Bare root plants take special care

Q. Are bare root plants OK to buy? Are they a bargain, but lots of work? Will they live long?

Loretta from Youngstown

A. In gardening the term “bare root” means a plant that is offered for sale with its roots exposed. Bare root plants are not in containers and are not sold with any soil. The plant is in a dormant state and the soil has been washed away.

Yes, it is a money-saving way to purchase new plants. This makes for easy, lightweight shipping. And it can be less work.

Not all plants do well with bare root planting, but roses, hostas, daylilies, many perennials, shrubs and fruit trees, strawberries raspberries and asparagus do. When choosing at the store, you should inspect the roots, making sure they are firm, not soft, with no rot, mold or mildew. The plant should smell earthy, not yucky.

I feel ordering on the internet or asking for a shipping date at your local garden center assures a fresher product. When it arrives, the plant may look like dead sticks; this is normal. In the bag there will likely be sawdust or peat moss to absorb moisture. Roots and rhizomes should feel heavy. If they feel light and dried out, the plant may be dead. It should be planted within 48 hours of arrival. If that is not possible, keep it chilled, but do not let it freeze. You do not want the plant to break its dormancy before you get it in the ground.

The roots must be kept moist at all times when exposed to the air, or you may kill the plant. I always soak mine for a few hours before planting.

Detailed directions will be on the package. Never bend or cut the roots to shorten them for easier planting. I usually pot plant bare root plants, taking care to spread the roots in the pot and later in the planting hole. I slowly introduce my new plant to light. As with any plant, placement is important.

Be certain to thoroughly water newly planted roots until leaves appear. Depending on the cultivar, this will likely take a week or up to several weeks. Do not fertilize for at least a month after you place the plant in your garden. Plant and care for it as if it were a potted plant you were introducing into your garden. You may need to stake your new plant, particularly the first year.

For fruit trees, be sure the graft is above the ground when planting the tree. This is true for some roses, too. When planting any bare root plant, be sure to plant at the same level it was growing before it was dug. Most of the time, it will be just above the top set of roots.

Visit http://go.osu.edu/bareroot to learn about more benefits of planting bare root plants,

This week’s answer is provided by Marilyn McKinley, OSU Extension master gardener volunteer in Mahoning County. Winter hours for the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic vary. Submit questions to the clinic at 330-533-5538 or drop samples off at the Extension office in Canfield.