On Mon, 17 May 2004 18:38:46 -0500, in rec.gardens.roses you wrote:

Did you mound up compost over the canes? It's recommended by many
experts. It will help protect new growth from drying winds and hot
sun. Keep the compost mounded up for about a month or until new growth
starts peeking through the mulch. Then *carefully* pull the mulch back
trying to avoid damaging the new growth. At that time, you can make a
"doughnut" of mulch around the rose that will help keep moisture in as
well.


Thanks for the tip. The planting instructions didn't advise it but I did it
(especially since I'll be gone for a few days).

Thanks for the help
Zemmy!

Oooops, I wrote compost a couple of times when I meant mulch. Did you
catch that and actually use mulch (I hope)?? I'm afraid that compost
will be too heavy and not allow air to flow. If you have the chance,
pull the compost back and substitute for mulch as soon as you can.