How to acclimate Chinese roses
If you want to understand the small experiences of Chinese roses, such as how to acclimate them, the following is a detailed introduction.
Chinese roses bought online require acclimatization, which is a relatively important step but not mandatory. So, how to acclimate Chinese roses? How to determine if your Chinese roses need acclimatization? Gardeners must first understand the meaning of acclimatization. Acclimatization is the process by which a plant recovers after being transplanted. This process makes it easier for the plant to survive, and without it, it may not necessarily be 100% unsuccessful. It can be said that when the plant is weak, acclimatization can effectively improve survival rates. Therefore, even though some gardeners say that Chinese roses do not need acclimatization and still survive, it is necessary for gardeners to decide based on their own circumstances.
Generally, if the Chinese roses received have good roots (or come with a nutrient pot, not mud), and there are many white new roots, there is no need for acclimatization. They can be potted directly in spring or autumn and placed in the sun on the balcony. In summer, plant them in the evening, water thoroughly, and if the sun is not too strong, they can be exposed to the sun the next day. If it's very hot, keep them in the shade for a few days. Pay attention to ventilation and scattered light. Note that under no circumstances should acclimatization be done indoors; after a week and then exposed to the sun, they will definitely die. Let the roots touch the new medium, which is beneficial for root growth. If using peat-based soil, there is no need for this step, and you don't have to worry about nematode issues.
If the Chinese roses received are bare-rooted or the roots are wrapped in mud (it's best to wash off the mud, which is for transportation and moisture retention), or the plant has lost its leaves, the first step of acclimatization is often to soak in water. However, the author has seen different opinions on this, with some saying it's necessary and others saying it's not. The discrepancy is actually due to the issue of handling scales. The purpose of soaking in water is to allow the roots to absorb moisture and increase their vitality. If you plant directly without soaking, it's not necessarily a problem because watering thoroughly during planting can also allow the roots to absorb moisture. Therefore, the author suggests that gardeners can choose freely whether to soak in water. If not soaking, make sure to water thoroughly, and if soaking, do not soak for too long, usually 5-20 minutes is enough.
Planting Method 1: Spray the dry medium with water while stirring. Don't make it too wet; when you can pick up a handful and not squeeze out water, it's enough. Place the Chinese rose seedlings in a window with scattered light and good ventilation. If the seedlings are in good condition, place them on the south-facing balcony; if not so good, place them on the north-facing balcony. Water thoroughly the next day to settle the roots (depending on the dryness of the soil ball of the seedlings at the time, if it's very dry, water thoroughly immediately).
The reason for not recommending watering thoroughly the day before is that after long-distance transportation, the seedlings may be damp and the potting soil may have bred some bacteria. If it's made too wet, it can easily lead to root rot and black stems. After two or three days, check the condition of the seedlings. If the leaves are firm, with no yellow or wilted leaves, you can gradually move them outdoors for care.
Planting Method 2: Plant with dry medium, then water thoroughly, and place in the same environment as Method 1.
The above [] introduces the complete content on how to acclimate Chinese roses, and green plant enthusiasts can refer to this aspect.