Growing roses from seed

Hi all

As a present last year, I received a small cardboard box with dry compost (called 'elephant poo in a box'!) and rose seeds in it, which the instructions said I was to water... I did and lo and behold four rose seedlings have appeared! This is all good but now I'm wondering when I can pot them on, especially as the cardboard box has started to sprout black mould (perhaps, in hindsight, not a good idea to grow stuff in cardboard!!) and I'm not keen on having this in the house for longer than necessary (it's on a windowsill at the mo).

How big do the rose seedlings have to be before you can pot them on? At the moment, mine have two true leaves and a third just appearing. They still seem very small and delicate.

Otherwise, could I put the box outside until the seedlings are big enough to pot on? I have a mini-greenhouse that I could put the box in. This might be a good solution but I don't want the seedlings to die of cold!

Any advice welcome

Paddy

 

Hi,

This is the present I got:

http://www.nhmshop.co.uk/green-gifts/elephant-poo-in-a-box/product.html

It is an 'angel rose' apparently. Hope this helps!

Paddy

 

I have a very similar issue with cardboard or paper pots-very prone to fungus.

I have the greatest respect for Woo with his knowledge of roses and very gentlemanly manner, I personally would plant them outside now discarding the cardboard to avoid any issues with the fungal problems.


That's just my take on it because that is the issue I have with the seedlings of any plant I have. It's safer in the garden.

 

Thanks!

So if I did repot them, would it be ok to leave them outside? Or would they be better in a greenhouse/polytunnel until they're a bit stronger?

Also - is it a perennial??

P