Simple Steps to Grow Beautiful Roses
You would love to have roses, but you've probably heard that they're difficult to grow. This is not necessarily true. With a few simple steps, you can grow beautiful and healthy roses.
First, it is important to choose the ideal location for your new rose bushes. You will need to select a sunny area as roses grow best in full sun, but will do well anyplace that receives at least six hours of direct sun light per day. Also, avoid a spot too close to any trees as this will put the rose in competition with tree for nutrients. Allow for good circulation around each plant to help prevent disease and insect infestation.
Rose plants come in two types, bare root plants and container grown. The bare root roses may require a little extra work and care in planting but otherwise the two types are treated the same once established. When working with bare root roses, remove any sprouts and cut stems back to about eight or ten inches. This will result in a stronger plant. Cut off any broken roots. Water the soil well, and cover the entire plant with mulch for about two weeks. This will protect the plant as it establishes itself in its new home.
Commercial fertilizers, except for plant starter, should not be used when roses are initially planted. Once the plants are established and growing well, fertilizer may be raked into the surface of the soil and followed by a thorough watering if the ground is dry.
Keeping Your Roses Happy
Keep the soil around your roses damp Even though roses need good drainage, they also require a lot of water during the growing season. Remember to mulch your plants to help keep them moist. Water the flowers in the early morning in order to give the rose bush time to dry and help to reduce diseases. Watering the plant through the soil is best but a regular spraying of the leaves will help prevent disease and insect infestation. Just make sure this is also done early enough in the day to allow the plant to dry.
Roses can be susceptible to a number of diseases and insects. Japanese beetles and aphids can cause serious problems for your roses as can any signs of disease such as black spot or powdery mildew. It's a good idea to practice some preventive medicine and spray or dust on a regular schedule from the time the first leaves start to appear.
Roses also need pruning during dormancy to help keep them in good condition. Removing any dead branches and leaving the straight canes will result in larger blooms. After pruning, remove all the dead foliage and debris from the ground around the plant; to help avoid problems with insects and diseases
Growing roses may not be for everyone, as they do take a little extra work and care compared to other garden plants. But if you have the time and patience you will be rewarded with what many consider to be beauty unsurpassed by anything else on earth, the rose.
