- Image by Marlis1 via Flickr
Ornamental roses have been cultivated for centuries and the rose is probably the most recognised flower type. With hundreds of different species of rose and thousands of hybrids and cultivars, there is a wide variety of colours available.And the number increases every year as growers Roses also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from miniature to standard to climbing. Celebrated by poets and painters as one of the most beautiful and loved flowers, and much in demand for special occasions, roses are very much a part of our everyday lives. Unfortunately roses have a reputation for being a hard plant to care for. While some rose plant owners find this to be true, others take steps to find out the proper care that is needed for their roses. And the real secret is to learn the basics, and start off with hardy cultivars . That way you will feel rewarded by the results of your early efforts.
Roses do require regular maintenance to keep the plant at its best but, after learning the proper steps to take in caring for roses, helping a plant to look its best is easy. The most important thing to remember is to make sure your plants get sufficient water. All plants need water and roses are no different – your bushes will bloom and look their best if well hydated. Roses need to be provided with about one inch of water per week. You need to ensure that your watering is sufficient to send water down to deep roots, and not just a surface sprinkling. Because roses have deep roots they are capable of extracting water from the sub-soil even when the surface is dry. This helps them to tolerate dry spells. Frequent light watering, can lead to shallow roots which results in the plant suffering when the upper layer of soil dries out.
Fertilizing with restraint is also essential for good rose care. Most species of roses are capable of going years without feeding when they are planted in good soil. Plants feed on nutrients that are produced by organisms living in the soil. By over using man-made fertilizer you can smother those beneficial bugs. Plus, your plants can become dependant on fertilizers forcing you to constantly provide them. Instead, owners can apply a slow-release fertilizer to the soil just as the plant is coming out of its dormancy period in early spring. You can also apply a small bit of fertilizer after the blooms go away and the plant is storing up energy for next season. But don’t fertilize after midsummer. Roses do well with both inorganic and organic fertilizers although organic fertilizer materials can be digested by the helpful bacteria and fungus within the soil resulting in your soil permanently becoming more fertile. The most effective combination of inorganic fertilizer is 5-10-5 or 4-8-4.
Rose pruning is usually done in the spring, after the plant has been dormant for the winter. At this stage pruning is done to remove the dead, broken, or diseased wood from the plant. This helps to provide the plant with space for the air to circulate as well as keeping it healthy. Pruning is also done to shape the rose plant. The next stage of pruning occurs after the plant has bloomed. Pruning the actual flowers themselves encourages growth and by removing the flower buds it helps a new plant get established.
Caring for roses , as for any plants in your garden,does take time and commitment. Mainly it involves being on the lookout for the fungi and insects that target roses and if you are watchful and act quickly, your roses stand a much better chance. But, there is nothing better then to be able to display your hard work for all to see. The rewards of being able to show off these gorgeous creations right on your front lawn are priceless. And healthy cut roses make a great show inside as well. Roses are dramatic and extravagant and it is easy and rewarding to design your garden around groupings or different types and shapes.
