Two rose cuttings planted as one? Strange?! (flower, growing, palms)

[david8866]

I mailed order a few "Iceberg" own rooted rose. When I received them, I found there are two/three cutting in one pot - it should be planted as one plant. It puzzles me, what will those roses grow to be - smaller, but bushier? Or, doubt the size?
It bothers me, because I bought those to match my other "Iceberg" roses. Anyone has idea what to do?

[Okiegirlfriend]

Plant it and hope for the best!

[si33]

David8866,

From your description, it sounds like the taken cuttings were planted in what can be called a "community" pot..in simple terms, the grower placed 2 or 3 cuttings in one pot to assure that at least one of the cuttings would take during the rooting process..

This growing technique is often used with seed-planted annuals, vegetables, Orchids, and palms, just to name a few..This is how several palm species (and sometimes other tree species, like White birch) which are normally solitary growing in nature are grown as double or triple specimens..

Orchid-wise, the seedlings of many species often require a community pot start..not to mention that the seedlings themselves are tiny to begin with..I saw this clearly demonstrated while visiting a nursery specializing in orchids a couple years ago..pretty neat..anyhow

With Annual and vegetable plants, its a matter of which seedling plants will successfully develop..vrs the others in the same hole..

Ive also seen this in some of the Flower carpet and iceberg roses we receive at the nursery i currently work at..They tend to develop more densely but im not sure about overall size..

Provided that they all look healthy, you can attempt to divide them up into separate specimens..and keep them potted until each plant recovers from the initial separation process..then plant them where you want them in your garden..

IMO, they'd probably benefit from being divided up..simply because each plant's root system is going to be competing for water and nutrients in the ground..and if one fails, it might pass on a disease to the otherwise healthier plant alot easier then if they were separated..

And while there are some plants which don't mind starting out..and remaining crowded, i doubt roses are one of them..

[Cliffie]

I agree with the poster above. Sounds like a three-for-one mistake in your favor!

[david8866]

Big surprise! First time I emailed the grower, they said it should be plant as one plant. That's the way they do it. Second time I emailed concerning how they will grow (competing with each other, overcrowded...). No, I have not heard from them since (almost 7 days now); it was holiday weekend, who knows they will ever reply.