Roses

Roses

Overall Care & Planting

Would a garden be complete without a rose or two? We think not! There are many different types and sizes of roses available. Roses are hardy and will flourish in a wide range of conditions, but they do have a few basic requirements you need to consider before you plant:

Sun: Roses need at least 6-8 hours of sun
Soil: Roses prefer rich, loamy soil
Drainage: Roses cannot stand in water, even during the winter when they are dormant
Spraying: Roses require a regular spraying schedule to flourish in this area. Although there are disease resistant varieties, it is still a good idea to spray regularly, especially for disease such as 'black spot'.
Companion Planting: Roses prefer their own space, without competition.

How Do I Plant My Roses?

Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot. This is an important step, don't skimp on the size of your planting hole.
Prepare your soil by adding a soil amendment such as Back to Nature® or Hu-More Mulch Master. Peat moss is also a good additive for your rose bed.
Remove the rose carefully from the container so as not to disturb the root ball. If your rose is in a ready-to-plant box, try not to disturb its' roots as well.
Place the plant in the hole with the graft slightly above ground level. If the hole is too deep you may fill it with your soil mixture, and tamp lightly to remove any air pockets.
Fill the hole about two-thirds full with soil mixture and tamp firmly. Fill with water and let the water soak in. Fill the rest of the hole, tamping as you fill.
Water thoroughly after hole is filled.
Mulch around the base with 2-4 inches of mulch. Any type of mulch will do fine. We prefer shredded cedar or cypress. It doesn't float like some of the bark mulches and we think it mats better. However, we have many different types of mulch to chose from.
If you are planting bare root roses, it is a good idea to mist the canes as often as possible to get them started. Once you have leaves coming on discontinue the misting.

How should I water my roses? How often?

Remember...roses need good drainage. The roots should never sit in water. The best way to water is the drip method; the bed is soaked slowly and thoroughly with a small flow of water. It’s not a good idea to water from above, this only promotes disease. How often? This all depends on the environment. The best rule of thumb is to dig down about an inch or so in your rose bed. If you don’t feel any moisture, it’s time to water.

What about fertilizer?

Apply a balanced fertilizer to each plant. Apply the fertilizer in a circle around the ‘drip line’ of your plant. Below is a ‘fertilizing checklist’.

Fertilize when plants are in full leaf.
Fertilize again after the first bloom.
Fertilize 6 weeks before the anticipated first frost (but usually not after September 15).
For proper hardening of canes for winter, do not fertilize in the fall.

Should I prune my roses? When? How?

Yes, you should prune your roses to promote health and vigor. Pruning gives the plant shape, style and removes unproductive wood while providing good air circulation.

The best time to prune is before new growth appears in the spring, sometime after the last killing frost. Fall pruning is necessary only when plants are extremely tall, to prevent wind damage during the winter. When pruning, a 2– inch pruning shear gives the best results. Make sure you get clean cuts, and that your shears are sharp. Remember to properly clean your pruners prior and after use.

Pruning Tips

Trim twiggy top growth by about a third so you can see the structure of your plant.
Take out dead wood, canes that cross the center of the bush, and any shoots (suckers) growing below the bud union.
Example of a correct cut. Make sure your pruners are sharp so you get a clean cut.
Shape the plant by removing some canes. You are safe in cutting back to 5-10 canes.
Prune back the primary canes. You can remove as much as 2/3 of its overall height. English roses & Grandifloras are pruned to about 1/2 their original height.

Note: Climbing roses require more care when pruning. Always consult with a rose specialist before pruning your climbers.

How do I get my roses ready for winter?

Strong, healthy roses are most resistant to winter damage. Leave the last blooms in the fall on the plant to form hips. This will slow growth and help them go dormant. Rake off and remove all leaves from the rose bed to prevent disease.

Now is a good time to spray with a dormant oil to get rid of diseases that may return in the spring. We also suggest covering the plant with about 6-12 inches of mulch. A tree rose is a little different; you actually need to lay the rose down and cover the top, trunk and roots with soil and mulch.

Even during the winter months your roses need water to keep them healthy and prevent them from drying out. If there is no rain or snow for more than a few weeks, you should check your rose beds, and probably plan to water.

Can you tell me about the types of roses?

Hybrid Teas: These are the most popular type of rose. They are tall and stately with large, well-formed blooms. They do however require a little more knowledge on pruning techniques and possibly a more vigorous spraying schedule.
Floribundas: This is now the second largest class of roses. They are lower growing than hybrid teas, and bloom heavily. These roses are great for cutting.
English: The English rose is a cross between old and modern roses. They have a charming old-fashioned form and a rich fragrance.
Climbers: These roses are easy to grow and vigorous. They will bloom heavily for years, climbing on a trellis or fence. They do need special care when pruning.

Antique: The antique rose is simply the old-fashioned rose. Typically these are a shrub rose, with a wonderful full fragrance.

Problem	Description	Solution
Blackspot	Leaves have black spots, turn yellow and fall off	Pick off isolated leaves, spray with a fungicide.*
Aphids	Very small insects green or black, mostly on the underside of leaves	Hose aphids off, control with insecticide.*
Spider Mites	Leaves turn yellow, dry out, fall off. Tiny webs on plant.	Hose plant down, apply miticide.*
Thrips	Buds turn brown & do not open or are distorted	Control with dust or spray.* Directly spray into opening buds.
Mildew	Leaves are distorted & covered with a white substance.	Spray with fungicide. * Remove diseased leaves.
Yellow Leaves	Yellowing leaves that fall off; if they have black spots see blackspot above.	Drainage problem: add amendments weather problems; just wait it out.

A Special Note

Roses require their owners to be detectives. Early detection is the best prevention at keeping disease and insects at bay. We recommend a regular spraying program for your roses. This includes a fungicide and insecticide schedule.


	Cohlmia's InteriorScape Professionals 1502 S. Cincinnati Place Tulsa, OK 74119 Ph. 918-582-5572 Fax: 918-582-5595