Caring For Roses

Roses are the most beautiful and elegant flowers in our gardens, bar none.   Their sophistication enhances our lives in countless ways, from symbols of love to elegant adornments in any situation.  

But there's nothing romantic about a bush that doesn't produce beautiful blooms. Roses have a renowned reputation for being hard plant to care for.  Not to worry though.  Once you finish this article you’ll know how to provide the tender loving care your roses need to blossom as picture as any picture of a rose you’ve seen.

While some rose plant owners find this to be true, there are a few simple steps you can take to have a beautiful and easy to enjoy garden.

Water Adequately 

The basic necessity for any plant is water.  The frequency of watering depends on the soil, climate and age of the plant. Water the soil around your rose a few mornings a week, gradually, until the soil is thoroughly soaked, about 12 to 18 inches deep.

Try to keep water from splashing onto foliage as this can spread diseases. However, about once a week, give your rose a "shower" with a spray nozzle hose attachment. This treatment adds water and humidity, and clears leaves of dirt, dust, spider mites or other destructive insects. Never sprinkle bushes in the afternoon or evening, which can promote disease.  

Because of roses have deep roots they are capable of extracting water from the sub-soil even when the surface is dry.  Proper amounts of water encourage this type of growth..  Roses need to be provided with about 1 to 2 inches of water each week. As a general guideline, water two to four times a week for about 30 minutes.

Feed Regularly

Most roses appreciate an occasional feeding.  The first feeding should be done when the bush first leafs out. For the remainder of the growing season, fertilize after each flush of blooms Stop fertilizing about 2 months before the first frost, around Labor Day.  Scratch dry fertilizers into the soil beneath the leaves, while avoiding touching the canes or bud union.  Then water generously.

Fertilizing your roses should be routine maintenance.  Although, the majority of rose varieties can flourish for years without fertilizer if they are planted in properly prepared soil.  They simply feed on nutrients produced by organisms living in the soil.  Apply a slow-release fertilizer to the soil just as the plant is coming out of its dormancy period in early spring.  Use smaller amounts, when blooming ceases and shows indications of preparing for the dormancy season.  Avoid fertilizing all together past midsummer. 

Roses do well with both inorganic and organic fertilizer.  However, the advantages of organic fertilizer allow the material to be more easily digested by the plant   thus emitting helpful bacteria and fungus into the soil which aids fertility. 

Pruning Promotes Blooming 

Generous pruning creates bigger plants and eventually more flowers per plant. Selective pruning of top growth produces bigger, but fewer, blooms. So you’ll need to decide which you prefer.

Pruning is usually done in the spring, to remove the dead, broken, or diseased wood from the plant.  Pruning can be used as a technique for shaping your rose plant.  Just as pruning the actual flowers encourage growth, removing flower buds helps start a new plant.

To prune roses you'll need the following supplies: sharp curved-edge pruning shears; long-handled lopping shears, and gardening gloves can help protect you from thorns.
Pruning roses controls the size and shape of rose plants.  Generous pruning creates bigger plants and eventually more flowers per plant. Selective pruning of top growth can produce bigger, but fewer, blooms.  Here are some tips:

• Pruning keeps most modern varieties blooming repeatedly all summer long
• Prune well-established hybrid teas, floribundas and grandifloras early each spring after the winter protection has been removed and just as the buds begin to swell.
• Prune old-fashioned roses and climbers once a year immediately after flowering since they bloom on wood from the previous year's growth.

Caring for roses takes time and commitment.  It also requires patience, skill, and knowledge.  But, there is nothing better more rewarding than displaying these magnificent plants on your lawn, garden or dining room table.