 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 Garden Heights Year-Round Rose Growing Tips Basic Reqirements for Growing Healthy Roses (Rose Tips for Spring) |
|
| Sun Roses perform best when they receive full sunshine for at least 5-6 hours daily. Morning sun is essential; partial afternoon shade is acceptable. Air Circulation Good air movement through the foliage will keep it dry and discourage disease. Plant away from situations that will prevent good air movement and/or plan to prune your bushes so they’ll receive adequate air circulation. Soil Roses need good drainage. This can be achieved by burying a drain tile if a rose bed is being prepared in a site known for poor drainage and/or raised beds are an easier solution. Properly prepared soil, whether for an individual plant or an entire rose bed is the first step in guaranteed success. Organic matter such as Cotton Burr Compost is essential for soil amendment. Not only will it give good texture and drainage; it also aids in the ability to retain moisture and adds nutrients to your soil. Super-phospate (3-4 lbs. per 100 square feet) is a great nutrient to add for stronger root development. Whether digging for a single rose to be planted or an entire bed, remember to dig or till deep (14-18 inches) and add the amendments mentioned above resulting in a raised area that is also at least 8-12 inches wider than the mature spread of the bush (approximately two-thirds its heigh). This allows for less competition from nearby plants for water and nutrients. A deeply cut edge also prevents surrounding turfgrass or roots from nearby plants from competing as well. Plant Depth For grafted roses, the proper depth to plant them in our climate is so that the bud union (grafted area between roots and stems) is at the soil level or slightly above. This area is particularly sensitive to extremely cold temperatures. Most of Garden Heights roses are grown on their own roots. Plant so that the stems are at or just below the soil level. Mulching A great way to control weed growth, retain moisture, prevent soil crusting, adds nutrients and better soil texture and mulch also prevents rapid temperature changes in the soil. Watering You can’t give a rose too much water! Saying this, remember that good drainage is key so that roses are not standing in water. An average of 1-2 inches per week, all-at-once, starting in early spring and continuing through the fall is best. Deep, thorough watering is a must! Shallow and frequent waterings bring weak, shallow-rooted plants. Water at the soil level if possible. If necessary, use overhead water early in the day only, so that the foliage is allowed to dry during the day. Fertilizer Unless a soil test reveals specific nutrient deficiencies, a balanced fertilizer of equal parts Nitrogen (N) – Phosphorous (P) – Potassium (K) is recommended. Dry or granular fertilizers are applied to the soil surface and workin in to the soil and spread to the roots by watering. Liquid fertilizers are added to water and applied to the roots. Foliar liquid fertilizers are sprayed onto the leaves where nutrients are absorbed. Frequency: Species and shrub roses, old roses, and climbers—one application of dry fertilizer as buds begin to break. Repeat blooming old roses and climbers benefit from a second feeding of liquid fertilizer after their first bloom. Modern roses—Begin to apply a dry granular fertilizer to newly planted and established roses once their buds begin to break in spring and foliage appears. Repeat again after their first bloom and then one more application should be done before the end of August, six weeks before the first frost date. Do not fertilize after this time or succulent new growth will be more susceptible to damage from the cold. A liquid application of fertilizer can be made between the second and third dry application if desired. Pruning Always cut away dead wood. It’s unattractive and harbors diseases and attracts insects. Pruning stimulates growth and the newer the growth, the more prolific the plant will be. Always prune canes that are crossing each other (remove the weaker ones), old, thick and woody canes, weak and spindly canes and suckers (undesired shoots that grow from the root stock below the bud union). Keep the center of the plant open to increase air circulation and sunlight. Prune just above the bud-eye where a leaf attaches to the stem. Cut close (1/4”) so as to not leave any stem above this leaf. It’s always best to cut to an outward-facing bud-eye to promote an open habit for the plant. When pruning to remove spent blooms always cut to the first five-leaflet leaf, avoid just snipping off the flower unless the plant is young because young plants need all the leaves they can produce to develop a strong root system. Cutting to the five-leaflet-leaf or lower on the stem on established plants results in stronger stems and often larger size and number of blooms. In our climate it’s best to stop cutting spent blooms after mid-September/early October so as to allow hips to form and slow down the plants growth and allow it to harden for winter. Petals may be pulled or left to fall to the ground at this time. Remember that a greater numer of stems per bush often results in smaller stems and blooms and often fewer blooms as well. So keep pruning, it’s good for them! Be sure to know which type of rose you’re growing so the proper pruning techniques and times can be learned. Winter Care Once you’ve enjoyed the beauty of the last rose of summer keep watering if you’re experiencing a dry autumn and listen to the weather forecasts. Modern, grafted and some shrub roses and climbers will need to be protected at their bases from cold air. Do not begin to cover or protect too early! Be sure that cold temperatures 35 degrees and lower, are here to stay before you mound soil or decomposed manure or compost at the base of your plants. Mound as high as 6-10” if possible and this will protect the most vulnerable and important part of your plant. Do not remove all at once in spring. Be patient, again, final freeze and to cultivate into the soil as a beneficial amendment. At the end of winter remove any damaged or frozen stmes until only healthy green, burgundy, or chartreuse-colored stems with creamy white centers remain. Diseases Remember to water at the soil level whenever possible and increase the air circulation by placement and pruning for the best disease prevention. Removing diseased leaves, both on the plant and ones on the soil will help prevent further disease. When selecting a new rose, pick one that is disease resistant. Garden Heights stocks many of these. To prevent fungus disease use Funginex every 7 to 10 days or consider using Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Rose & Flower Care Concentrate which controls insects, and fungus as well as fertilizes. |
|
 1605 South Big Bend Blvd Richmond Heights, Missouri 63117 314-645-SEED • fax-314-645-0121 |
|