First band!

10 years ago

So my first band, the one that shipped a month early, arrived today. I carefully removed it from the packaging, then soaked the whole thing in a bucket of water for half an hour. I then placed it in our laundry room, which is a non-heated addition to the house (it stays well above freezing but cooler than the rest of the house and gets bright, non-direct sunlight). I plan to pot it up to a gallon tomorrow (I have to buy some potting soil).

This is the first band that I have ever purchased, and I thought it looked pretty good. But I don't know what it is supposed to look like, so ... what do you guys think? It's the polyantha Marshmallow Fluff.

Featured Answer

AquaEyes 7a NJ

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

That's pretty much how a band looks. I do question your soaking of it for a half hour. If this is your first time getting something other than bare-root roses, I understand why you thought to do this. However, it's not something I do with bands, and I don't think I'm the only one who doesn't do this. Bands are simply small actively-growing plants, and should be treated as such. The practice of soaking bare-root roses is helpful because those plants, while dormant, have had their roots exposed to the air and are thus likely "thirsty" upon arrival. What I do with my bands is pot them up and THEN soak them, but only because their new potting mix is dry, and being peat-based, requires a soaking to get wet the first time.

:-)

~Christopher

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Comments (12)

quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you, Christopher. I am glad to know that my first band looks good. I wasn't sure what to expect. The soak was recommended in a post somewhere on here mainly to remove any "critters" that might have hitchhiked along. Of course, I can't find the post now.
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jacqueline9CA
10 years ago
Looks fine to me, and the place where you will keep it until it gets warmer outside sounds fine also.

Jackie
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a) thanked jacqueline9CA
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
10 years ago
I soak them when they first arrive also because they often dry out a bit during transit. Simple watering of dried out potting mix doesn't work. It has to be soaked.
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a) thanked mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
Jasminerose, California, USDA 9b/Sunset 18
10 years ago
Looks great. Love the name.
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a) thanked Jasminerose, California, USDA 9b/Sunset 18
hartwoodroses
10 years ago
Welcome to the world of roses in bands! Yours looks good. Conditions in my basement 'grow room' are much like your laundry room. While your rose spending the rest of the winter indoors, be sure to keep an eye out for signs of pests like spidermites or aphids. They love roses indoors! For a single plant like this, you can rinse the critters off under the faucet or with your sink sprayer.

Now I'm off to look up your rose on HMF.
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a) thanked hartwoodroses
seil zone 6b MI
10 years ago
It looks good sized and healthy to me! Where did you order it from? I don't think the soaking will harm it at all. They can dry out quickly in those small pots during transit. A nice gallon size pot and some good potting soil will have it growing in no time!
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a) thanked seil zone 6b MI
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a)
Original Author
10 years ago
It came from Burlington. The guy was so nice! I would definitely buy from them again. Looking back at my notes, I failed to communicate a ship date, which is why they shipped immediately - totally MY fault.
summersrhythm_z6a
10 years ago
A nice looking band! I can't wait for my order from Burling in the spring. Burling is a very nice lady, not a guy though. :-)
AquaEyes 7a NJ
10 years ago
I was very happy with what I got from Burling last year, and have more coming this year. Because she sends via flat-rate shipping, the cost is no more than if we were on the same side of the country. She and Linda at Long Ago Roses are now my first go-to sources -- only when they don't have something I want do I begin looking elsewhere.

:-)

~Christopher
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a) thanked AquaEyes 7a NJ
Anne Zone 7a Northern CA
10 years ago
That is a nice looking well-branched band! So exciting getting roses in the mail!
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a) thanked Anne Zone 7a Northern CA
quiltkitty (Mid TN - zone 7a)
Original Author
10 years ago
My band was looking a little sad on Friday, so I potted it up and it perked right up. Looks even better now!