Last winter the Arctic Vortex, what ever that is, killed our entire greenhouse inventory of 2 year olds. We were just not prepared for ten days in a row of - 6 degree - below freezing weather. I've lived in Athens, Ga for 50 years now and I cannot remember a winter as cold as it was last year. Ugh!
Well, we've recovered from our loss and you can be sure, this winter we are prepared. We'll be winterizing our greenhouses and stand guard. Another Arctic Vortex......bring it on!
Ok, let's forget the past and get back to the present and future. Our 2 year olds' are beautiful and ready to ship. Look at the root systems. Oh yeah.......they're ready.
The fall is a very good time of the year to put these 2 year olds' into the ground soil. Here's a little tip. Take a sharp knife and slit the roots down each of the four sides and fan the roots out like a ballerina's tutu. Then plant them. They don't need to go very deep. 2-3 inches. We call this, tickling the roots. It helps stimulate much faster root growth and sends the new growth off in the right direction.
Give them a little blanket of mulch to insulate them from the cold of the upcoming winter and keep them watered until it starts to freeze. And do remember that Lenten Roses take 4 years to flower for the first time so these guys will need another full year of growth before they flower but that's not a bad thing because by getting them into your gardens at this age they will have plenty of time to get comfortable in their new home and start filling out. By the time they are ready to flower they will be large and lush. Space them 2-3 feet apart. Trophy size plants will grow 3 feet in diameter and produce up to 100 flowers each. Wow!
By the way, we're selling these for less than $4 each - a Bakers Dozen (13) for $48. That's way below what retail nurseries charge for the same plant.
There is a lot more information about the beautiful Lenten Rose on my web site. Check it out.
LentenRose.com
Cheers. Enjoy.
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