Why has my bare root rose died?
sounds like a pound shop is something like a 2 dollar reject shop. first thing is should have come from a proper nursery with first grade stock and has been in moist sawdust or moist soil whole time before you get it. when you get them from a shop don't know how long has been in plastic with sawdust and is the roots still ok and not dried out and also in a warm shop as can sweat . which is what your plant had as already had set leaf not the ones to pick. Next i would not have put in water to hydrate but got into the ground at once or if put in water i would have made it for couple of hours soaking. And went out and got the hole dug in a sunny spot in ground dug over and had manure and compost add months before. Next would have got the rose and checked out for broken roots cut any of them of clean planted roots in a vase shape over a mound and had mark on bark below the graft level with the ground and a saucer shape . That is what i would have done if it would have had any difference with that plant no one could say as probably root dried out before you got it and the new growth which was meant to get the rose going until the roots got started already happened. Once in ground have to look after to keep soil moist but not waterlogged.and use no fertilizer but just something for roots only
Installing new sod: What is better to use, compost or topsoil? Whats the difference?
Topsoil is sufficient, provided that the grade of the soil is away from the house. If there are dips, ruts or such, then place some topsoil in those areas. Compost is richer, but if it is not done "composting" will pull a lot of nitrogen from the roots of any plants you put down, and that will make it difficult for the plants to take root, and they may suffer and yellow out. St. Augustine vr. Bermuda: St. Augustine is more aggressive, and all we need to do in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area is to plant little plugs is all that is necessary, as they will fill in by the end of the summer. Non aggressive grasses may require the more expensive route of square patches or full coverage of an area. Be certain that there is high nitrogen to get the root system started and going, and water new grass every 3-4 days, depending upon the heat and humidity in your area. Living in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas area for 42+ years, I can't even begin to offer any advice outside of the area that I have had to work with plants and lawns. You didn't mention where you live, so you may want to search the internet to locate some garderners show in your area for some expertise. For DFW, we use Neil Sperry, who is our local expert. He is on radio and has a website, which I pasted below. Enjoy your new lawn! If you get it going right, fertilize and water properly, have a good variety planted, treat for regional bugs and diseases when needed, you will be the envy of your neighborhood! 053008 2:52
Can we grow plants in coco peat?
Yes and no.Coco peat is a good grow medium but not entirely sufficient to grow plants. It's good for germination but lacks micro and macro nutrients required for plant growth. But a good mixture of coco peat, soil, and fertilizer can do the trick.Let me explain.Although coco peat has really good water retention capabilities and has a PH value of 5.6 to 6.8 which is ideal for plants, it lacks the 3 most important nutrients. NPK. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the most important things that are needed for healthy plants.Nitrogen for leaf growthPhosphorus for root, flowers and seed developmentPotassium strong stem growthTherefore, what gardeners usually do is prepare what we call in the gardening world as a “potting mix”.A potting mix is pretty simple once you've mastered the basics of gardening. With coco peat as base, add nutrients to it.Therefore, my potting mix always contains the following.One part coco peatOne part soil / dirtOne fourth part of vermicompost or worm compost or worm castingsOne fourth part of Bone meal or fish mealAnd I usually add one fourth part of Neem cake or castor cakeThere you have it. My secret potting mix recipe.I've written this on my blog[1] but yet to complete it.Footnotes[1] DIY Potting Mix Recipe the Just Grow way!
Gardeners! What exactly is Humus and what is peat moss? My plants I am getting through a nursery online say..?
The purpose of either of these materials is to put organic material into soil containing mostly clay and/or sand. With the organic material the soil holds water better, is more biodiverse, and as it breaks down releases nutrients to the plants. Finished compost is excellent for this... but is messy and can be rather expensive to buy. I suggest you start a compost pile if you are going to continue to garden. Peat moss works as well... but contains fewer nutrients than finished compost and tends to acid.... so if you use a lot you need to add gypsum or lime powder to the soil as well... so the pH doesn't get too high. Peat Moss IS NOT endangered. That's ridiculous. There are peat bogs stretching across VAST areas of the northern hemisphere. Anything that covers 2% of the entire land area of the earth is FAR from "endangered." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peat The issue with peat is that it functions as a "carbon sink" locking CO2 into the ground. It is released when the peat is dug up.... and then mixed into garden soil where it decomposes further. Anyway peat is great for your garden.... it adds organic material and unlike compost... you can buy it in neat bails at the garden center and carry it in the trunk of your car. Use whatever is more economical in your area. Thoroughly mix the humus or peat into the soil you will be planting in..... a good rule is digging a hole 3 times the width of the pot you are planting. The soil you dig out should be mixed with the compost..... and then the mixture should be used to fill in the holes. Good luck.