Ask Felicia: Should You Use Dormant Oil on Bare Root 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.

Q: "Do you recommend spraying dormant oil on bare root roses once planted before they start to “wake up?"

Submitted by: Haley from Celina, Texas - Zone 8b, Gardener

A: Hi Haley - Yes! I do recommend spraying dormant oil on newly planted bare root roses before they start to wake up. This helps smother any overwintering pests that could be in hiding on the plant or jumped on after planting. It can be a great preventative step, especially if you're planting in an area of your garden with a history of pest issues.

Just be sure to apply it on a dry day when temperatures are above freezing but still cool. And most importantly, make sure to follow the label directions for the oil so you don't over apply and risk burning the canes. A well-timed spray before bud break, combined with good airflow, proper watering, and organic feeding, will set your roses up for a strong, healthy start!

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Ask Felicia: Should You Use Dormant Oil on Bare Root Roses?

Ask Felicia: Should You Use Dormant Oil on Bare Root Roses?

Q: "Do you recommend spraying dormant oil on bare root roses once planted before they start to “wake up?"

Submitted by: Haley from Celina, Texas - Zone 8b, Gardener

GET HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN

Search our Site

Ask Felicia: Should You Use Dormant Oil on Bare Root Roses?

Ask Felicia: Should You Use Dormant Oil on Bare Root Roses?

Q: "Do you recommend spraying dormant oil on bare root roses once planted before they start to “wake up?" Submitted by: Haley from Celina, Texas - Zone 8b, Gardener

GET HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN

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Q: "Do you recommend spraying dormant oil on bare root roses once planted before they start to “wake up?"

Submitted by: Haley from Celina, Texas - Zone 8b, Gardener