Problems growing roses.

I think the graft is at soil level. All three stems emanate from that point so it cannot be rootstock. Whether it is it isn't shouldn't affect the experiment. I just want to see if it is dead or alive and if it is alive I will plant it in the ground.
@JWK Everything I have read tells me to dig in well-rotted manure before planting shrubs so that is what I have been doing. The manure I put in the bottom of the hole I have dug for the new rose is just to encourage worms. I will remove it and mix it in with the soil and compost I use to backfill the hole. There is only a couple of inches in depth.

 

I have just taken delivery of a new potted "Chandos Beauty" and I have been advised by the nursery to "backfill with enriched topsoil (garden compost, manure, or a proprietary rose and shrub compost will be ideal)." (my italics) I don't know whether I should or shouldn't use manure now.

 

What you can do is a ‘bean test’, whereby you plant a few beans (of your choice) in a 50/50 mix of manure and compost. If the resulting seedlings get away ok, then you know the manure is good to use.

 

Yes, I read that test. Thanks.

 

Putting fertiliser of any kind in the bottom of a hole defeats the object because the roots sit above it. As our friends have said here, fertiliser is best mixed in with soil and then back filled into the hole. When the plant is watered the fertiliser will wash through to the roots without burning them.

Using manure for roses is not as popular as it was and is now mostly used as a top dressing in early spring. I haven't used it at all for any shrubs as well as roses for some years. Preferring to use a handful or two of blood, fish and bone (BFB) mixed into the soil on planting and as a general fertiliser for all shrubs early in the year. BFB promotes foliage growth. As flowering starts and continues on through the summer I use a tomato fertiliser about once a month on all young shrubs giving them approximately a gallon each, after dilution of course. I stop any feeding by the end of July to allow the plants to settle down ready for dormancy in winter.

Don't forget that roses are thirsty as well as hungry plants and must be watered regularly during dry spells.