Question
I have received a dormant rose in a box from Jackson and Perkins. I had planned to put it in the ground upon receipt, but we have had an unnusual cold snap here with temperatures as low as 24 degrees. February here is usually 44, with March at 46 and April at 50. I will soak it in water for several hours before planting, but I'm reluctant to put it in the ground until the weather stabilizes. What to do? Unbox it and put it in sawdust? Soak it and store it in sawdust or compost in soil or compost? I want this, and several more I expect to receive soon, to get off to the best possible start.

Thank you for your help with this.

Sincerely,

Joan Dawson

Answer
store it in the package that J&P sent it to you in. just put it in a cool dry spot. unfortunately you don't say where "here" is. it does depend where you are to get it planted. it is in a dormant state. so long as it is not exposed to too much heat it will not break dormancy. the timing of what needs to be done to your roses depends on where you live. i'm in southern NJ.
buy an inexpensive book(sunset, ortho, etc.) on rose care at your local garden center. quiz them on rose care in your while there.
wait till danger of  frost disappears  & then remove the rose from the bag and plant it in the ground. roses like lots of sunlite.
there are many type roses so care also depends on which type you have - grandiflora, hybrid tea, floribunda, miniature, climber, old english, hedge, groundcover, etc.
good luck
rick
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