The rose is the most beautiful flower in the world, as least in my opinion and also in the opinion of hundreds of thousands of others around the world. Anyone can learn how to grow roses with a little instruction.
Growing roses is not as difficult as some make it seem and the amazing blooms that result from your effort are extremely rewarding. All you need is a desire to grow these beautiful flowers and some basic knowledge of gardening.
As you move forward, it would be wise to learn a little more about rose gardening in particular. Educate yourself to the specific needs of roses, which must be met in order for them flourish.
This article will give you a brief overview of five key steps.
First, rose plants require sunlight – at least six hours of unfiltered sunlight every day. Even if the planting instructions state that a particular species will do well in the shade, they will still need a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight to be at their best.
The second is well-prepared soil. Roses require nutrient-rich, well-turned soil, which means that you must take the time to prepare it properly. Then, once the roses are planted and begin to grow, they must be fed at regular intervals to keep them happy and healthy.
Check with your local nursery for recommendations. Preparation of the soil and the nutrients that must be added will vary depending on the climate and soil conditions of your area. I highly recommend that you use organic products as much as possible.
The third is proper watering. For the roots to grow deep, the plants must be soaked at least once a week. The frequency will vary depending on your climate, so check with an expert.
Frequent, shallow watering will cause the roots to stay near the surface, making them more susceptible to damage when there are high temperatures and extended dry spells.
Fourth – there is no doubt that you will have to deal with pests from time to time. Rose bushes are susceptible to a number of damaging insects – rose midge larva, rose cane borer, thrips, Japanese beetles, stem girders, aphids, rose slugs, mites, caterpillars, scale insects, and rose chafers.
Pests are annoying, but can be controlled. So, if you want to protect your plants, you must take care of the problems as quickly as possible, whatever they are. Once you know the type of bug you are dealing with, you will usually have several options for treating them.
If there is only an occasional bug, you can try removing them and the entire leaf on which they are found and destroy everything. However, you must watch the plants closely after that to see if you solved the problem. It is easy to miss eggs that have already been laid on the underside of neighboring leaves.
If you hate pesticides and toxic chemicals as much as I do, you can always try using the natural enemies of the pests. Lady bugs and some types of wasps (although not a favorite of mine) eat pests that can damage rose bushes.
Check with your local garden center to see if this is an option for you when dealing with the type of pests that you have found. You may also be able to find information Online.
Sometimes you are forced to resort to using the synthetic or natural chemicals to help you get rid of the pests. Always follow the directions carefully when applying any type of chemicals, which can be harmful to people and pets if used improperly.
And finally, number five. Everyone knows that roses must be pruned. This is a critical step to have full-blooming plants. For the majority of rose plant it is quite easy if you have heavy-duty gloves and good pruning shears.
Proper pruning in the spring before the blooming season begins is the recommended time for full pruning. It is important to remove dead twigs and leaves to allow for proper air ventilation and new growth. Pruning can also be used to shape the bush and train it to grow the way you want it to grow.
Cutting the roses as they bloom is part of the ongoing pruning process. I love the fact that I am supposed to cut my roses because there is nothing quite as lovely as fresh roses in the home. If the flowers are allowed to wither on the vine, the rose will set seed and stop producing new flower shoots.
Many gardeners believe that a garden is incomplete without one or several rose bushes, and I am one who agrees with that opinion. There are so many varieties it should not be difficult to find at least one or two that suit your preferences in color, shape and even fragrance.
If you take the time to learn how to grow roses correctly, your effort will be rewarded with amazing flowers that will beautify your garden from early spring until the cold sets in, and grace your home with elegance for years to come – two wonderful gifts that you should definitely give yourself.