Old Garden Roses - Own Root Bands or Grafted??
My quest to perfume the air with roses led me to Old Garden Roses. I was smitten by the charm, utter beauty, and found the history related to many of these roses fascinating. With fondness, I refer to many of these roses as Madame, or Mademoiselles, because it was beginning to appear that many of my favorites had French names with these salutations attached.
The local nurseries are a hub for modern roses grafted onto Dr. Huey rootstock, with a David Austin rose; still a modern, but with a lot of old fashioned charm, thrown in here and there. I wondered, where have these roses been all of my gardening life? I quickly discovered that many, if not most are NOT sold in the United States as grafted plants by the suppliers who stock them. Most are sold as own-root plants, and many are only readily available as bands. I purchased a tiny band of a rose over a decade ago, and being accustomed to seemingly more rapid growth and size of grafted plants, lacked the patience to continue growing that rose. Fast forward 14 years. Not having much choice, as the new rose varieties I desired were only available as bands, I began to conduct research and determine how to grow roses from this stage; in earnest.
Own Root Vs. Grafted
Due to soil alkalinity, Dr. Huey root stock is commonly used to graft roses in the United States; although roses on other root stock is available . Grafted roses are definitely further along in maturity than own root bands, or even one gallon own root roses, so the instant gratification in terms of size happens quicker. A disadvantage is suckers that grow from underneath the bud union producing Dr. Huey roses, not the rose purchased. Deep watering could be beneficial, as the roots do not tend to congregate near the planting surface.
Own root roses are often available as bands or one gallon plants, but up to five gallon roses are sometimes available. The plant from the roots up is the rose you purchased, but it can sucker, sometimes many feet away from the bush.
Many roses are only available either own-root or grafted, and others just perform better one way or the other. Unless the rose already has a history or reputation for better performance grafted or own- root, the choice between the two for many gardeners will likely be based upon trial and error.
There is a saying sleep, creep, and leap regarding the first, second, and third year growth for own-root roses purchased as bands. Below are examples of own-root rose growth. All of the bands (quarts) were potted up into 1 to 5 gallon pots and most were planted during Fall 2013 with one exception remaining in the pot. I find that early Fall is the best time to plant roses. It allows for the establishment of good roots prior to the mild winter and the summer heat that will arrive months later.
La Reine Hybrid Perpetual received as a band and immediately potted in a one gallon pot. (July 2013).
Bishop's Castle band, immediately potted in a one gallon pot (July 2013).
Excellenz von Schubert ( July 2013). Sometimes they are really tiny.
Grandmother's Hat A.K.A. Barbara Worl band. It will be placed in a one gallon pot (July 2013).
Bourbon rose Souvenir de la Malmaison band, planted in a one gallon pot (July 2013).
Paul Neyron Hybrid Perpetual, received as a band (July 2013).
