Rose Planting And Care
Roses are a
beautiful addition to the garden. With
proper selection and care, they can be an
easy addition as well. And with so many
types to choose from, they can be used in
virtually any garden application. There are
tea roses that have long stems, floribunda
roses that are bushier, tree roses, climbing
roses, and even ground covers. These all are
either patented, where the breeder receives
a royalty, or non-patented.
For best growth and bloom
production, locate roses where they receive
at least 6 – 8 hours of sun per day and
where they can receive good air circulation.
A good rule of thumb is to plant at least
three feet from any walls, structures,
trees, shrubs and one another.
Next, prepare the planting
hole. Dig a hole generous in width, usually
twice the width and depth of the container.
When planting, keep the bud union above the
soil level. The bud union is the knot on the
main stem where the hybrid rose has been
grafted to a vigorous rootstock to give the
plant more strength. So, backfill the hole
with Greenworld Mulch and soil at a 1:1
ratio until the hole is the correct depth.
This will ensure good drainage, and soil and
nutrient content for the new roots. Then
work into the soil in the bottom of the
holeĽ cup each of First Step, blood meal,
bone meal and Epsom Salts.
Gently remove the rose from
its container by slightly moistening the
soil in the container to help the root ball
hold together as you remove it and set it in
the hole. Fill the around the root ball with
the mulch/soil mixture about half way, water
well and pack down, then finish filling the
hole.
Once the roses have leafed
out in spring and if you have a problem with
powdery mildew, aphids or spider mites, we
recommend that roses be treated every 7 to
10 days with Rose DefenseTM, an organic
product containing Neem tree seed oil,
controls all three rose problems, powdery
mildew, spider mites and aphids.
After the rose is
established, feed it once a month. Note:
during the hot summer weather cut the amount
of fertilizer in half. We recommend Magnum
Grow Rose Food. This fertilizer was
developed by the American Rose Society and
is a fabulous slow release fertilizer.
A light pruning is done in
September to encourage fall blooms. In
January a full pruning is done, which
includes removing all leaves. Our separate
handout details how this pruning is done. A
full pruning forces the plant into dormancy
and leads to renewed growth.
Water slowly and deeply once
a week during times of vigorous growth and
twice a month during the winter.
