do i need manure for my rose i'm potting out?
By Purpleflower
United Kingdom 
i have just got my new climbing pink rose home, only to find it mentions giving it manure. I have a decent size pot for it and bought John Innes number 3 and some really good quality top soil. Do you think i need manure. The poor is waiting to be potted but i'm not sure what to do or where to get manure from. Any suggestions?
On plant
purpleflower
20 Jun, 2009
Answers
I agree with Mookins - MUCH better in the ground! They do get big, with large rootballs.
As to the manure, if you got fresh stuff, it would have to rot down for 6 months before you could use it. You can buy bags of dry manure at Garden Centres, but in a pot, chicken manure pellets would be a better substitute.
I still wouldn't plant a climber in a pot, though!
20 Jun, 2009
I agree with previous two responses - roses need to put down deep roots, especially climbers, and that means it'll do poorly in a pot. And the reference to manure is the clue - it assumes you're planting in the ground;-)
20 Jun, 2009
sounds to me like have already got sufficient items. Although manure is very good im sure it will be fine without, remember to give it plenty of water and often once its planted.
Although I have recently been told climbing roses are better off in the ground rather than a pot!!
x x x
20 Jun, 2009