Which would be the better choice?

Labradors2 · May 12, 2018

I had two Rose seedlings that grew faster than all the others and wouldn't fit under the lights in the basement. I grew them on my windowsill where it is warm, and eventually potted them into 1L waxed OJ containers. It became apparent that they were going to be massive (too big) at planting out time in 3 weeks.

I chopped them off just above the first true leaves, thinking that I would root the tops (in water) and keep them. As a safeguard, I also kept the bottoms in their big containers.

The cuttings took ten days before rooting and I got a little nervous that they took so long, but now they have good roots and I have just potted them up. However, the bottoms have sent out several new shoots at the base of the plants, although they are not very big.

The bottoms have a massive root system and the tops have great looking leaves.

It might be obvious which ones to choose by plant-out time in 10-17 days, but I'm curious to hear which ones other people would choose.

Linda

Koala Doug · May 13, 2018

I'd go with those that have the strongest and most developed root system... provided, of course, that it isn't root-bound by the time you plant out.

HudsonValley · May 13, 2018

Assuming both had good roots, I'd plant one of each and keep track of how they compare because it sounds like an interesting experiment.

ginger2778 · May 13, 2018

The roots wins.

Labradors2 · May 14, 2018

Many thanks for the opinions. Sounds as if the roots have it! I hope the greenery will grow FAST

.

All the seedlings are outside in the shade today getting used to the great outdoors

.

Linda

Tormato · May 16, 2018

Rose has that "problem", consistantly the most massive, by volume (height and width), variety that I've ever trialed. Don't ever plant it too deep, or you may wind up with another one of the "problems", a 5 tomato truss, weighing 7 1/2 lbs, hanging about 1" from the ground.

taboule · May 18, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormato

Rose has that "problem", consistantly the most massive, by volume (height and width), variety that I've ever trialed. Don't ever plant it too deep, or you may wind up with another one of the "problems", a 5 tomato truss, weighing 7 1/2 lbs, hanging about 1" from the ground.

And then you're gonna need a bigger boat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VquLerRp-ps

Labradors2 · May 18, 2018

I never knew that the Rose plants were so massive. No problem growing them though as I love them so much.

Too funny about the bigger boat

.

Linda

May 12, 2018	#1
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,896	Which would be the better choice? I had two Rose seedlings that grew faster than all the others and wouldn't fit under the lights in the basement. I grew them on my windowsill where it is warm, and eventually potted them into 1L waxed OJ containers. It became apparent that they were going to be massive (too big) at planting out time in 3 weeks. I chopped them off just above the first true leaves, thinking that I would root the tops (in water) and keep them. As a safeguard, I also kept the bottoms in their big containers. The cuttings took ten days before rooting and I got a little nervous that they took so long, but now they have good roots and I have just potted them up. However, the bottoms have sent out several new shoots at the base of the plants, although they are not very big. The bottoms have a massive root system and the tops have great looking leaves. It might be obvious which ones to choose by plant-out time in 10-17 days, but I'm curious to hear which ones other people would choose. Linda

May 13, 2018	#2
Koala Doug Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Detroit Posts: 688	I'd go with those that have the strongest and most developed root system... provided, of course, that it isn't root-bound by the time you plant out.

May 13, 2018	#3
HudsonValley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Hudson Valley, NY, Zone 6a Posts: 626	Assuming both had good roots, I'd plant one of each and keep track of how they compare because it sounds like an interesting experiment.

May 13, 2018	#4
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	The roots wins.

May 14, 2018	#5
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,896	Many thanks for the opinions. Sounds as if the roots have it! I hope the greenery will grow FAST . All the seedlings are outside in the shade today getting used to the great outdoors . Linda

May 16, 2018	#6
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	Rose has that "problem", consistantly the most massive, by volume (height and width), variety that I've ever trialed. Don't ever plant it too deep, or you may wind up with another one of the "problems", a 5 tomato truss, weighing 7 1/2 lbs, hanging about 1" from the ground.

May 18, 2018	#8
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,896	I never knew that the Rose plants were so massive. No problem growing them though as I love them so much. Too funny about the bigger boat . Linda