Mail order David Austin kept in the dark! Can it survive?

Wed May 25, 2011 7:35 pm

A friend of mine ordered a David Austin via Mail Order, but it was delayed in shipping and has arrived a bit leggy, pale and limp. Now, last time I had a similar rose, I pruned it all the way back to the wood and it's now nice and big and bushy, some 6 weeks later. I don't want to have to be so brutal with this one, so is there any chance of it surviving? I've watered it, and put it in a nice sunny spot to get some light back on it, hopefully getting the clorophyll back into touch...

any advice?

Thu May 26, 2011 9:38 pm

First, notify the seller of the shipping delay, so if the rose doesn't make it, you can perhaps get a replacement. "Leggy" doesn't seem like a shipping problem. The nurseries licensed here in the US for David Austin roses are usually the best--I'd let them know about this rose's condition, and what you are doing to try to help it.
I'd give it shade during the hottest, brightest part of the day for a week or so. Also a half-strength balanced fertilizer, preferably a water-soluble one, wouldn't hurt.
David Austins are among my favorite roses. I have several, and they do well, even with our Texas heat.