How much space do rose seedlings need

[confuzzled]

How much space do rose seedlings need until their first bloom? What about their first year? When can they be transplanted into the ground? I have searched the internet for information, but have found little that was useful. I know they need anywhere from a 2" pot to a 4" pot, but I don't even know how deep the pots need to be. If they need to be really deep, where can I buy such pots that are affordable?

Also, we have a lot of wildlife here; do I need to protect the seeds/seedlings from rabbits, deer, and mice?

 

[journey11]

I think a four inch nursery pot would be a good start. Most of the roses I've bought were in 10" pots by then and quite large. I've never had one come root-bound. I've managed to get a few cuttings to root, but killed them by letting them get too dry. That would be the thing to watch out for. I've never had rabbits bother my roses. Deer will eat the new shoots and tender tops of the larger plants. I can't imagine that they'd pay too much attention to a little seedling, but with deer you just never know... Good luck!

 

[confuzzled]

but with deer you just never know...

Haha, so true! I sure hope a 4 inch pot will work, as that's the highest I can go within a resonable price range. I'm working on an irrigation system to keep them from drying out; I definately don't want to lose a batch from something so preventable! Deer are a real problem to fence out - I still haven't figured out how I'm going to keep them from my big roses! Ah well, I'll think of something. Thanks for the info and well wishes!