12-04-2004, 02:34 PM
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How long can I hold bare root plants?
From: ojunk (Jefffooz)
Date: Sun, Apr 11, 2004 9:49 PM
Message-id:
I ordered the following plants in bare root form. I don't think I will be
able
to get them in the ground for a couple of weeks because the ground and weather
is still quite cold and very windy. How long can I keep the plants before
planting them? Will they die if I just leave them in their packages?
Monarda, buddleja, clematis, peony and echinacea.
Thanks
Jeffery
You haven't said where you are, but if the ground can be worked, you can plant
the species you mentioned. If you need to keep them indoors for a few days (no
more than a week), open the box slightly to allow some air in but not enough to
dry the plants out (there should be some moist medium around the roots), and
keep the box in a dark, very cool place. The idea is to keep the plants
relatively dormant until they can get the resources they'll need to grow. If
you've ordered from a reputable grower, they'll have provided written
instructions for this somewhere in (or taped to) the packaging.
If you can't get to planting them in their summer locations in a few days, you
should do something called 'heeling in.' Unwrap the plants and plunge them
into a bucket of tepid water for an hour or so. Meanwhile, dig a shallow (but
well-draining) trench in a very sheltered shady spot in the garden, lay the
plants down with their roots in the trench and crown/stem area diagonal to the
soil. (You can put the plants together in a much smaller space than they'll
need for their permanent locations.) Water the trench and completely cover the
roots with loose soil (don't pack it down). Make sure the plants stay moist.
This will hold them for a while, but don't leave them longer than absolutely
necessary. Again, there should be instructions with plants when they arrive.
Best,
Tyra
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