Roses Offer

I ordered and received the Alan Titchmarsh roses offer last December and planted them as instructed - they were bare roots, soI planted them at an angle in a mix of soil and a little (not a lot, to avoid root burn) compost. Thery over-wintered in the green house (not heated). I came to plant them and they are looking VERY sad, brown and rather not alive, whereas others, now in pots are doing famously.

Any advice?

Bit confused here-that is usually the advice you are given if you can't plant immediately-it is called heeling in-but you seem to have left them in a greenhouse in that state for 3 months??

Why did you not plant them straight away-the ones in the pots are they outside?

They may still be ok-but contact the supplier just in case -they will probably replace.

Sorry I should have been clearer . I kept them as described above for approx 3 weeks before planting them in post and leaving in the greenhouse while it snowed. They do not look very well now, and unlike the otehrs i mentioned, have no shoots etc. .

I THINK that the shrubs came from Thompson Morgan and were a GW offer in the magazine.

Can anyone remember exactly?

I planted them in POTS not posts (I should learn to type )

hmm, I always plant bare roots immediately, usually give them a soak in a bucket of water for a few hrs first. If you put them in pots straight awa get in touch with thompson & morgan. It wouldn't be the first time they sent bare roots that are dead! (victoria plum twice, tree peoni, peach infested with spider mite) and those are just what has been my experience, I shan't list all the things battered in the post or arrive very very late. I use them with caution now. It's all very well them replacing things, but if you've missed a whole season, it gets rather annoying.

many thanks for your help and advice - I'll do as you suggest

Well said Ben ................. i agree, some of the internet sites send out some right rubbish and i expect some people do very little about it ?

If they snap when you bend them they are a gonner. If they bend they are probably saveable!!