I'm not ready to plant. Can I store my bare root rose?Updated 2 months ago
If you're not ready to plant your rose after unboxing, wrap and tie it back in the plastic bag it came in, close the box and leave it in a dark, cool location like a basement or garage for up to seven days at a temperature of 35-42 degrees. DO NOT leave it outside if the temperature is below freezing or on a warm sunny kitchen table.
DO NOT let your rose dry out at any stage. Keeping it wet and cool is key for viability. Check on it daily to make sure it remains moist, but that mold and fungus are not developing on the canes or roots. Apply a light mist of water as needed to keep the roots wet. The longer the rose is held, the more likely it will develop mold or decay on the canes and roots as well as use its stored energy to stay alive, thereby decreasing the overall plant health and viability. Learn more in our blog post, What To Do If You Can't Plant Your Bare Root Rose Right Away.
If weather conditions or life prevent you from planting your rose after more than a week, we recommend you "heel in" your rose. Learn how in our blog post, How to Heel in Bare Root Roses. Remember, this is only a temporary storage option and we highly advise planting your rose in its forever home as soon as conditions allow.