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Discussion id : 25-580
most recent 19 APR 08 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 19 APR 08 by Carmen in Alabama
Just bought the Mirandy rose, and from all of the comments here, I'd say I chose a good one. I am a rose neophyte and that brings me to my question. I potted this one in a concrete container. I planned to move it into the garage to overwinter, but now I fear I should have put it in the ground. Is this variety happy in a container?
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Discussion id : 24-098
most recent 13 FEB 08 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 13 FEB 08 by vabyvlue
Break O' Day has a very low score in the Handbook for selecting roses. I was wondering if anyone grows it successfully?
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Discussion id : 20-990
most recent 23 AUG 07 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 22 AUG 07 by CarolynB
I grow several of my roses in pots, due to limited yard space, but I have a problem: I discovered, a few years ago, that I can no longer use commercial potting soil, because I get poison oak from it (to which I'm extremely allergic). I've read in another forum that it's possible to make your own potting soil by mixing equal parts compost, yard soil, and vermiculite or perlite. I tried this, but the mix turned out to be too heavy and water-retentive for my roses and other potted plants (possibly due to our soil here being heavy clay). I'm experimenting now with using 50% vermiculite in my soil mix. This seems to work better for the roses, but is still somewhat too water-retentive. I'm concerned that if I use too high a percentage of vermiculite, there may not be enough actual soil left to give the roses enough nutrients.


Does anyone have any observations, suggestions, or experience that might help with this? Thanks.
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Reply #1 of 6 posted 22 AUG 07 by RoseBlush
You may want to leave the vermiculite out of your formula if you are using clay soil in your planting mix. My understanding is that vermiculite acts very much like clay. The traditional homemade potting mix has always been reported as 1/3 soil, 1/3 humus and 1/3 sand. Adding the perlite will help lighten the soil so that the roots will move through the soil better.

Others on the site may have different formulas than the one I have reported above. I read about using that kind of mix years ago and don't have the book handy to do a double-check for you.

Sorry about the poison oak... I hate that stuff.

Smiles,
Lyn
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Reply #2 of 6 posted 22 AUG 07 by CarolynB
I'm confused: I thought that vermiculite and perlite had similar properties in potting soil. Also, I heard that sand should NOT be added to clay soil in the yard itself, so I'm surprised to hear that it can be added to soil in pots. I'm not sure what you mean by humus. Although I don't know for sure, I would suspect that commercial humus would also have poison oak in it, since both humus and potting soil have "forest products" in their ingredients list. Are you referring to homemade compost?
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Reply #3 of 6 posted 23 AUG 07 by RoseBlush

Your response inspired me to do a "Google" search on both vermiculite and perlite.  They are both natural substances that are used in soiless potting mediums.  Vermiculite does have clay-like properties, but I will let you do your own research if you want more information.


As for mixing sand and clay, you are correct.  Together without the additon of plant material like peat moss, in the wrong proportions, the result will be very similar to concrete.



I have clay soil and have mixed in compost and sand (along with a few other things) and, although it takes time for the compost to break down, this is how I improve the soil in my planting beds.



Smiles,

Lyn

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Reply #4 of 6 posted 23 AUG 07 by CarolynB
Lyn, Thanks for your response.  I'll look into the vermiculite vs perlite issue.
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Reply #5 of 6 posted 23 AUG 07 by CarolynB
Assuming I start using perlite instead of vermiculite, do you know what percentage I should use, mixed with clay yard soil and homemade compost?
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Reply #6 of 6 posted 23 AUG 07 by Wendy C
Adding sand to your mix may help as well. 
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Discussion id : 18-348
most recent 28 APR 07 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 28 APR 07 by Holly Mangudi
I have an own root tuscan sun (floribunda) in a container for about a year. It seems healthy. I am planning to move it to a bigger container. But it is difficult to take it off the container. I am afraid to damage the root. Any suggestion how to do it? When is the best time to move it?
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