Thursday 24 July 2008

Tips and Information For Growing Roses

There are a few tips and information about growing roses to be considered and a few requirements to optimize the growth of your roses. Generally speaking, however, roses are very versatile and can withstand harsh conditions and yet thrive. The basic fundamentals of getting the most out of your roses is to consider: the soil, the exposure, location, feeding, mulching, and pruning. If you put just a tad bit of attention to each of these facets and follow our tips for growing roses, then your roses will be a hit all though out the spring and summer without missing a beat.

Sun Requirements: Roses need at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Early morning sun is the best to protect against mildew. Although roses can go with less sun, they usually will not survive as long and will have fewer and smaller blooms.

Soil Requirements: Roses prefer loamy soil with a high-humus content. Working compost, peat moss, leaf mold and well-rotted manure into the soil will provide them with a rich environment. The soil can be fertilized additionally with bone meal and super-phosphate. Soil with a pH of 6.5 is best. PH meters are available to test your soils acidity level. Roses must have good drainage. Avoid planting in low areas where water collects. Roses do not do well in standing water and other overly saturated regions. If your soil is especially heavy, add sand for drainage.

Location and/or Containers: Plant roses at least 18-24" away from buildings. Roses must have air circulation surrounding them. This will minimize any mildew from forming. They should also not be planted too near larger plants. Larger plants can carry away nutrients, water, and food and keep the roses from extracting the most from the soil. For smaller roses, you can plant them in a container or a window box to show them off in different ways. Window boxes are a unique way to show off roses that can draw remarks from the neighbors.

Feeding: After roses are in full leaf, apply a balanced fertilizer. We recommend using a food specifically designed for roses. Fertilize again after the first bloom and once more 6 weeks before the first fall frost. These are the smallest feeding recommendation. A few more times during the growing season, however, usually helps the roses fill out more.

Mulching: Mulch provides many benefits to roses. Add a layer 2 to 3 inches thick to your rose bed to keep the moisture in and to help keep the weeds away. This tip for growing roses is surprisingly effective and you'll notice quite a difference when they begin to bloom.

Pruning: Pruning roses is vital in their continued success. The first step in pruning roses is to remove any dead, dying, damaged, diseased, weak or thin canes. Prune the branches back as far as the crown. Any shoot growing from below the graft is called a sucker and should be removed. Pruning an already healthy rose is an important part of the process. Cutting a bloom not only allows you to enjoy it's beauty and scent, it helps shape the rose. Cut the flower stem no shorter than just above the first five-leaflet leaf below the flower you are removing. Also, you will need to leave at least two five-leaflet leaves above to point of the previous cut. It's best to cut a rose at a 45 degree angle roughly 1/4 of an inch from the outside bud. This seems complicated, but when you go to prune it will make perfect sense.

Roses are an exceptionally versatile, useful, and beautiful landscape plant. By following some basic tips and advice on growing roses and how to plant them, you will be on your way to years full of beautiful roses.



By Matthew Buquoi



Matt Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, a window box company that specializes in affordable no rot window boxes. His window boxes have been featured in many cottage and cape cod style homes showing off an array of beautiful flowers. These no rot window boxes can be made custom and fast anywhere in the country.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Buquoi

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