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Ask Felicia: Grafted vs. Own Root Koko Loko Roses

In her weekly newsletter, Growing Wonder with Felicia Alvarez: Simple Tips for Thriving Roses, Gardens & Homes, Felicia offers expert advice to help you cultivate stunning roses, vibrant gardens, and welcoming homes. Each edition features a subscriber-submitted question, where Felicia provides thoughtful answers to your rose, garden, and home-related queries. This Q&A was originally featured as a highlighted question from one of our subscribers, published in the newsletter.


QUESTION FOR FELICIA


Q: "Have you found a difference between grafted Koko Loko vs own root Koko Loko?"

Submitted by: Fiona from Richmond, VT - Zone 4b/5a


A:  Hi Fiona! There's definitely a noticeable difference between grafted and own-root Koko Loko roses, and in my experience, grafted plants perform much better. Four seasons ago, I added both types to my bare-root rose collection (I now only offer grafted), and about seven years ago, I set up a trial section in my field to compare their performance side by side. Today, the grafted Koko Loko roses consistently outshine the own-root ones in my commercial cut flower production field, producing nearly twice as many blooms throughout the growing season. The grafted plants are also hardier and more vigorous overall.
 
The key advantage of grafted roses is the vigor and adaptability provided by their rootstock. This helps them establish more quickly and grow larger, with a more abundant display of flowers, especially during the first few years. They're also more tolerant of challenging conditions, like poor soil or environmental stress, making them a reliable option for gardeners who want a thriving plant.
 
Although I'm a strong advocate for own-root roses and successfully grow many varieties, Koko Loko has proven to be an exception. While own-root Koko Loko roses eventually develop into healthy, well-rounded shrubs, they take longer to establish, tend to stay smaller and produce fewer blooms. For those seeking faster growth and a larger, hardier plant, I highly recommend opting for grafted Koko Loko roses. 
 
That said, grafted roses may not always be the best choice for growers in cooler climates like yours. In such conditions, own-root Koko Loko roses are likely better suited to thrive. Your unique soil type and environmental factors also play an important role, so while my advice is based on personal experience at my farm location, I'd encourage you to try both options. By experimenting with both own-root and grafted roses in your garden, you can determine which performs best in your specific conditions. Happy growing, Felicia

GET HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN

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Photos by: Jill Carmel Photography

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