Good afternoon, my reader. Buying rose seedlings at random is a rather risky business. Before buying, be sure to inspect them from all sides and remember our list, in which we point out the questionable qualities of the shoots.
I recommend reading: Secrets of Successfully Growing Climbing Rose
Few branches
A strong healthy rose seedling of any variety should have at least 2-3 lignified branches of a bright green color.
If you notice only one shoot on a seedling, but it is quite strong, dark green in color, with fresh buds, perhaps such a seedling will be able to take root and sprout.
Nevertheless, if you managed to notice this problem even before purchasing, you should not take this seedling.
Dried shoots
A healthy shoot has a rich dark green color. If you notice a brown color on the branches, lightly scratch the surface with your fingernail. The green color is completely absent, it is not even visible under the bark, which means that the shoot is really dry.
Wrinkled bark
The bark pitted with wrinkles on the branches of the seedling, as if all the useful juices were completely taken from them, indicate a significant dehydration of the crop. You can, of course, try to revive the plant by placing it in a bucket of liquid, but hardly anyone will give a guarantee of success. In general, why buy such a seedling?
Cleansing bark in the graft area
We noticed peeling of the bark directly in the part of the grafting - this is another sign of an unhealthy seedling, do not try to buy it. Bark defects always indicate a rose problem, so don't listen to anyone that this is just a minor cosmetic flaw.
Damaged branches
It should not be missed that the branch of the seedling is completely broken or severely damaged. Still, you need to notice all the defects: minor and obvious.
Also keep in mind that usually all the branches of the plant are pulled with the help of an elastic band, which leaves various dents on the shoots and even deforms them.
Lack of fresh buds on the shoots
The most important reason for a poor-quality seedling is the lack of buds on the branches. Nothing good will grow from such a bush.
Take a special look at the culture before purchasing it. The seedling must have a sufficient number of fresh, strong buds.
The presence of mold on the shoots and root system
Unfortunately, healthy, strong seedlings can also become moldy if they were not stored correctly. In such a situation, fungicides will help out, with which you can process the seedling.
And it will be better if you just do not buy it and leave it with the seller.
Root rot
Root rot in roses is very difficult to cope with. It can be said that it is impossible to get rid of it, because the pathogen fungus has been in the ground for many years.
If, nevertheless, you have purchased a seedling with rotten roots, do not despair, try to treat it with "Fitosporin".
Poorly developed roots
It is likely that it will be difficult to check the quality of the root system at the time of purchase, even if your seedling turns out to be with open roots. As a rule, to protect it from drying out, the root system is placed in a layer of moistened peat and wrapped on top with a darkened film. Here we can only hope for the good faith of the sellers.
And yet, as soon as you get home, be sure to unfold the lower part of the plant and inspect. If the plant has a small number of lateral and adventitious roots, and, moreover, the main root is either damaged or very weak, then the rose is unlikely to take root.
Dry root system
The condition of the roots depends on how well the root system is hydrated.
Dry roots can be restored by soaking them in a bucket of liquid, but this is not always possible, the plant may not take root after planting. After all, a lack of moisture is considered a great stress for a rose.
Hatching buds and the appearance of white shoots
A strong plant is unlikely to grow from such a seedling.
If leaves and shoots have already appeared on the seedling, it means that the “tops” have drawn out the nutrients, and now, after planting in the ground, the plant should grow its root system.
Spots on the branches
If you notice any formations or suspicious spots on the bark of the shoots, this is also a bad sign, indicating a disease or damage by parasites.
Poor quality wax
Before buying, check the quality of the wax covering the shoots from drying out.
Try lightly picking up the wax; you will check the color of the bark and whether it can be easily peeled off.
If the wax does not separate, then, apparently, it will not fall off even after planting in the ground. The substance melts at a low temperature (62-64 ° C), and under the bright rays of the sun, this layer literally boils on the plant.
Do you know how to make the right choice of quality rose seedlings?
Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.
Read also: Fungal infection of the rose and methods of prevention