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Needham's Nursery 12425 Hwy 70 Mt. Juliet, TN (615) 754-7076 -Caring For Your Roses-
Roses have long been hailed as a symbol of beauty and
love. Yet, one of the biggest myths surrounding roses lies in their care and
that they are hard to maintain. Hopefully, the following information will help
keep your roses looking great during the growing season, and surviving the
winters with ease here in Tennessee.
Where to plant roses
Roses like
sunny areas (at least 6-8 hours daily) preferably morning until mid-afternoon
sun and a well-drained area.
Soil Preparation
Soil preparation is
extremely important. Roses do well in loose, loamy, well drained soil with a
slightly acidic pH (6-7 pH). To determine this you will need to perform a soil
test (We have kits available at the Nursery) or contact the Agricultural
Extension Service Office in your area for more info.
Amending (Mixing into the soil) soil with peat moss, compost, and bone
meal will provide the needed nutrients and also promote good drainage. The soil
should be amended in this manner at least 50% due to the clay nature of the
area.
Fertilization
Fertilizing your roses
should begin in early spring and end in early fall. A liquid or ready-mix
fertilizer tend to get to the plants root system quicker, but require more
frequent applications throughout the season. A granular fertilizer takes longer
to break down and get to the root system making the number of applications
fewer. The type of fertilizer you use will depend on how often you plan on
tending to the needs of your roses. Always read the label concerning the proper
amount of fertilizer needed to keep your roses happy & healthy.
Planting Roses
The hole dug
should be at least twice the width of the root system, yet not quite as deep.
Amend the soil as mentioned earlier and place some of this mixture into the
bottom of your hole. Slightly loosen the root system as you place the root
system of the rose into the hole. Make sure ½” of the root system is above
the ground. Fill around the rose
with the amended soil mixture, leaving the top ½” of the root system
uncovered. Cover the top ½” with 2-3” of mulch to help retain soil
moisture, and protect the roots from the sunlight. Water in well.
Watering
This depends
on how quickly the water is evaporating from the flower bed. Minimum watering
requirements on roses tend to be 1-2 times per week in the Spring, 2-3 times per
week during the Summer, and 1-2 times per week in the Fall. Roses are dormant
during the Winter months, so Mother Nature tends to supply the needed water to
them. Try to always water in the early morning, otherwise when you have the
time. Do not water the leaves!
Pruning
Begin pruning your roses
in early Spring. This is when you give your roses their hardest pruning. Prune
down to 6-12 inches from the base (knot) of the rose. Cut all branches at a 45°
angle, this will allow for collected water to run off the tip of the cane. To
reduce diseases and insects, seal any fresh cut larger than ½” in diameter
with white school glue. Once a week during the growing season, trim off the dead
blooms. This will invigorate new growth and fresh blooms. How do you prune? Some
folks use the 5 Leaf method- Count down 5 leaves to an outward facing leaf and
trim ¼” above the leaf. Other
folks simply prune a few inches below the spent blooms. Either way the cut needs
to be ¼” above an outward facing leaf bud.
Insects and Diseases
Roses need a little more help than your
average shrub when it comes to fending off the more destructive members of
the Insect and Fungi Kingdoms.Fungi such as
Black Spot and
Powdery Mildew can be
controlled and prevented by spraying fungicides weekly (We have a large
selection of effective fungicides for your needs). Insects can also wreak havoc
upon these helpless roses if left unattended, but if you spray weekly with
insecticide to eliminate the insects you should have no problems at all.
You’ll want to check on your roses 2-3 times a week to keep them at their
absolute greatest.
Winter Protection
Before the cold weather
sets in, you will want to pile an additional 6-12 inches of mulch upon the top
of the roses root ball. This will keep the heart of the plant insulated from the
cold. When spring rolls back around remove the excess mulch.
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