Rose graft visible

Gers

I have a beautiful Girlguiding UK Centenary rose which I planted at least five years ago in a large pot outside my front door - there's a matching one on the other side. It blooms and blooms so wonderfully, especially when I dead-head it. Now I notice that the graft part of the stem is more visible than before, does it need more soil added to the pot?

Funnily enough the other rose is much more stunted in growth despite being only the door width apart from the magnificent one, it's always been a mystery.

twopenny

Can you post a photo?

I always understood that you should have the graft above the soil as it was planted but there seems to be new thought now to put them deeper. Who knows.

It's possible that the flourishing one has lots of roots pushing it up. A little investigation and root pruning in autumn?

And yes. I have 2 Rosemary bushes only 2ft apart. One flourishes but the other I've had to take 2 poorly ones out. Number 3 there now. Investigations showed nothing.

Gers

Thanks, I'll take a photo tomorrow, I'm away today and anyway the rain is tipping it down outside. 

Gers

I got back early and the sun came out! First pic is the graft site, second one the full plant which is very healthy and full of just-about-to bloom buds and third one is of the runt twin.

twopenny

Awww to the twin. It really is the poor relation but healthy enough and shoul come good
The stabilising roots are visible only because the soil has been washed away by watering.
Top dressing (more compost) half way up the original stem but not so it's over the bit where the new stems come out. Simple as that. It will sink slightly over summer.
The poorly one 3 doesn't have enough compost to thrive. John Innes No 3 to within 2" od the top of the pot a crock or two in the bottom and watered in.
And get rid of the top layer of moss. I'd also water it every fortnight with some phostrogen in the water, 1scoop. It will feed it through the leaves as well.
No wonder it's sad. It's roots have nowhere to go.

Gers

Thanks for the advice, I'll top them up. 

Incidentally - I haven't watered these roses, we've had months of incessant rain over winter and early spring. In fact, I've been away from my home for over three years (looking after my now late DM in Glasgow) so haven't watered them at all since March 2019. 

The large one is glorious in full bloom, the twin not so much. This is it in July 2021 when I arrived back home, a lovely 'greeting'
I'll add in the feeding and hope for the best. 

🙏

twopenny

Lovely.
I'd love to have that at the door. And they're obviously self sufficient too. Always a bonus.
Do you remember the variety?

Gers

twopenny said:

Lovely.
I'd love to have that at the door. And they're obviously self sufficient too. Always a bonus.
Do you remember the variety?

They are both 'Girlguiding UK Centenary' rose (Harnova) (F). Dead heading brings endless blooms, it really is lovely.  I've now cleared the moss, added compost and watered with phostrogen so look forward to some improvement in the runt. 

Thanks for your advice, it's greatly appreciated. 

twopenny

I'll keep my eye out for it.
I like that it's an open flower too, good for the bees.
Hard to get anything thats not a new David Austin these days.

[Deleted User]

There are nurseries around the country that can supply non David Austin roses and are very good value for money.

As previously mentioned though, repotting into larger pots would buck them up no end, you're turning them into Bonsai trees by keeping them in those small pots, do some searches into gigantic pots and your roses will spurt into even more action.

Gers

[Deleted User] said:

As previously mentioned though, repotting into larger pots would buck them up no end, you're turning them into Bonsai trees by keeping them in those small pots, do some searches into gigantic pots and your roses will spurt into even more action.

I'm not sure that I could manage to move them!  And I think that they'd then grow too large for the space. I like them at the front door, the big one is so glorious when in bloom so not keen to repot, though will certainly consider it at a later date.   They both get battered with the gales and torrential rain, I'm right by the sea, and so take a lot of punishment so I'm just happy that they have kept going without any attention for three years. 

Thanks for your advice, I'll bear it in mind.  I appreciate your comments.