by Dianne Lampe | Nov 29, 2016 | Autumn gardening, Expert Update, Flowers, Gardening News, Gardening Posts, inspiration for the garden, Roses, Summer gardening, Your Stories | 79 comments
Growing roses from seeds is not the fastest method for propagating roses but has several advantages. Roses from seeds take a little longer but then you end up developing a new set of varieties. Professional hybridisers select a new line of easy to grow and disease resistant rose to propagate. However, for you, each seedling will be a surprise when they finally bloom. It is like opening your birthday present when you were a kid. You never really knew what to expect! That is the same feeling seeing those little seedlings opens up for the first time.
There are several processes one must follow when growing roses from seeds. For professionals, the process starts in the garden where they monitor the flowering and pollination process as they choose favorite varieties. For our case, we will start with the seed collection process.
Seed collection
The rose hips must be allowed to develop on the plant for at least four months for them to fully ripen. They have to be collected in autumn, cutting them off using the right garden tool. You can use cuticle scissors or tweezers to cut them off before cleaning them.
Rosehips ready for collecting
The ripened rose hip is then placed on a clean cutting board and cut in half to remove the seeds. Place the seeds in a clean container. Add some diluted bleach to kill off any bacteria and fungus spores. You can make the bleach by mixing drinking water with two teaspoons of household bleach. Stir the seeds well before rinsing them and using bottled water to remove all the bleach. To further clean and disinfect the seeds, put them in the container and add some hydrogen peroxide. The seeds can be soaked for up to 24 hours before rinsing them with clean water to clear all the hydrogen peroxide.
Collecting rose seeds
Soaking the seeds is a crucial step if your seeds will germinate properly and stay clear of any diseases. You MUST not mix the bleach with the hydrogen peroxide as this results in a chemical reaction. 3% peroxide for 24 hours is just fine. This is also a good time to perform the water float test. Remove all seeds that float as they might not be viable.
Starting the rose seeds
Before growing the roses from seed, the seeds have to undergo a period of stratification. This is a cold moist storage that gets the seeds ready for germination.
Cold Treatment
Chilling your seeds in a refrigerator for about six to ten weeks encourages them to germinate faster once planted. However, you must take care to avoid keeping them cold for long as they can germinate while still in the refrigerator. Place your seeds on a paper towel before moistening them. Use half purified water and half peroxide to prevent the growth of mould. You can then place them in a plastic zippered bag, mark the date and variety before placing in a refrigerator set at 1 to 3 degrees C. The paper towel should remain moist for the entire period. You can check occasionally to see if it needs remoistening. Make sure you don’t freeze the towel.
There are other ways to stratify the seeds like planting them in a tray of potting mix and refrigerating the entire tray for weeks. The tray is usually enclosed in a plastic bag to keep it moist.
Planting your seeds
When you think your seeds are ready for planting (6-10 weeks), remove the bag from the refrigerator if that was your stratification method. You will need shallow trays or small pots to plant your seeds. Whatever works between the trays and pots is fine as long they have good drainage. The ideal size of the trays or pots should be 3-4 inches deep.
You can use separate trays when planting seeds from different varieties of rose hips. You must follow your labeling all the way down from harvesting, treatment, and planting. The rose bush name and planting date are some of the details to indicate on your trays or pots.
Next fill your trays or pots with the potting soil. You can opt to use 50% sterile potting soil and 50% vermiculite, or half peat and half perlite. When the potting mix is ready in the trays or pots, this is the time to take off your seeds from the towel. Remember the seeds must not be removed from the plastic bag until they are ready to be planted. You lightly dust them before planting.
Place your seeds about ¼ inch into the soil and dust the surface again to prevent the damp off disease that kills seeds. Water them properly and place them outside in direct sunlight. If there is frost, it is advised you place your seeds under a tree or in a sheltered part of the patio to protect them. There is no need for grow lights.
Keep the soil pots or trays watered but not soggy. Do not let them dry up as this might affect the germination of your seeds.
Watch for germination
After about six weeks, the first two seed leaves will start to emerge before the true leaves can emerge. The seedling must have three to four true leaves before they can be ready for transplanting.
Planting your seedlings
When the seedlings are grown a few inches tall with at least three true leaves, they are ready to be transplanted. You can transplant them into a four-inch pot of your liking. You don’t have to plant all your seedlings but only the healthy ones. You can choose to monitor them on the tray and only transplant them when they have outgrown it.
You must monitor the seedlings as they grow in their new pots for colour, form, bush size, branching, and disease resistance. Roses with weak, unhealthy or unattractive flowers can be discarded. It will take your new seedlings at least three years before they reach maturity and develop into a big bush. However, the first flower can be seen after one or two years.
Rose floribunda ‘Blue For You’ & Rose ‘Easy Elegance – Yellow Brick’ Shrub Rose
Garden tools you will need to grow your rose seeds:
• Cotton buds
• Tweezers and cuticle scissors
• Clear plastic film canisters
• Labels for the paper and plastic bag
• Wax pencil or black permanent marker pen
Growing roses from seeds appears a pretty long process but one that is rewarding when you follow all the steps as indicated. If you are a great DIY fan, then this is a nice project for you to enjoy as you brighten your outdoor space with blooming roses.
Dianne Lampe
http://www.igardenplanting.com/
To find out how to start your roses from bare root or container grown plants, head to our dedicated rose hub page.
Dianne Lampe
My name is Dianne and I am passionate about all things related to gardening. I blog about indoor and outdoor planting as well as offering useful information about the best gardening products.
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Ivyon August 16, 2021 at 10:56 pm
Hello Dianne. Very nice post with many useful tips! I have tried growing roses from seeds and I have to agree that it’s time-consuming. It takes a long time to grow them but the satisfaction after seeing their flowers is unbelievable.
Reply
Steveon June 20, 2021 at 5:06 pm
Hi, thanks for the article, just a head up but the seedling photo might be confusing to some people (at least it was for me) since the picture is of desert rose seedlings, had to go back to he internet to look for rose seedling to be sure that I wasn’t growing weeds
Reply
Sue Sandersonon June 21, 2021 at 9:36 am
Good spot! Thank you. Will get that sorted 🙂
Reply
Yvette Newboldon May 16, 2021 at 9:50 am
I have grown three healthy bushes from seed from the hips of a beautiful climbing rose in my entirely enclosed London patio garden. All three show no sign of either flowers or thorns. They are all about the same age 18 months. I was a big hap- hazard about the preparation process but that is obviously not the problem. Is it that they have not germinated with another rose?
Reply
Sue Sandersonon May 17, 2021 at 10:12 am
Hello. That’s very interesting. I’m not entirely sure tbh. Many Roses are grafted onto a rootstock of a different variety to improve their hardiness and vigour. It is possible that you might have taken seed from a sucker of the rootstock rather than the variety that you intended. It will certainly be interersting to see how they develop later on.
Reply
Mohammadon April 5, 2021 at 6:47 pm
Hello,
I live in Toronto, Canada. I left the hips on the plant over the winter do I still need to stratify the seeds?
Reply
Sue Sandersonon April 12, 2021 at 8:59 am
Hello
No they shouldn’t need stratifytoing if they have been out all winter – nature will have done that for you 🙂
All the best
SueReply
Natalieon January 21, 2021 at 1:48 pm
Hi Kathy,
For the planting of the seeds (after they have been in a refrigerator in a moist kitchen towel) what kind of soil must they be planted in? And can you keep the planted seeds indoors?
Many thanks,
Natalie
Reply
Sue Sandersonon January 25, 2021 at 9:48 am
Just plant them in any well drained garden soil. You can use a John Innes number 2 compost if you need to buy some. You can germintae them in a cool bright room indoors. Once they are growing well and the weather is a little warmer, then move them to a cold frame outside to continue growing.
Reply
Antonetteon July 10, 2023 at 7:26 pm
Hello. After putting the rose seeds in the refrigerator for the number of weeks suggested, is there any sign that will indicate that they are now ready to be taken out? And after planting them in the potting mix, how long will it take before they start germinating?
Reply
Annelise Brillion March 1, 2024 at 9:57 am
Hello Antonette. No you won’t see any visible signs after the chilling period. Once you have moved them to a warmer position it will take about 6 weeks for them to germinate.
Reply
Debbieon December 27, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Hi, I am new to all this, my mother in law bought me a rose bush in July and now (December) the rose hips are going from green to red. I would like to try and use the seeds to grow some new rose bushes for family, but not sure how to go about this. Reading other posts, I get the idea that I need to:
* Wait until the rose hips are red
*Carefully remove and cut them open to remove the seeds
*Place in damp kitchen roll, place in plastic bag and put in the fridge for 6-10 weeks (keep the kitchen roll damp)
*Remove and plant in little pots with special soil mix and watch them grow.
Is that correct?
Many thanksReply
Sue Sandersonon January 4, 2021 at 12:36 pm
Hello
Yes – that’s about it! Grow them on outdoors in a cold frame. Good luck – let us know how you get on 🙂
All the best
SueReply
Neilon October 21, 2020 at 8:47 pm
See AlsoRose Hips: Behold the Fruit of the Rose Plant - Brooklyn Botanic GardenHow to Collect and Save Rose Seeds | Gardener’s PathCan I Throw Down Wildflower Seeds? | Arbor Hills LandscapingRose Hips: Edible Treats After the Rose FadesHi i have just collected seeds from my garden should i put them in the fridge now or just in pot and leave outside for winter also would i put just one seed to a pot aslo could you please tell me what they should be dusted with thank you
Reply
Sue Sandersonon November 2, 2020 at 11:25 am
Hello
Your seeds only need to be in the fridge for 6-10 weeks. Then sow them individually into small pots and place them outdoors in a sheltered, lightly shaded spot. In winter I would keep them in a cold frame or cold greenhouse.
I would imagine that the writer of this blog meant that the seed should be dusted with yellow sulphur powder – it acts as an insecticide and fungicide. The blog suggests using 3% peroxide which can be bought as a pre-diluted mix so there should be no need to add water.
Hope that helps
SueReply
Brent Dawsonon September 20, 2020 at 8:02 pm
i have an old white rose (rosa blanda) (60+) and i have sifted the seeds out of the three hips i got from it. should i start stratifying them now and start them growing in the sun room with my other plants or am a best off waiting until i start tapping for maple syrup to start stratifying them. and if i may ask an unrelated question do you have any tips for keeping strawberries inside as i found one growing in my eves-trough.
Reply
Sue Sandersonon September 21, 2020 at 8:55 am
Hello
Your rose seeds can be stratified this autumn and sown immediately afterwards. They should start into growth by spring. We’re a UK based company, so I wouldn’t know about Maple syrup I’m afraid!
Strawberries are best grown outdoors, especially if you want them to fruit. Here’s a handy article…
https://www.thompson-morgan.com/how-to-grow-strawberries
All the best
SueReply
Brian leeon January 24, 2021 at 1:24 pm
Could I leave the rose hip or seed pod on the plant over winter? Would the natural winter cold months be better or work the same way as stratification in the fridge?
Reply
Sue Sandersonon January 25, 2021 at 10:04 am
Yes you could. This is how they grow from seed naturally.
Reply
Janeton August 9, 2020 at 7:57 pm
My granddaughter bought me a rose seed pack. I set them as instructed.
I now have about 10 small seedlings growing healthily. Not quite sure if I need to thin them out, they are about 2 inches tall. Sat on my kitchen window. Please could you give me some advice of onward growing and where to keep them in winter, I havnt got a greenhouse.Reply
Sue Sandersonon August 10, 2020 at 9:32 am
Hello. That’s fantastic! I would certainly pot them up individually into 9cm- 11cm diameter pots. You can pop them outdoors in a cool, lightly shaded, sheltered spot and let them grow on. When thew weather turns cold in autumn then I would suggest that you pop them into a coldframe if you have one, or bring them into an unheated porch or other sheltered spot until the following spring. After that, simply grow them on outdoors, repotting when necessary, until they are large enough to be planted in the ground.
All the best
SueReply
Mark purnellon June 30, 2020 at 9:36 pm
Hi all I bought some rose seeds of the net as I like the colours they have arrived from China (didn’t know when I ordered them they were coming from China) they are in a small bag sealed how and when do i sow the seeds thanks in advance.
Reply
Sue Sandersonon July 1, 2020 at 9:44 am
Hello
That sounds very exciting – be great to give them a go! Pop them in the fridge for a few weeks as discussed in this blog post. I would sow them in autumn into pots, and position them in a sheltered spot outdoors, or a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.
Best of luck with them
SueReply
Susan Gianellonion July 30, 2023 at 4:35 am
I have some rose seed. I live in a fairly warm climate, 8b, after refrigerating, do I have to wait to the fall?
Reply
Annelise Brillion March 1, 2024 at 10:05 am
Hello Susan. After the pre-chill period just sow your seeds (or remove the seed trays from the refrigerator if you have already sown them) and keep them between 60 and 70ºF (16–21ºC) in a sheltered position but do not expose them to very hot temperatures.
Reply
Judith Strachanon May 9, 2020 at 11:12 pm
I have started growing roses from seed and a few seedlings have come through but one of them was growing nicely it was the first one to grow but now it has shrivelled up but I don’t know what I could have done wrong as I don’t want it to happen to the others
Reply
Sue Sandersonon May 12, 2020 at 10:52 am
Hello
Its hard to say without seeing it, but I wonder whether you had a spot of damping off (root rot), caused by the Pythium – a fungal organism that attacks the roots. This is particularly prevalent when the compost is kept too wet.The symptoms look very similar to wilting so there is a tendency to water the plant even more. Try to keep your seedlings a little drier (compost should be damp but never wet). This will help to restrict the spread of the fungal organisms.
Hope you have more success with your other seedlings.
All the best
SueReply
Richardon June 29, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Hi Sue
My seeds are currently in the fridge. How will I know when they are ready and when they are ready (which I imagine will be September?) should I grow them inside for the winter and plant in Spring or would it be ok to plant them outside in October time after they have started to grow in pots? Many thanksReply
Sue Sandersonon June 30, 2020 at 4:27 pm
Hello
Your seeds only need to be in the fridge for 6-10 weeks. Then sow them in pots and place them outdoors in a sheltered, lightly shaded spot. In winter I would keep them in a cold frame or cold greenhouse.
Good luck! Let us know how you get on 🙂
All the best
SueReply
Edgar Tuckeyon December 3, 2020 at 2:38 pm
I have been given some rose seeds for my 80th birthday, that came from china. Do I have to stratify them before I plant them.
Reply
Sue Sandersonon December 16, 2020 at 9:27 am
Hello
If you don’t don’t whether they have already been stratified then it may be just as well to sow them now outdoors in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. This will naturally give them a cold period, and they should come through when the weather warms up next year.
Best of luck
SueReply
Lois M Clarkeon January 6, 2020 at 1:10 pm
Hi there I thought I would give rose growing from seed a try. I have rosehips on the plant (Rosa x odorata Mutabilis) that I want to grow from – how can I tell if the hips are ripe enough? They have been on the plant for 4months + are orangey in colour and feel very firm still. Should I pick them now (January in UK) or wait a bit longer to see if they soften?
Reply
Sue Sandersonon January 7, 2020 at 12:29 pm
Hi Lois. If they have changed colour completely then they can be harvested from this point onwards. If you prefer to wait a while then leave them until they are slightly soft and wrinkled, as germination may improve following a the cold period.
Hope that helps
SueReply
Tracy Teoh Su Lingon April 26, 2019 at 10:05 am
Hi I am still new to growing roses. I have 1 successful propagation by cuttings but regarding rose seeds I bought online I have no idea whether did the seller stratified those seeds or not. What is the physical difference between stratified seeds and those fresh from hips? Are they darker in color and look much dehydrated?
Reply
Sue Sandersonon May 1, 2019 at 9:22 am
Hi Tracy. Great to hear that you’ve had some success with your cuttings. I wouldn’t expect that the supplier would have stratified the seed before sending them out to you but can’t say for sure. Maybe one of our other readers might have some experience with rose seed and leave a comment for you.
All the best
SueReply
Peteon September 8, 2018 at 11:55 am
Hi I’ve two questions for you
1) I live in the UK & with Autumn being on us soon when should I start planting my rose seeds
2) when is the best time to plant Pappas grass seedsReply
Sue Sandersonon September 13, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Hi Pete
To get the best success, yor rose seed will need a period of stratification (a cold period of about 6-12 weeks). Its a good idea to time this so that it coincides with when they would naturally start to grow in spring – probably around early March, depending on weather conditions. I would look to sowing them in late November/ December and popping them outdoors or if we have a mild winter then stick them in the fridge!
Your Pampas seed are probably best left to mid spring. They wont do much over winter anyway, and you risk losing them if they sit for long in cold, wet compost.
Hope that helps
SueReply
Matthew O'Halloranon April 11, 2021 at 10:25 am
I have brought some Rose Seeds on the Net they arrived in foil sealed packets. It is April in the UK should I do the Fridge part over summer or wait til Autumn. Can I give Names to the Seeds when they become Rose plants.
Reply
Sue Sandersonon April 12, 2021 at 8:55 am
Hello
You can call your seeds whatever you like – but they won’t be officially recognised unless registered as a distinct variety. You could give them a cold treatment now and sow them this summer.:)
All the best
SueReply
Rita Ballardon August 17, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Hi Graham is it more difficult to grow a blue rose an is there any special soil or treatment needed thanks
Reply
Graham Wardon August 20, 2018 at 4:00 pm
Hi Rita,
It shouldn’t be any more difficult to grow a blue rose, treat exactly the sme as you would any other.
All the best
GrahamReply
Spencer Selanderon May 10, 2018 at 10:11 pm
Hi, Graham.
I received some seeds as birthday present, the seller included a bonus packet of rose seeds. There’s no indication if they’ve been stratified. If I stratify them now, it will be July when they’re ready to plant. In this region (I’m ~50 miles north of Portland, Oregon)it might be mild or very hot. I’ve read that rose seed won’t sprout if it’s too hot – how well do rose seeds keep? Will they still be viable next Spring, or should i take a chance on the weather and start them now?
Reply
Graham Wardon May 14, 2018 at 11:32 am
Hi Spencer, I very much doubt that they’d have been stratified so maybe leaving them would be the best option, if you can possibly keep them somewhere cool until spring that would be great, if not, there’s always the chance to try them now, but it’s a gamble!
I hope this helps
All the best
GrahamReply
Rusini Mohd Yusoffon March 13, 2018 at 9:00 am
Hi! I live in a hot humid country where temperature tends to go to 35deg celcius…I received some rose seeds and intend to try and grow them…do i need to do the cold stratification process or can i just plant the seeds right away? Thanks.
Reply
Graham Wardon March 13, 2018 at 10:29 am
Hi Ruisini, I would definitely go through the cold stratification process with the seeds.
Best of luck with them
Best Reagrds
GrahamReply
Susanon February 1, 2018 at 7:48 pm
I have stratified my rose seeds in the fridge I looked at them to day they have little shoots look ok not mouldy. What soil mix do you recommend my garden soil is sandy could I mix this with some compost.
Is it essential to dust with fungicide or can I just plant.
I have read people putting them outside should I or do I keep them indoors in a light place.Sorry so many questions.Reply
Graham Wardon February 5, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Hi Susan,
I would definitely mix in some compost with your garden soil as this will improve the structure of it. The dusting with fungicide is useful as it prevents the risk of infection, however, if you keep an eye on them and be ready to spring into action then it could be worth trying without . As for planting, I would personally keep them inside for a while, give them a chance to strengthen up before putting them outside in the elements!
I hope this helps
All the best
GrahamReply
Susanon February 12, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Dear Graham
Yes great help thank you
SusanReply
Jacqueline Walkeron October 19, 2019 at 4:24 am
Can you please explain what you mean by dusting, also when I get my rose seeds I ordered do I just put them in peroxide or mix with water? Thank you.
JACQUELINEReply
Sue Sandersonon October 30, 2019 at 10:33 am
Hi Jacquline
I would imagine that the writer of this blog meant that the seed should be dusted with yellow sulphur powder – it acts as an insecticide and fungicide. The blog suggests using 3% peroxide which can be bought as a pre-diluted mix so there should be no need to add water.
Hope that helps
SueReply
Margrét Hauksdóttiron December 13, 2017 at 5:24 pm
Hi,
My seeds germinated late last spring and each one is now in a 1 liter pot. They are in a cold greenhouse and are quite small. They did not set out any branches during the Icelandic summer so I was wondering if I should cut their tops off in the ea4ly spring to make them branch out? Or should I wait for a year to do that?
Thank you.Reply
Graham Wardon December 14, 2017 at 10:24 am
Hi Margret,
I would definitely wait until the plants get a bit taller before you cut anything from them, let them get to approximately 25 – 30 cm , then it can be prunes back in half to encourage new shoots to grow.
I hope this helps
GrahamReply
Fleuron November 29, 2017 at 4:37 am
Thanks heaps a great blog of information I am currently waiting for my seeds to arrive and now feel I can see them with confidence 🙂
Reply
A Kumaron November 14, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Can rose seeds be treated with fungicide and water paste before placing them into refrigerator for stratification? (Hydrogen peroxide is not used)
Reply
Graham Wardon November 15, 2017 at 10:13 am
Hi,
there will be no problem with doing this in advance, make sure the seeds are clean and dry before refridgeration though.
All the best
GrahamReply
Maryon November 4, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Hi,
I acquired some rose hips in bay field WI this past month. My question is how do I keep them until spring when the weather is nice enough to plant them.
Reply
Graham Wardon November 8, 2017 at 1:14 pm
I Mary,
I would keep them somewhere cool and dry and they should be fine – don’t worry if the flesh of the hip starts to deteriorate as it’s the seed inside that’s the important bit!
All the best
GrahamReply
Morag Wallaceon October 20, 2017 at 11:29 am
Hi Graham,
I have received a packet of rose seeds, when would be the best time to start the period of stratification?Reply
Graham Wardon October 24, 2017 at 9:50 am
Hi Morag,
I would work back about 10 weeks from when you’d like to sow them, if it’s not going to be until just after Christmas then now will be fine!
All the best
GrahamReply
Kathyon August 26, 2017 at 1:47 pm
My seeds are 12 inches at least now and look healthy. Shall I keep them in the greenhouse as the weather gets colder or leave them outside ? Look forward to your reply
Reply
Graham Wardon August 30, 2017 at 9:15 am
Hi Kathy,
I would be inclined to keep them in an unheated greenhouse over the winter, just to be on the safe side. It would be terrible to lose your plants because of a heavy frost or snowfall this winter!
All the best
GrahamReply
sally pughon August 21, 2017 at 9:49 pm
hi ive never grown roses before. which roses are best to start with
Mrs Pugh
Reply
Graham Wardon August 22, 2017 at 9:26 am
Hi Sally,
Any variety will be fine although I would say any of the shrub roses that produce large hips will be the hardiest of all!
I hope this helps
GrahamReply
Mickon August 11, 2017 at 9:35 am
“Remember the seeds must not be removed from the plastic bag until they are ready to be planted. You lightly dust them before planting.
Place your seeds about ¼ inch into the soil and dust the surface again to prevent the damp off disease that kills seeds. Water them properly and place them outside in direct sunlight” Dust with what? Thanks.Reply
Graham Wardon August 11, 2017 at 10:05 am
Hi Mick,
the “dust” being referred to will be a powdered fungicide. this may not be necessary but can be an extra precaution to prevent dampening off.
I hope this helps
All the best
GrahamReply
Saulon August 12, 2017 at 7:54 pm
Dust them with what?
Talc, pepper, cocaine?
Pardon me but bleach…hydrogen peroxide??
Is that the hair bleach ?
I’m not stupid just concerned.Reply
Graham Wardon August 14, 2017 at 11:07 am
Hi Saul,
as mentioned when I replied to Mick, the powder with be a fungicide as we’re trying to help prevent dampening off – although careful watering is always the best solution to this problem. The hydrogen peroxide mentioned in the blog will be the same as the hair bleach and is just an extra precaution taken by the author to sterilise her seeds. Using normal bleach in tiny quantities is usual practice in preventing harmful bacteria in seed processes, especially if they are prone to disease in the first place.
I hope this helps
GrahamReply
JoAnnon August 28, 2017 at 3:04 pm
Is there a particular type of fungicide you recommend to dust with? There are so many products lately it is very confusing.
Reply
Graham Wardon August 30, 2017 at 10:31 am
Hi JoAnn
I would say using a yellow sulphur powder would be best as the main purpose is to help prevent any dampening off. The powder may not actually be necessary and is just a precaution of course
I hope this helps
Graham
Kathy Coniffon July 8, 2017 at 11:58 am
My rose seedlings are 3to5 inches tall and looking very healthy . leave them in the garden on a table . Do I just leave them as they are ? Thank you
Reply
Graham Wardon July 13, 2017 at 9:11 am
Hi Kathy,
if they are looking healthy and growing well, I would leave them as they are for now, keep an eye on them so that they don’t become root bound and I would probably feed them every so often too as normal compost only usually holds sufficient nutrients for 6 weeks or so. re pot as necessary and possibly transplant them next spring.Reply
Kathy Coniffon July 29, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Looking at my rose seeds this morning there appears to be a white powder on some of them . which I can wipe off with my finger , any suggestions what to do ? Thankyou
Reply
Graham Wardon July 31, 2017 at 11:45 am
Hi Kathy,
is the white powder from water evaporating and leaving a residue behind? If not it may just be a slight mildew problem. Keep an eye on them and also, importantly, keep them well ventilated too, this will help keep mildew away, if that was the issue.
I hope that this helps
All the best
GrahamReply
Francesca Hudsonon November 8, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Hi Graham! I’m a newcomer to this blog, and growing anything green, and I am fascinated by all the advice, thank you!
In you comment on July 13, 2017 at 9:11 am you recommend ‘feeding’ the rose seedlings. With what does one feed a rose seedling? probably an obvious question, but I’m clueless!Reply
Graham Wardon November 9, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Hi Francesca!
Welcome to the blog, I hope you enjoy reading all the different articles from our great bloggers here!
Feeding at that stage would generally refer to a balanced feed ( a multipurpose type ) that will ensure that the young plant gets all the nutrients it needs as it puts on lots of early growth. The Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus balance should be even at this stage.
I hope that helps
All the best
GrahamReply
Zoeon April 25, 2021 at 9:36 am
Can you feed the seedlings with fish, blood and bone. Never done this before. I ha e my seeds in the fridge and they are due to come out next month. Can the seedlings be kept in the poly tunnel or will it be too warm in there for them over the summer. I live in Northern Ireland and my poly tunnel can reach 40 degrees during the summer
Sue Sandersonon April 26, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Hello – I would withhold any feed until the plants have grown beyond seedling stage – once they are ready to be potted on the you can mix some into the compost before you pot them up. You could certainly start them off in the polytunnel and then move them outside if the temperature is incresing too much. Bring the young plants back into the tunnel for their first winter to offer them some protection from the elements.
Sueon June 19, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Very interesting but it is not mentioned with what do you dust the rose
seeds with. Looking forward to a reply
Many thanksSue Ravenscroft
Reply
Kathy Coniffon July 8, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Haven’t dusted them with anything , should I ?
Reply
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