About Basic Care

Hayes Maneuver, Revisited

In past issues of Rose Ramblings we have discussed the techniques and benefits of transferring good performing roses grown in pots into the ground. Since we have many new members who have joined since these articles were published, we will restate the principles and practices involved.

Cal Hayes is a long-time member of our society, residing in Orange County and unquestionably one of the very best rose growers anywhere. As is true with nearly all avid rose growers, his eyes are bigger than his stomach, or converted to garden terms, he would like to grow more varieties and plants than his land or body can accommodate. He moderates this affliction by growing lots of roses in containers. Roses grown in containers can be grown in small pots when new and spaced pot to pot. That enables us to grow many times more plants than can be grown in the ground.

Tiny plants such as started cuttings can be moved from one gallon pots, to two-gallon pots, to three gallon pots, to five-gallon and then seven gallons in the course of one year. Growth in cans for a year or so can be as good as in the ground. That gives us a chance to evaluate performance before committing precious garden space. Cal Hayes advocates using a potting soil which is highly organic and light. Dick Streeper advocates using a moderately heavy soil. In either case, the potting soil must drain very well.

Once we decide we have a rose worth planting in the ground, what should we do? Dig a hole in the garden somewhat larger than the pot to be inserted. Gather a pot of the same size as used for the potted plant to be inserted and set it in the hole to precisely the same depth as the soil in the potted rose to be inserted. Place one cup of superphosphate under the pot and one-half cup of sulphate of potash under the pot. Backfill around the pot and create a slurry in the soil while filling the pot. Let the pot sit in the hole for a day or more, then twist it and remove it leaving a hole precisely the size of the rose to be inserted. Knock the new rose out of the pot by turning it upside down and drop it into the hole. Create a well to hold water and water well every day for two weeks and the new plant will take off without missing a beat.

This article was originally published in Rose Ramblings, Vol. LXXIII No. 2, February, 2000. © 2000 San Diego Rose Society, Inc.

Keywords: Planting, Basic