Thanks for 'splainin all that! Wow!
If I think of it as keeping a new rose in a pot means one less stressor on the plant, then I get it. You hit it on the mark with the dry soil. I've seen new plants wilt because I missed 1 day watering. Our wind just never stops, and even without heat, the plants are drying out. I keep replacing mulch because it blows away too! It's hard to keep more than a couple of inches of loose mulch around plants. That wind keeps me from using any sort of umbrella, but I do have the shadehouse, and we are considering putting poly back on it instead of the shadecloth. The poly creates a whole new set of problems, but it would allow me to grow baby roses in pots at least through the spring.
I quit using peat several years ago for environmental reasons, and I've seen it form a mat where water rolls off instead of soaking in. Even in a pot, it is hard to get it mixed enough to prevent dry areas. The commercial mixes sold around here have too much bark for my liking. I keep vermiculite on hand to supplement the pro mix, or sunshine mix that I use.
I did end up winning 4 roses at the rare rose auction in Carlsbad on Sunday. They are potted and actively growing, so I'll have to keep them indoors all winter while they get over their shock of being in Kansas. We're planning to install a big set of French doors in the garage, so they'll have enough sunlight to not be forced into dormancy. I don't have a dark cool place, or I would let them sleep. Several succulents and tropicals came home with me somehow from another benefit auction on Saturday, what was I thinking? aaargh. Where will I put all these? Guess I'm going to be cleaning out the basement and adding grow lights.
