Groomed Home Smarter Living
The queen of flowers deserves some attention in order to obtain vigorous and beautiful flowering.
Here are nine tips to help you take care of your roses.
1. Pick your rose
When it comes to roses, you’ll have to make your choice on a proven variety.
Check if they have received awards, either nationally, internationally, or in specific competitions. Certified ADR roses are also great picks.
2. The right rootstock
Hybrid roses are mostly grafted onto a rootstock ideally suited to any terrain. In the case of specific soils, ones that are very acidic or very dense, it’s better to choose while taking into account these parameters:
- Rosa laxa is the most widely available, especially for calcareous soils and dense ones.
- Rosa multiflora will work well in low-limestone soils and lukewarm climates.
- Rosa canina fits very well in calcareous soils, gravel, and even near the sea.
3. Choosing a strong location
Roses appreciate very open areas. Choose a, very sunny and airy area with a deep and rich soil.
If you want a climber, keep a gap between the mesh and the wall to encourage ventilation and prevent overheating. Diseases will be better countered that way.
Also avoid placing varieties sensitive to mildew towards the sunset.
4. The right time to plant
The best time to plant roses is between the end of October (after leaves have fallen), and mid-April (before re-growth). Choose bare roots as they are cheaper.
From April to October, prefer vegetation and plants in containers.
5. Fertilize
Every year in the fall add some Patentkali (rich in potassium and magnesium) and during the spring special rose fertilizers naturally rich in magnesium.
Avoid pine-base mulch, and prefer the cocoa pods, sequins or good compost. Also avoid the use of ground cover plants.
6. Effective planting
Unless you’re completely re-hauling the soil, never replace a rose with another rose.
Dig a deep hole (about 2 feet down), and break if need be the bottom.
Mix the original soil to organic manure, and glassful of crushed horn. If necessary, add a dose of root stimulant.
Recap with this mixture while being careful to bury only the rootstock.
7. Maintenance
Water the plants until full recovery. In case of a drought, always water around the foot of the plant to prevent the spread of fungal diseases.
Remove dead flowers by shortening the stem above the first leaf with five leaflets to ensure a good reflowering.
8. Fighting against pests and diseases
Above all, make sure the foliage of your roses is always well ventilated. Keep them to a decent size with no foliage competition. This will prevent many diseases.
Also remove the outer leaves with spots as soon as possible, and constantly remove diseased leaves that have fallen to the ground.
In terms of insects, ladybugs will be powerful additions to any garden. Under heavy attack from aphids, use a solution of organic soap containing limonene.
9. Beautifully cut flowers
If you want beautiful flowers to cut, do not hesitate to remove the sides in favor of a single central flower.
Feed and water your roses in the summer to get a staged production.
