rose planted on dads ashes

**Alison** · 05-08-2015, 06:35 AM

Can't help with the rose as don't grow them but there's no way you've let your dad down. I suspect if your dad was anything like mine then he lives on in memories etc which are far more real than physical ashes. The rose probably needs feed and treatment but your dad is at peace whatever.

**SusieG** · 05-08-2015, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by Muppet194 View Post

When my dad passed away 4 and a half years ago, my brother and I didnt want to scatter his ashes but he loved being in my garden so we thought it best that he stay there, close to us. Didnt seem right to keep him in the plastic urn but didnt want to scatter him into the earth in case I moved house or something. Anyway long story short, decision made to put dads ashes with compost in a nice roomy pot and plant a lovely rose bush on top which we thought would bloom and we could see dad living on.
The first year was ok, the second not quite as good, rose got black spot andI suspect I didnt prune it properly. Last year it was feeble, and this year no flowers just a few horrible spotty leaves.
The pot is fairly big, its in full sun, watered plenty... whats going wrong? Can I rescue the rose bush? Sorry for long post, any advice gratefully received. I feel like I've let my dad down.

I too can't help with your rose problem - guessing someone will come along with an answer soon. if the rose for some reason doesn't survive, you know, no matter, it's just a rose, honey. Your Dad, I'm sure, would've appreciated what you're doing and wouldn't want you to feel like a failure or you'd let him down. Your Dad lives on in you and your brother - always in your thoughts and forever held close in your heart x

**1Bee** · 05-08-2015, 10:21 AM

And if he loved the garden, he'd have known that growing plants have no guarantees, and you win some you lose some. He'd be happy with you either way. ((((hugs))))

**veggiechicken** · 05-08-2015, 10:53 AM

I know nothing about roses either but they're tough old boots. I'd be tempted to prune it hard back, give it a good feed and see what it does by spring. If nothing, refresh the compost and plant with something different.
As the others have said, your Dad's still there, in your heart. Planting a rose for him was a lovely thing to do but sadly, plants, like people, don't live forever. Memories do though.

**Muppet194** · 05-08-2015, 12:07 PM

Thankyou everyone, such kind words. Feel better already and yes, think I'll give it a good prune and a feed and if no good next year stop worrying and plant something else. My dad hated gardening, he'd sit with a coffee and we'd chat as I pottered around! He'd be laughing his head off that I'm worrying about the rose!

**veggiechicken** · 05-08-2015, 12:17 PM

Maybe you should get a garden seat with your dad's name on it, sounds like that would be more in keeping

**Knight of Albion** · 05-08-2015, 12:34 PM

A good little article on growing quality roses in containers ...
Container Growing - Select Roses

He'd be laughing at you worrying about the rose?! But he'd be very touched that you still love, remember and think of him...

I'm sure he has many king-size exquisite roses in the garden of his spirit home, but persevere with your memory rose all the same, because as others have said, it is a lovely thing to do.

**Bigmallly** · 05-08-2015, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by Muppet194 View Post

My dad hated gardening, he'd sit with a coffee and we'd chat as I pottered around!

If the Rose dunt make it Muppet, what you need is a nice garden sign:

**seasprout** · 05-08-2015, 06:23 PM

Its highly likely your rose got a touch of black spot because it got a bit dry at the roots, give it a good feed, replace the top layer of compost with some new fresh stuff and you should be good to go. Also the bigger the pot the better for it.

**Bigmallly** · 05-08-2015, 07:28 PM

Originally posted by seasprout View Post

replace the top layer of compost with some new fresh stuff and you should be good to go.

Nooooooooooooo.......

.....Dads can never be replaced, just top it up.

**bend1pa** · 05-08-2015, 08:34 PM

Any idea what variety the rose is? Do you still have the label attached to the plant?

**Muppet194** · 06-08-2015, 12:02 PM

Thanks again all. Do you know, I ummed and ahhed for ages before posting in case I got negative comments like its disrespectful to keep ashes indefinitely in a plant pot or something.
It did still have its label, its 'At Peace', a hybrid tea rose, I bought it from Poplars from the remembrance and celebration roses section. I had a bit of ivy sharing the same pot, I've removed this today cus thats probably not doing the rose any favours, and bought a good feed. Shall I top up the pot with mpc or farmyard manure (the bagged stuff from the gc) as I've got some of each in the garden at the mo? And my google research says to prune in winter, what would happen if I cut it hard back now then? Would you recommend I feed etc and wait til winter to prune? I'm not much good with flowers, veg are my thing!
Thanks again guys xx

**bend1pa** · 06-08-2015, 08:09 PM

Ok. I have to say I had never come across At Peace before, although there is a famous rose called Peace. But Ive looked it up and your rose does indeed exist.

Anyway, I think your main problem is that you have a hybrid tea (HT) growing in a container, and after 3 or 4 years it's now outgrown it and is suffering. Strictly speaking all HTs need to be grown in the ground as they eventually make a sizeable root system that likes to spread out and put its roots down. The only type of rose you can expect to grow successfully in a container or large pot are the patio roses, which are shorter than the HTs and have a much smaller root system. I know the reason why you put it in a container but you will have a problem trying to keep it growing healthily, even if you feed it. The best thing you can do meanwhile is prune it back and give it a few liquid tomato feeds over the next 2 months and see if that makes any difference in reviving it.

**Bill HH** · 06-08-2015, 08:26 PM

I am not a fan of chemical sprays, particularly on vegetables etc. I do however spray my roses or black spot would kill them. I use rose Clear. The secret is to begin spraying as soon as the plants begin to show growth in the spring and to regularly spray it throughout the summer. It comes in handy spray bottles and should last all year. However whether your dad liked to use sprays is another question.
What i would do is replant it in the open ground this autumn but retain the original pot contents and plant a patio rose in that in as large a pot as you can. Then if you move you can at least take the pot with you.

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