Band Rose from K&M Rose Nursery - Sep 2024 - Part 1

Part 2:

Video taken on Sept 20, 2024 in Zone 9b, California.
This video is NOT sponsored.

What are band roses?
Easy terms, baby roses. These are own root roses taken from mother plant and rooted.

Rose rooting is hard. I tried and I got a 100% failure. I tried the bag method, glass dome method, 3 cups method... All failed!

Why band roses?
In addition the perks of getting a own root plant (Seriously all my grafted roses died and then Dr. Huey pop out and take over every year! So annoying!), usually they offer in more varieties. If it is a hard to find rose, most likely you can find it as a band (baby months old rose), then a grafted (on multiflora or Dr Huey depending on the vendor / area), then an own root (2 years adult).

Why I bought from this vendor?
I don't have much experience from buying roses, but I consistently hear good things from them. They are small business. They have good communication. They show their plant on platform. There is good review about them. Their prices are good.

I am still a rose newbie. Prior to this, my purchasing experience is only limited to big box store (home dept, grocery outlet, etc) and David Austin US. For the big box store, it is usually a hit and miss. Their price is very good, but the quality of the plant is questionable. They might have rose mosaic disease, if not worse. Most of them are also grafted, and did not make it. David Austin US own root are more mature plants. But they sold out fast. I live in West Coast and they are sold before I even wake up in the morning (as the date is not pre-announced). In addition, the bigger plant means more expensive shipping. Once you make your initial purchase, you are less likely to repeat to buy more until the next few years when more new variety or retired variety back in the market. Also bigger plant means bigger hole to dig! They have excellent warranty and customer service though!
I tried to purchase from another "rising star nursery" last year, but as some of the rose community knows, that whole thing ends up like "Catch me if you can" movie (no I will not mention the name). I got my money back after spending months to follow up with my credit card company. To date, some in the rose community still did not manage to recover on the non-deliverable products. So do be careful when you are making a purchase. Buy from a reputable vendor. Do not just believe in social media and awards. Do your research.

How did I buy from this vendor?
I started to contact the nursery as soon as they posting their inventory this year in Aug 20, 2024 (via Facebook). This is NOT a presale. It is selling what they have in inventory. Being the first time purchasing from this nursery and band roses, the process is very easy. The communication is perfect. I expressed my concerned I am in California and hot weather here, and they are willing to wait and ship later. They did not charge me until I asked for the invoice the week before. They sell in package of 4 roses to maximize the shipping capabilities (that means you maximized the number of roses you get with the purchase!). They shipped on the agreed date on Sept 16 (they ship every Mon and Tues unless it is a holiday). The invoice is a link to pay online, with clear price breakdown. The shipping rate is exactly as USPS rate, as you can see on the stamp. The packaging is perfect. They charge the carton fee at a rate more than fair. So much work was putting into safe packing and ensure the content is still moist. The roses arrived in good health.
This purchase is for 12 roses which should come in 2 packages. The first package arrived Friday Sept 20. The second package is taking a sightseeing tour in Nevada, so hopefully I will make more video to show when they arrived next week.

Below is my purchase price breakdown.
$18 per rose (and I purchased 12)
$12 cartons (so about $1 per rose)
Shipping (from MS to CA)
Tax

These are the difficult roses I've got from this package.
1) AUSwinter
2) AUSjo
3) AUSsaucer
4) AUSoil

Funny fact:
The people working here is so professional and kind. They deal with my weather concern! They even follow up with me on a weekend to confirm on my address (as I completely forgot to give it to them)! They work so hard and I can sensed they are so proud of their roses. I can tell by the packaging already! Even the stickers are straight and nice. No one do that these days any more. The little tissue on top of each flap to ensure the soil retain in the container! They are just superb!

#garden
#gardening
#gardentour
#davidaustinroses
#davidaustin
#gardenscapes