How to Treat a Baby Rosebush

Plant baby rosebushes where they will receive bright, direct sunlight for most of the day. Avoid shaded areas since the bushes will take on a leggy appearance and may not bloom as much.

Provide a bed of rich, well-draining soil with plenty of space for the baby rosebush's root system to expand. Select a bedding site with soil that contains a high level of organic material and a pH of around 6.5, which is mildly acidic.

Feed baby rosebushes with 10-10-10 fertilizer. Use half the recommended dosage when feeding baby roses, since their roots are sensitive and may become burned or damaged by full-strength fertilizer.

Water baby rosebushes to a depth of 1 to 2 inches each week. Water deeply but infrequently and avoid spraying water on the leaves to keep the plant from developing mildew, black spot or root rot, all the result of excess moisture.

Mulch heavily around the base of baby rosebushes to protect their roots from temperature fluctuations and moisture loss. Spread a 2-inch layer of rotted manure, pine needles or compost around the bush, leaving a 4-inch gap between the mulch and the trunk.

Drape burlap around the top of the baby rosebush during its first winter to protect it from frost. Remove the burlap on warmer days to keep it from developing mildew. Double the layer of burlap on nights when an especially hard frost is forecast.

Prune bushes after they have grown in a permanent pot or bed for one year. Remove crossed branches from the center of the bush to increase airflow among the leaves. Trim 2 or 3 inches of length from each branch to encourage new growth, which will produce an abundance of blooms in summer.