Question
Hello Mike,
  I looked for an answer, but I didn't find one, and if I missed it, I am sorry.  I just recently moved to Missouri, near St. Louis. I have no idea what will grow here, but someone has given me some floribunda rose seeds.  I have never attempted roses before so I have no idea what a I am doing.  I was told that this variety of rose is much easier to grow, so I want to try.  My question for you is, how do I start them?  I have 5 seeds and don't know how to begin or when to put them in ground.  Thank you very much in advance for any information.
Samanthe

Answer
You will have a much higher probability of success if you start the seeds indoors. Simply plant one seed each in 6" ceramic pots filled with potting soil. Water the soil deeply, sow the seeds just below the soil level, and cover the pots with a lightweight plastic to increase humidity and speed the germination process. Once the seedling emerges, remove the plastic and place the pot in a SE window or under fluorescent lighting. Keep the soil moist, but not drenched.

Once the plant matures, treat it as you would any houseplant until early fall. At this time, you can transplant it into the garden bed. Make sure you supplement the soil with organic matter, such as compost, aged manure, and/or peat before planting. The roots will establish themselves throughout the fall and will go dormant in the winter. Just make sure you mulch the plant heavily with shredded leaves or straw before the first hard freeze. This will protect the plant through the winter. Next spring, you should have a viable rose bush ready to bloom.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike