November is the ideal time to plant bare-root roses

One reader, identified as Lune, inquired about the height of the roses, noting they are currently 25 cm tall and asking if further trimming is necessary. She also asked about the “pralin” technique, a preparation method used before planting.

“Planting a rose is easy,” Bertrand Souchon assured. The process begins by selecting a well-dug, slightly calcareous patch of earth. A hole 40 cm deep should be dug, with 10 cm of cow manure placed at the bottom to nourish the plant after two years, once the roots have sufficiently grown.

Regarding the “pralin,” Bertrand described it as a simple mixture. “In a bucket of water, you’ll add some garden soil and cow manure until you reach the desired consistency.” During planting, the roots should be shortened by 5 cm and soaked in this “pralin” to ensure the rose takes hold.

Three months after planting, in March, the rose branches should be pruned to 3 or 5 buds. No fertilizer is needed during the first year, but consistent watering every 10 days is recommended. “The rose will repay you!” Bertrand concluded.