That almost looks as if it's budded on Manetti. One drawback of this root stock is it develops 'carrot root' like what you're seeing. John Elsley (hope I spelled his name correctly!), former horticulturist for Wayside Gardens said at a Huntington Symposium a number of years ago the first English roses Wayside received from Austin were budded on Manetti. They grew and flowered beautifully, but every one of them fell over in the wind due to the heavy tap root with very little stabilizing root formation.

I first reaction to the photo was the same as Roseseek's: Looks like Manetti. I was surprised to then read that the rose is an own-root. Perhaps "Be My Baby" is simply a variety that's genetically predisposed to produce that Manetti-like root structure. I hope others who ordered this rose will report here on what their's looked like.

I can attest to the instability of Manetti rootstock in the garden. About 10 years ago I purchased a few florist HT plants that were available only on Manetti. I eventually had to stake every one of them. Apparently, Manetti remains the preferred rootstock for greenhouse culture, but it proved to be a pain in the neck in my sometimes very windy garden.

Yes, it's own root and I can't see any grafted area leading me to suspect otherwise. I've heard this rose will grow to be a largish bush considering it's only a miniflora, but that still doesn't explain the 1 root wonder I received. I haven't ordered a huge amount of bare roots in my life, so I can't say I've seen them all, but I've never seen any like this. I'm concerned if it will grow at all...Any further thoughts would be appreciated...Maryl

I would plant it,stake it, and enjoy it.

If you are not satisfied with it, contact Edmunds and see what they will do for you. If 'Be My Baby' plants are all like that, it is the cultivar's habit.

I also have a couple on Manetti that fall over. Nice to know it's not just my problem! :)

Well I potted it up yesterday. I pot up all my bare roots first anyway, so no big deal. I still may call Edmunds. You can see in the picture that it had quite a few canes which looked healthy enough and apparently were supported by that lone root. You know roses. For all their finickiness, they can sometimes surprise you with how resiliant they are. Maybe this one root wonder will take off...And I remember someone a long time ago talking about Wayside and Manetti stock, but nothing about its defect. I've purchased more then a few roses from them in the past and the last thing I would have needed is a rose rooted to something that had no wind resistance - this IS Oklahoma! Fortunately that didn't happen. Good side info Roseseek on the Manetti. Thanks all....Maryl

It's not any worse than some of the roses I've grown from cuttings - better I would say. It should be fine.

This rose did not make it. It sprouted a few small green leaves then the canes turned toes up. I called Edmunds and they couldn't have been nicer. Another rose will be shipped next week. Thumbs up on their customer service on this problem....Maryl

That's good to hear Maryl! I just got my bareroots from them this past week. Decent plants, altho not huge. All budding out and ready to grow. Yippee!!! Come on warm weather!

Hey Beth, if they had more then one root then you are way ahead of the game-lol...When DH put this thing out of it's misery (I grow 'em, I can't kill 'em) it had developed no more roots outside of the original lone straggler.....Maryl