when would i prune it?
do i put bone meal in the tub when i plant it from the container its arriving in? >"<
I have sent a 'William shakespeare 'from David Austins collection to my dads brother ,he will also put his in a tub..>"<
so we want good advice eh!! >"< che ;Ders SteveN
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Post by Fractal on Apr 1, 2012 19:45:27 GMT
Pruning can be light in autumn to reduce wind rock and then prune harder (two thirds to half of all last years growth. Occasional harder pruning on selected stems in spring when they become too tall after a few years. This will encourage new growth from lower down.
I'd be tempted to use a bit of that "friendly fungus" for the roots, either Rootgrow or David Austin's Start (they are the same thing).
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Post by sootycat on Apr 2, 2012 7:22:55 GMT
thanks for that advice Steve N ;D
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Post by Fractal on Apr 2, 2012 13:46:05 GMT
You're welcome  |
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Post by Fractal on Apr 2, 2012 13:51:36 GMT
After one year you can still scatter a slow release rose fertiliser around the top of the soil to encourage strong shoots and flowers.
Bonemeal is ok with the initial planting releasing phosphates (for the root growth) and later breaking down further and releasing Nitrogen though to be honest, it may impede the growth of the friendly fungus so just stick with that. As a living organism, this fungus will also stay with the plant all of its life working hard for it so you don't need to keep adding it.
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Post by sootycat on Apr 6, 2012 11:40:09 GMT
SteveN can you add the 'friendly fungus' after planting too? As i never added any   I've been putting a black bucket over The Pilgrim at night this week,in case of frost...i'm i being over cautious? This rose arrived in tip top condition forn David Austin..well impressed with David!! ;D |
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Post by Cherry on Apr 6, 2012 14:00:53 GMT
The micorrhizal fungi must be in contact with the roots for it to work properly. You can dig a small hole in the root zone and pop in couple of teaspoonsful of the fungus so that it is touching the roots.
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Post by sootycat on Apr 6, 2012 14:49:43 GMT
;D thank you Cherry ;D i will use my dibber and make a few bores around the root area,, |
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