[Elisha]

Hi.
I was given a rose bush in memory of our baby we lost to miscarriage last Friday. I haven't planted it yet, because I don't know what to do with it.

We live in Southwest Michigan. It's wet in the spring, dry and hot in the summer, cold in the fall. The rose is a John F. Kennedy Hybrid Tea Rose bush. It came in a plastic pot, but without detailed planting instructions. I know I should just go up to the nursery up the road, but I haven't been out much this past week. I don't know if I should plant in full sun/partial sun/no sun, etc.

If anyone has advice, that would be greatly appreciated. I want this rose to thrive as it represents someone so special to me.

Thank you.

 

[reeseccup]

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, I hope your rose can thrive.

http://www.greatlakesroses.com/pages/324339/

Roses need at least 6 hours of direct sunshine, best if morning sun since it drys them up in the morning (they are prone to dieseases from too much on leaf moisture). They also need deep, rich/fertile soil, they like soil ph to be about 5.5-6.5, so ammend to accomidate them. mix any excavated soil with composted manure, dump half of the new soil in the hole and make a mound in the center, set rose on the mound with its roots spread out around the mound pour in half of "rose banana smoothie" and cover roses gently with soil, pressing it down to make sure no air pockets, when almost fully covered with soil, give rest of "rose banana smoothie", finish soil and mulch. water deeply. roses love bananas, so if you have bananas or the peels to compost...instead burry them around the base of your rose bush.

rose banana smoothie:
1 Banana skin (cutting of the top and bottom or a whole rippened banana is fine too)
1/4 cup Epsom salts (The magnesium in Epsom salts assists in the metabolic process)
4 Cups of black coffee cooled

you can give this smoothing to your rose about 3 or so weeks during the growing season, stop around the last 6 weeks or so before frost, by moving mulch aside pour then move mulch back. this fall plant garlic around your rose, garlic is a natural pest deterent and is a great copanion for your rose.

 

[Elisha]

Thank you, reeseccup.

 

[CRosewhisper]

Here is some more detailed info about the JFK rose. Description from Everyrose.com