I usually pot up bare roots that I can’t plant immediately in the ground in small 6 litre pots (roughly 1.5 gallon) trimming the roots to fit if needed. That way a few months of growing on is enough for the roots to fill the pot and for them to be safely handled and planted out around the end of May before the heat hits.

If I use bigger pots, I will grow them on for a up to a year first and plant out in the coming dormant season or early the next Spring. It really depends on how big your pots are and how fast they will develop roots in your climate.

If you find you have time to plant them out in the next week or two, you would probably be safe enough to de-pot and plant out right away, because they will still effectively be bare roots and won’t really notice.

Note - all my roses are grafted, I don’t know of that makes a difference but it’s possible a vigorous root stock will fill out the pots with roots a lot faster.

Thanks! I really hope to get them planted in the ground this spring, like in the next several weeks. So maybe could just let them grow in the pots - which are plenty big for roots to grow. Just knew I couldnt leave them soaking in water for any length of time. They have such good root systems that a 1-2 gallon pot wouldnt work without cutting roots way back so had to go with bigger pots. But when I remove from pots, even if I let the soil dry a bit, soil is still going to fall away from the roots which is why I was concerned.

I think you will be ok, yes much of the soil will fall off but a few weeks or so in a pot is really not much different to heeling them in in soil in the garden temporarily. If you damage a fine root or two, they will soon recover.

I recall someone on another forum left their bare roots in water for two weeks because she was busy and simply forgot about them. Not recommended as a deliberate strategy, but she got away with it because the roses were fine!

There have been a few times I couldn't get my bare root roses in the ground right away. Instead of straight soil, I mixed soil and mini pine bark nuggets, 50/50. Just keep the pots watered.

This happened to me last year - just couldnt get some planted, kept thinking "tomorrow I'll do it" and it didnt happen. When I finally did get them out of water and planted, they didnt do well and most died so didnt want to get into same situation. Figured if I was delayed again......at least they could be growing in pots. The soil mix I have is bark fines, sand and mushroom compost. Its a good mix that my roses do well in. Appreciate the information!

Judith

Many nurseries order bare-roots, pot them up in 5 gallon containers, and then 3-4 months later sell them to customers as 5 gallon plants. So...

Alameda, if you take the plunge and decide to plant them out, let us know how it goes!

I will! I had considered the bareroots that nurseries get in - pot up and offer for sale. Dont know how well rooted they are but I have bought potted roses like this in the past and they have done fine. Just not sure if, only potted for a few weeks, they will be ok if I take them out of pots and plant in the ground. I am going to try it - I feel its better doing it this way than letting them sit in water until I get around to planting them. I will report back when I plant them. I appreciate the input from you all!

Judith