Monday, May 31, 2010

Step by Step rose planting.


Step by Step rose planting.



Site: good drainage, and 4-5 hours of sun.

First of all, it is very important to choose a sunny area of the garden that gets at least 4 to 5 hours of sun for your rose. Do not crowd your rose with other trees and plants. Some roses, such as climbers and shrubs, don’t mind company, but most like to mix with other roses or other non-invasive plants. If you’re replacing an older rose bush, it is important to remove an 18 cubic inch area of soil and replace it with fresh soil. A newly planted rose doesn’t like to grow in the same soil that an older rose bush has been in. Picky darn thing isn’t it!

Step-by-Step Rose Planting:

Here are the basics:

1) Dig a hole, slightly larger than the pot size or root system of your
rose bush.

2) Add a small handful of bonemeal to the planting hole. Spade in
some compost or peatmoss to loosen the soil. Mix the soil you
took out of the hole with more compost or peat moss.

3) Remove the rose from the pot. Carefully place in the hole and
shovel the extra soil around the new plant. Plant the rose with
the crown slightly deeper than the original soil. The crown or bud
union should be about 1 inch under the soil

4) Gently firm the rose into its new home and water well.

5) Stand back and watch it grow!

Important note!! NEVER fertilize a new rose bush with anything
other than bonemeal.

Planting Your Rose Bush:

A little more detail:

If you have received bare-root bushes from a mail order nursery or have some healed in from winter storage you may want to soak them in a bucket of water for a few hours before planting. If you have purchased your roses in containers, you do not have to pre-soak them before planting.

Dig a hole large enough for the root mass and loosen the bottom of the hole. Depending on your soil type, you may want to spade some compost into the hole along with a sprinkle of bone meal. Bone meal is a slow acting source of Phosphorus and promotes healthy root growth. I like to mix the soil from the hole with some additional compost and another light sprinkle of bone meal.

Place the rose in the hole spreading the roots slightly. I plant mine with the bud union (crown) slightly below the soil level (about 1-2 inches after a couple years of mulching). Refill the hole and make sure the soil settles around the roots of your plant, then finish filling the hole. Just before putting the final couple inches of soil over the roots, water your new plant and let it drain before the final topping. I do a little dance around each of my new roses, just to firm the soil lightly and also because it’s fun. Nothing thrills me more than seeing a newly planted rose bush. Ohhh the excitement of what’s to come!

Planting Depth Of Roses:

Rose growers will argue until they’re blue in the face about the correct planting depth for roses, but it really depends on the climate you live in. If you live in a colder area, plant a bit deeper and consult with the people growing roses in your area. If you’re buying own-root type roses, you should plant them about 1 inch deeper than their potted level. Again, this varies according to climate. I’m told that sun on the crown of ageing roses will help promote basal breaks from the bud union. I wonder if any significant studies have been done on this issue. Some of my roses produce wonderful basal breaks from well below the soil level, others do not. It seems to reflect more on the variety of the rose than anything else.


Selecting a site for rose Gardening

Selecting a site for rose Gardening


Roses prefer a rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic (pH between 6.0 - 6.5). They like plenty of water and sun -- at least eight to 10 hours -- and grow best when protected from harsh wind and cold.

So, when selecting a site for your rose garden, look for spots that receive plenty of sun. If you have a choice between morning or afternoon sun, select morning. (Morning sun evaporates dew quickly - keeping leaves dry and fungal diseases at bay.) Note when the shade comes around and for how long. Really get a feel for the amount of sunlight the area receives and the type of soil it has. Roses are very tolerant of different soil conditions, but will thrive in garden soil that is improved with ample amounts of organic matter, such as compost, peat moss or aged animal manures.

While it's awfully tempting to rush out and begin planting right away, it's a good idea to take a moment and plan your attack. Spend some time sketching out what will go where, and avoid growing roses under gutters or eaves where falling snow or ice can damage tender canes. If you're interested, Martha Stewart gives her version of the ultimate rose garden here.

In addition to plenty of light, try and give your roses plenty of room. Don't plant them too closely together. Giving them space will allow air to circulate and will protect them from fungal diseases that thrive on moisture.

Also, figure out how you will water your roses. Is the spot with the most light close to water? Or will you have to lug it? Are sprinklers a possibility? You may have to install underground drip or a sprinkler system to ensure your roses are healthy. Healthy roses means plants that will bloom repeatedly.

Roses will survive with a minimum amount of water, but will flourish when grown in well-draining soils with ample amounts of moisture. Most importantly water slowly and deeply. A schedule of two deep waterings per week is far better than several light waterings, which will encourage shallow roots that are easily damaged and cannot adequately anchor the plant.


When possible, water on bright sunny mornings, especially if using overhead sprinklers. This will give the foliage time to dry out before evening, thus preventing many plant diseases. Fungal spores are especially prevalent in spring and fall when nights are cool and days are warm. If the leaves are allowed to remain wet through the night, disease can spread rapidly.

Tip: A 2 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch will reduce the need for watering by slowing down soil moisture evaporation.

Roses grown in containers will require more frequent watering because potting mixes are often lighter than garden soil and the amount of soil around the plant is limited by the size of the pot. Watering container-grown roses once a day or even twice daily may be necessary, especially if they are located in a sunny location and the weather turns hot.

Once you've selected your site, record how well your garden does and how you can improve things in the coming years of cultivation. Keep notes about how much your watering, what sort of fertilizer you've used and how your roses have done for the year (see Keeping a Garden Journal). Tracking such things will ensure that your roses will improve each year as you learn from mistakes and find out what works and what doesn't.

Rose Plantation Tips – Steps


Rose Plantation Tips – Steps


When many people think of gardening, their thoughts turn first to roses, and there is no wonder. Your rose garden could be patterned, even including standard sized rose bushes with miniatures in between, and colors could alternate. Roses are loved by majority of the people; and rose growing too.

An important aspect of rose gardening is pruning. Rose gardening involves picking and preparing a good site and bed for plantation. Roses are thirsty

Although roses have a reputation of being difficult to grow and keep, rose gardening is actually very simple and rewarding. But before a rose becomes a bloom that has the power over many, it has to begin somewhere as a plain and innocent bud, unnoticed and enjoying its life along with the other buds. A red rose (often held in a hand) is also a symbol of socialism or social democracy; it is also used as a symbol by the British and Irish Labour Parties, as well as by the French, Spanish (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party), Portuguese, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Brazilian, Dutch (Partij van de Arbeid) and European socialist parties.

Some Gardening Tools:

-Choose a garden rake with sharp, closely spaced metal tines rather than a leaf rake with widely spaced tines.
-Thorns will be a problem when you plant and prune, so don't forget to buy a good pair of gardening gloves.
-Look for a strong rake with steel tines for smoothing the garden, and a high quality leaf rake for removing leaves and other debris.
-Shears generally fall into two categories, only one of which should be used in rose gardening.
-It is a good idea to invest in a quality pair of leather gardening gloves, as these will be more protective, and more long lasting.

Some Tips For Rose Gardening:

- It would be good to research on the needs of the variety of rose that you have chosen.
- Preparing your garden properly before planting roses can make a huge difference to how well they thrive.
- The first thing you must realize in regards to organic gardening is that nature is constantly trying to maintain a balance, and anything we do to disrupt it makes the job that much harder.
- Be prepared ahead of time and your planting job and rose maintenance will be much easier.
Your first step in any garden project is to plan, and rose gardening is no exception.
Roses growing environment should also be considered by a gardener.

Some Rose Gardening Tips Resources:

- Sometimes a book may contain just one new idea you've never heard before, but that one tip may make a big difference to the success of your rose garden.
- Rose gardening books are also a great way to choose the breed of rose you think would look perfect in your garden, or may even give you some clever ideas for designing your rose garden.
- The Internet contains discussion forums on almost any topic, including rose gardening.
- While you could visit your local library and index books, magazines, and other periodicals, the Internet is now the information superhighway, where you are guaranteed to find information related to your search on gardening help.
- There are several sites around the world dedicated to rose gardening, and these collect articles, web blogs, and other various information on roses, cultivation of the garden, and various problems that may arise.

Some Rose Variety:

-Pimpinellifolia roses are renowned for their hardiness, and their attractive foliage and lovely blooms make them a great choice for the beginning rose enthusiast or the experienced gardener.
-The Double Knockout boasts an extended bloom period that can stretch into all four seasons.
-The setigera rose has been used in breeding programs to create many very hardy varieties of climbing roses, most notably the crosses with the Noisettes and Gallicas varieties.


Rose Growing Steps

When many people think of gardening, their thoughts turn first to roses, and there is no wonder. Your rose garden could be patterned, even including standard sized rose bushes with miniatures in between, and colors could alternate. Roses are loved by majority of the people; and rose growing too.


An important aspect of rose gardening is pruning. Rose gardening involves picking and preparing a good site and bed for plantation. Roses are thirsty


Although roses have a reputation of being difficult to grow and keep, rose gardening is actually very simple and rewarding. But before a rose becomes a bloom that has the power over many, it has to begin somewhere as a plain and innocent bud, unnoticed and enjoying its life along with the other buds. A red rose (often held in a hand) is also a symbol of socialism or social democracy; it is also used as a symbol by the British and Irish Labour Parties, as well as by the French, Spanish (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party), Portuguese, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Brazilian, Dutch (Partij van de Arbeid) and European socialist parties.


Some Gardening Tools:


-Choose a garden rake with sharp, closely spaced metal tines rather than a leaf rake with widely spaced tines.

-Thorns will be a problem when you plant and prune, so don’t forget to buy a good pair of gardening gloves.

-Look for a strong rake with steel tines for smoothing the garden, and a high quality leaf rake for removing leaves and other debris.

-Shears generally fall into two categories, only one of which should be used in rose gardening.

-It is a good idea to invest in a quality pair of leather gardening gloves, as these will be more protective, and more long lasting.


Some Tips For Rose Gardening:


- It would be good to research on the needs of the variety of rose that you have chosen.

- Preparing your garden properly before planting roses can make a huge difference to how well they thrive.

- The first thing you must realize in regards to organic gardening is that nature is constantly trying to maintain a balance, and anything we do to disrupt it makes the job that much harder.

- Be prepared ahead of time and your planting job and rose maintenance will be much easier.

Your first step in any garden project is to plan, and rose gardening is no exception.

Roses growing environment should also be considered by a gardener.


Some Rose Gardening Tips Resources:


- Sometimes a book may contain just one new idea you’ve never heard before, but that one tip may make a big difference to the success of your rose garden.

- Rose gardening books are also a great way to choose the breed of rose you think would look perfect in your garden, or may even give you some clever ideas for designing your rose garden.

- The Internet contains discussion forums on almost any topic, including rose gardening.

- While you could visit your local library and index books, magazines, and other periodicals, the Internet is now the information superhighway, where you are guaranteed to find information related to your search on gardening help.

- There are several sites around the world dedicated to rose gardening, and these collect articles, web blogs, and other various information on roses, cultivation of the garden, and various problems that may arise.


Some Rose Variety
:


-Pimpinellifolia roses are renowned for their hardiness, and their attractive foliage and lovely blooms make them a great choice for the beginning rose enthusiast or the experienced gardener.

-The Double Knockout boasts an extended bloom period that can stretch into all four seasons.

-The setigera rose has been used in breeding programs to create many very hardy varieties of climbing roses, most notably the crosses with the Noisettes and Gallicas varieties.


Rose Gardening Resources


Rose Gardening Resources


Enjoy these links to sites with good rose gardening and other general gardening information.


Clean Air Gardening Supply
Features environmentally friendly lawn and garden supplies including manual reel mowers, compost bins, container garden planters, garden tools and more.

Garden Frog
Daily updated links to the best gardening articles on the web.

Our Rose Garden
Comprehensive rose information from the University of Illinois Extension.

Roses
Comprehensive rose information from the best online rose sites.



Rose Page
Great list of frequently asked questions to common rose gardening issues.

Olympia Rose Society
A non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and education of the National Flower of the United States; the Rose.

San Francisco Rose Society
A non-profit rose organization in San Francisco, California.

Maine Rose Society
Members, from all walks of life, enjoy getting together once a month to talk about roses, answer each other’s questions, and share our passion.

Tri State Rose Society of Chattanooga
The purpose of the society is to encourage and create interest in the growing of roses, and to foster a better understanding of their cultivation.

Nashville Rose Society
A non-profit organization in Nashville dedicated to roses.

Fraser Pacific Rose Society
British Columbian society to encourage, promote and enjoy growing roses.

Hybridizing Roses
Great collection of articles on how and why to hybridize roses, along with tips and techniques.

CybeRose Garden
All about roses and other bulbs.

Ashdown Roses
Ashdown Roses is a South Carolina nursery created by rose lovers for rose lovers.

Milwaukee Rose Society
Creating a welcoming environment that will enable you to grow beautiful gorgeous roses in Wisconsin.

Buck Rose Website
Dr. Griffith Buck developed many varieties of hardy, fragrant, and beautiful roses during his time at Iowa State University.

Wichita Rose Society
Wichita Rose Society of Kansas is an affiliate of the American Rose Society and was founded in 1949.

Roses of Yesterday and Today
Sells antique and modern varieties of roses.

Roses of Excellence
A great collection of rose photographs, articles and information on hybridizing.

Vintage Bloomers
As wildly individual as those that grow them, there are Old Garden Roses to suit virtually every climate, every garden, every personality.

Premier Roses.com
Your one-stop for roses!

A Woodland Rose Garden
You will find here a private garden full of photos, rose lore, and rose culture.

Growing Beans
Learn how to grow beans in your garden.

Northern Gardening
Northern Gardening is a practical resource for all gardeners--especially those in a cold climate.

Amish Gourds
A family owned and environmentally friendly company with a variety of great gourd products. An excellent site offering dried gourds for crafts and unique gourd birdhouses.

Alaska Bountea
Compost tea to revitalize your soil and garden.

Gardening For All Seasons
Your guide to perfect gardening with articles and tips for seasoned and novice gardeners from planning to composting, your local weather, special features, house plants and Monthly gardening calendar. Recipes.

Vegetable Gardening
Learn how to grow your own vegetables at home. Great tips!


Bird Bath and Beyond
Bird Bath and Beyond has what you need to keep the wild birds in your area healthy and thriving.

Garden Management System
Gardening software to help you grow your garden.

Orchid Photos
Stunning orchid photos from AOS judging and private collections.

GreenCoast Hydroponics
Online hydroponic retail store with tons of free information and low prices. Makes hydroponic growing easy for beginners.

Greywater Irrigation
Learn about using greywater, and how to treat it to use for irrigation.

Mesoamerica Information at AztecGardens.com
A site about the foods, plants, and cultures of Mesoamerica. Learn about pre-Hispanic Mexico with this informational site for teachers, students, and ethno botanists.

Clivus Multrum composting toilets
Offering odor-free, resillient, and practical solutions to the high cost of conventional sewage systems.

Central Coast Hydroponics
Organic gardening supplies and hydroponic garden supplies.

Simple Gardens
A retail store, online, by phone, by mail specializing in gardens for small spaces.

Shedtopia - Storage Sheds
Get a garden shed, storage shed, outdoor shed for less.

Tipz Time
Home and garden tips and ideas. Crafts, recipes, and articles.

Flower Gardening Tips
Tells you all about the different types of flowers, and how to best take care of them.

Locking Secure Mailboxes
Keep your mail safe with a locking mailbox.

Cabana Village Garden Sheds
Your source for quality cedar garden sheds, pool houses, cabins and cabanas. Five-sided space saving corner sheds and cabanas.

Gardenallyear.com
Large selection of organic gardening supplies and hydroponic garden supplies.

ShadeTree Retractable Awnings
Awnings - an economical way to shelter your patio or deck from the sun. You'll appreciate the many unique benefits of ShadeTree Retractable Awnings for your deck or patio.

Garden Humor
To boldly grow where no one has groan before!

A Southern Garden
Site about an Alabama garden of antique roses, shrubs, trees and perennials.

Weathervanes Plus
Dozens of different high quality weathervanes for your home, with different models, sizes and materials such as aluminum and copper.

A Flower Arranger's Garden
Dedicated to all those who love gardens and gardening, water gardens, and anyone interested in flower arranging and floral art.

Landsape design software for home gardening
3D Garden Composer will help you create and maintain your dream garden in any season.

Avant-Gardening: Creative Organic Gardening
"You Can Grow" using sustainable organic gardening as a medium for creative expression and spiritual growth. Extensive organic gardening information, workshops, monthly newsletter, Formal Tea Gardens, virtual tours, links/resources, and more!

Power Control Center
The Power Control Center allows backyard greenhouse and water gardeners the flexibility of installing a pond or greenhouse where no electricity is near the site.

The Weekend Gardener
The Weekend Gardener is the busy persons guide to a beautiful backyard garden that almost takes care of itself.

Garden tools with a "Heart"
Where you'll find patented garden tools that make gardening easier and a great gift for a gardener.

Everything Fruit-n-Flowers
Providing unique fruit and flower gifts and collectibles.

Italian Cooking Supplies
Italian Cooking Supply is an online source of products that help you prepare delicious Italian meals.

Garden Hoses and Hose Reels
Learn about garden irrigation including: garden hoses and reels, sprinkler, drip irrigation and rain barrels.

Old Time Wheelbarrow Company
Antique style wooden wheelbarrows and carts crafted from western red cedar, featuring steel spoke wheels and accents.

Gardeners' Corner
Meet other active gardeners around the world and chat with them for advice and tips. Great gardening email lists.

Fountains & Garden Decor
Garden accents and wild bird products.

Outdoor Lighting
Source for outdoor lighting, landscaping and gardening information and products.

Mooseys Country Garden
Moosey shares her gardening obsession in over one thousand pages of gardening advice & design ideas. Tour the 15-acre New Zealand garden, visit the gallery, meet the animals, and watch the garden grow.

WiseAcre Gardens
This site started with Flowers of the North Country in NY. Gardens, Flowers and Rocks! Oh My!

Joliet Area Garden Club
Club for gardeners, devoted to gardening around Joliet.

DripWorks
Your source for quality drip irrigation and micro irrigation supplies for home owners, landscapers, farmers and greenhouse owners.

Dallas Texas Bed and Breakfast
Bailey's Uptown Inn is a b&b located in the cool Uptown neighborhood of Dallas.

Backyard Beauties
Handmade all-occasion flower seed note cards and customized flower seed packets for any business or personal event.

Specialty Woodcrafts
Handcrafted indoor/outdoor redwood adirondack furniture, assembled or as a kit, also yard crafts and indoor crafts, assembled or as a kit and holiday yard decorations.

Weathervanes Plus
Browse a selection of dozens of different copper and aluminum weathervanes, with many different sizes and models to choose from.

Creative Pet Gifts
Our Pet Crafts are exquisitely made, each piece is handcut and meticulously assembled. Our Pet Baskets are stuffed with treats and toys any pet would be delighted to receive.

Dried Flowers Direct
Dried flowers grown on 16 acre flower farm, drying occurs in three 1860 barns containing over 2 miles of drying lines.

Flower pots and garden supplies
Flower pots and garden supplies for your little piece of heaven.

My-Garden-Supplies - Advice, ideas and garden supplies
Get top quality garden supplies and tools to turn your backyard into an outdoor paradise. Patio furniture, birdhouses, fountains, garden decor, flowers, vegetables and more.

Garden Arbors
A great selection of high wood and vinyl garden arbors and arches for your home.

EZRip the Super-Fast Drywall Cutting Tool
Finally there is a better way to cut drywall. The proof is in the patents!

Sundial Supply
Features a wide selection of sundials in brass and aluminum, with pedestals as accessories.


Rose Gardening Basics


Rose Gardening Basics



There is a wide variety of roses available for anyone starting a rose garden. You may find it difficult to choose from among them as they are all so beautiful! However, there are some important factors you should take into consideration when choosing roses for your garden.

Climate

Picking the right roses for the climate you live in is probably the most important thing to think about when planning your garden. A example of this would be choosing roses that are able to adapt to cold temperatures if you live in an area that gets snow half the year.

Color

The colors of roses you choose will effect the look and feel of your garden, but which colors are best for you? Take a drive or a walk and observe different gardens. Look through magazines and watch TV. This way, you’ll be able to see which colors of roses you should use to create your dream garden.

Also, you want to consider the other colors found in your garden. How will the colors of the roses and the existing plants work together? While some are less concerned with the color palette of their gardens, others feel that it is important for the colors in the garden to match well.

Size

Size is equally as important as color when starting a rose garden. You will want to think about the height of fully grown roses. Picture them in your garden, will they still look good once they reach maximum height? Roses vary anywhere from eight to twenty feet. It is important to keep this in mind.

You will want to measure the area of your garden before you choose the roses you would like to plant. After this, compare the width and height you measured to the plant you want to buy. You should make sure your roses will have enough air exposure and plenty of room to grow. Miniature roses are a good option for those who only have a small area to grow their roses. These roses are simple to plant and care for and don’t take up much space.

Care

Many types of roses require a lot of care. Because they require so much time you will want to ask yourself if this is what you really want. They do look lovely in home gardens, but if you are more of the low-maintenance type "Modern Roses" may not be for you. They are exceedingly beautiful and bloom for long periods. Furthermore, they have a strong fragrance. On the other hand, they require a lot of maintenance and are prone to disease.

The "Old Garden Roses" are known to resist disease and are low maintenance. This classification of roses have a strong lovely scent and will bloom for numerous months at a time. If you have strong allergies to fragrances, however, this is not the rose for you. "Shrub roses" are a good alternative, as their scent is more subtle and they bloom just as long and are also resist disease.

Landscape roses are a good option for new gardeners who are starting a rose garden. Besides the fact that they look beautiful in almost any location, they resist disease and are simple to take care of. Climbing roses will work in a garden with trellises. Climbing roses are made to grow upright as vines, although similar to landscape roses. Any home can acquire added beauty with these roses.


How to take care rose plants.


How to take care rose plants.

Plant breeders have given us roses that grow well under difficult conditions and bloom almost continuously from early summer to frost. Proper plant nutrition is easy and simple to provide with the use complete plant food that supplies all the vital elements needed from the soil. Insect and disease problems can be prevented easily with regular use of insecticide-fungicide that controls most chewing insects, sucking insects, and fungus diseases. With these aids, you can grow roses successfully.

GOOD STOCK: Buy good plants, preferably No. 1, two years old, field grown and budded plants. Plants that are not pruned should have 3 or more heavy 18-inch canes. Pruned plants should have canes with a diameter of at least 1/4 inch at the top. Plants potted in tar paper pots are preferred by many gardeners since they can be transplanted most any time of the year.

PLANTING: Select a sunny, well-drained location. Trim off all broken and bruised roots, cut top growth back to 6 to 8 inches. Dig planting holes at least 6 inches deeper than needed for the plant roots. Make holes large enough to accommodate roots without crowding or bending. Place a handful of small rocks or pebbles in the bottom of holes to facilitate drainage. Mix 1 tablespoonful of fertilizer with the soil placed over the drainage material. Cover this mixture with plain soil, bringing the level to desired planting depth. Make a mound in the center to receive plant. Set plant roots over this mound, spread roots, and fill in with soil. Firm the soil tightly 2 or 3 times while filling the hole.

FEEDING: Hybrid Tea, Polyantha, Floribunda Types: The first feeding should come in early spring as soon as leaf buds begin to swell. Clear away mulch and work plant food into soil around the plant. Use 1 rounded tablespoonful of fertilizer per plant (or 1 pound per 25 square feet of bed area). Second feeding should be made at the same rate and immediately following the first heavy bloom. Third feeding, also at same rate, should be made in late summer ... northern areas not later than August 15. In soutern areas, where blooming extends into October and November, a fourth feeding should be made about the first of October. Many growers follow a regular monthly feeding program during the growing season with good results.

Tea Roses: Use one half of the above amounts, applying in a similar manner and at the same times.

Hybrid Perpetual, Climbing, Shrub Roses: Feed 1 rounded tablespoonful of fertilizer to each square foot of space around the bush in early spring. Feed again when blooms start to appear. In both cases work the fertilizer lightly into the soil to within 4 inches of the plant.

SUMMER CARE: The cultural practices differ but little in various sections of the country, with exception of timing of operations that depend upon climate. Artificial watering may be necessary if summer rainfall is insufficient. If soil is well drained, there is not much danger of overwatering. When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches ... do not merely sprinkle. CULTIVATION is necessary to eliminate weeds and keep soil loose. Deep cultivation in midsummer is harmful when the roots are close to the surface. MULCHING during the summer will eliminate weeds, necessity of cultivation, and reduce moisture evaporation. Mulches should be applied 2 or 3 weeks before roses come into bloom.

DISEASES AND PESTS: Black-spot, mildew, and blight together with insects, such as aphids, thrips, and red spider, are some of the more troublesome rose disease and insect problems. Control is easy and prevention is practical with the regular use of chemicals, that controls most fungus diseases and chewing and sucking insects. Regular dusting every week or 10 days will make the disease-insect problem easy to handle.

PRUNING: Bush type roses should be pruned in the early spring when the leaf buds begin to swell, but before growth starts. Follow these basic principles:

  1. Remove all wood killed or injured during the winter, cutting back to solid tissue.

  2. Remove all weak, twiggy growth.

  3. Shape plants by cutting strong canes back to -a uniform height, removing as little healthy wood as possible. Remove very old canes by cutting off at the ground level.

  4. Cut ordinary hybrid varieties back to about 18 to 24 inches. Ramblers should be pruned after blooming by removing old unwanted canes at the base.

WINTER PROTECTION: It's not extreme cold that kills roses but rather the frequent alternate freezing and thawing that heaves the plant, thus breaking the roots. The winter sun and dry winds take moisture away from the canes and make winter injury more of a problem. Winter mulching with straw, peat moss, or other material is advisable in all but the extreme southern sections of the United States. This mulch regulates the soil temperature and tempers the effects of freezing and thawing. Pull soil up around each plant to a height of about 6 inches after the first frost, then after the ground is frozen r mulch.


How to Start Rose Gardening

How to Start Rose Gardening

Roses are ancient symbols of love and beauty. They are also simply beautiful flowers that compliment any home, landscape or garden. Beginning a rose garden may sound like a romantic endeavor, and it should be, but there are some basics skills that you will have to master first before setting off on your quest of becoming a renowned rosarian!
Probably the most important factor to consider when planning your new rose garden is climate. Once you've identified which rose species will flourish in your area, you can start with the fun process of choosing colors, sizes and types.
You local nursery is often a good source of information for all things gardening in your area. Beginning a rose garden is no different. Speak to your nursery manager or owner for advice and tips on growing roses, diseases, pruning and daily care. Many towns an cities also boast active rose societies and clubs. Consider contacting and joining one of these before or after you start your rose garden. It's a great way to make friends and learn from other rose enthusiasts.
We hope that you'll immerse yourself in the world of roses and that starting a rose garden will be the first step to a life-long love affair! This site is loaded with informative articles for every aspiring rose gardener. Enjoy reading and come back often for more updates.


Roses prefer a rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic (pH between 6.0 - 6.5). They like plenty of water and sun -- at least eight to 10 hours -- and grow best when protected from harsh wind and cold.

So, when selecting a site for your rose garden, look for spots that receive plenty of sun. If you have a choice between morning or afternoon sun, select morning. (Morning sun evaporates dew quickly - keeping leaves dry and fungal diseases at bay.) Note when the shade comes around and for how long. Really get a feel for the amount of sunlight the area receives and the type of soil it has. Roses are very tolerant of different soil conditions, but will thrive in garden soil that is improved with ample amounts of organic matter, such as compost, peat moss or aged animal manures.

While it's awfully tempting to rush out and begin planting right away, it's a good idea to take a moment and plan your attack. Spend some time sketching out what will go where, and avoid growing roses under gutters or eaves where falling snow or ice can damage tender canes. If you're interested, Martha Stewart gives her version of the ultimate rose garden here.

In addition to plenty of light, try and give your roses plenty of room. Don't plant them too closely together. Giving them space will allow air to circulate and will protect them from fungal diseases that thrive on moisture.

Also, figure out how you will water your roses. Is the spot with the most light close to water? Or will you have to lug it? Are sprinklers a possibility? You may have to install underground drip or a sprinkler system to ensure your roses are healthy (see Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens). Healthy roses means plants that will bloom repeatedly.

Roses will survive with a minimum amount of water, but will flourish when grown in well-draining soils with ample amounts of moisture. Most importantly water slowly and deeply. A schedule of two deep waterings per week is far better than several light waterings, which will encourage shallow roots that are easily damaged and cannot adequately anchor the plant.

When possible, water on bright sunny mornings, especially if using overhead sprinklers. This will give the foliage time to dry out before evening, thus preventing many plant diseases (see How to Prevent Rose Disease). Fungal spores are especially prevalent in spring and fall when nights are cool and days are warm. If the leaves are allowed to remain wet through the night, disease can spread rapidly.

Tip: A 2 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch will reduce the need for watering by slowing down soil moisture evaporation.

Roses grown in containers will require more frequent watering because potting mixes are often lighter than garden soil and the amount of soil around the plant is limited by the size of the pot. Watering container-grown roses once a day or even twice daily may be necessary, especially if they are located in a sunny location and the weather turns hot.

Once you've selected your site, record how well your garden does and how you can improve things in the coming years of cultivation. Keep notes about how much your watering, what sort of fertilizer you've used and how your roses have done for the year (see Keeping a Garden Journal). Tracking such things will ensure that your roses will improve each year as you learn from mistakes and find out what works and what doesn't.

Growing Rose Trees


Looking for a colorful way to make a grand statement? If you like to potter around in the garden, then do what the nobles of the past did and surround your home with rose trees. Doing so will definitely add an air of elegance to any landscape.
Rose trees, also known as Rose Standards, differ from rose plants or rose shrubs in that they are actually cultivated to resemble a tree. A rose tree consists of a long, slender cane, 32 – 36 inches (about 1 meter) in length, void of any foliage from which an abundance of rose flowers literally burst forth. The 'tree' is created by making two grafts: one at the top of the central cane to support the hybrid tee, grandiflora or floribunda and one at the bottom, at the rootstock.
Miniature roses are created in a similar manner, the difference being that the central cane measures only approximately 24 inches. Whether regular-sized or miniature, the end result is a unique rose that has the shape of a lollipop.
To endure the weight of the grafted rose on top, the central cane usually must be staked. Extra care must be taken in areas prone to wind, where staking is especially important. Another problem with rose trees, besides the usual pests and diseases that plague all roses, is the sun. The cane part of the tree rose is especially susceptible to sun scald.
During the winter months it's difficult to protect rose trees from the cold. With regular roses, all that's required to prepare for winter is a layer of mulch around the base. But with the rose tree, to be protected from the cold, mulch must be placed all the way up the cane. The only way to accomplish this is either by relocating the rose tree during the winter, or by engineering a container made from wire mesh to surround the cane that can be filled with mulch.
Besides the seasonal rose tree care, growers have to diligently prune rose trees to achieve the right look. The central cane should never be pruned, only the flowering top part. How you prune will depend on the type of rose that sits atop the cane so know the right way before beginning. Improperly pruned roses, regardless of type, are more prone to diseases. And with the rose tree, it can cause an uneven distribution of weight that could break the stems.
You'll find several different species of rose trees. One of the more recent to hit the market is the 'double decker' rose tree that produces two layers of flowers. One is on top, as you would normally expect to see, and the other layer begins closer to the ground although this layer is not considered ground covering. Yellow Ribbons Double Decker is a beauty. Another popular rose tree is the 'weeping' tree where arched rose stems overflowing with roses cascade towards the ground. The Roseberry Blanket Weeping Tree Rose produces large-sized fuchsia blooms.
Even though Rose Standards require more love and care, the attention they'll get when they're established and in full bloom is well worth the effort. They'll add height to your garden and bursts of vibrant color throughout your landscape.

Pruning rose bushes is intimidating to many gardeners, but actually very good for the plants. Becoming an accomplished rose pruner takes time and practice, but keep in mind that it is very hard to kill a rose with bad pruning. While there is a great deal of disagreement among rose experts regarding how and when to prune roses, it is generally agreed that most mistakes will grow out very quickly and it is better to make a good effort at pruning roses than to let them grow rampant.

When to Prune Roses
Timing is determined by the class of the rose plant and the zone in which it is growing. Most rose pruning is done in the spring, with the blooming of the forsythia as a signal to get moving. If you don't have forsythia, watch for when the leaf buds begin to swell on your rose plants, meaning the bumps on the canes get larger and reddish in color.
Hybrid tea roses are the most particular about pruning. If you don't know what type of rose you have, watch the plant for a season. If it blooms on the new growth it sends out that growing season, prune while dormant or just about to break dormancy, as stated above. If it blooms early, on last year's canes, don't prune until after flowering.
Some general pruning guidelines by rose classification:

BLOOMS ONCE, ON NEW GROWTH
Modern Ever-Blooming Roses & Floribunda: These bloom best on the current season's growth. Prune hard (½ to 2/3 the plant's height) in the spring and remove old woody stems. Leave 3-5 healthy canes evenly spaced around the plant. Cut them at various lengths from 18 - 24 inches, to encourage continuous blooming.
Hybrid Teas & Grandiflora: These also bloom on new wood and should be pruned in early spring. Remove dead and weak wood. Create an open vase shape with the remaining canes by removing the center stems and any branches crossing inwards. Then reduce the length of the remaining stems by about ½ or down to 18 - 24 inches. You can allow the older, stronger stems to be a bit longer than the new growth.

BLOOMS ONCE, ON OLD WOOD
Ramblers: Prune to remove winter damage and dead wood or to shape and keep size in check. Ramblers bloom only once and can be pruned right after flowering, all the way back to 2-3 inches if you wish.

REPEAT BLOOMERS
Modern Shrub Roses: This group is repeat bloomers, blooming on mature, but not old, woody stems. Leave them unpruned to increase vigor for the first 2 years and then use the "one-third" method. Each year remove one-third of the oldest canes (in addition to any dead, diseased or dying canes).
Climbers: Climbers may repeat bloom. Prune early to remove winter damage and dead wood. Prune after flowering to shape and keep their size in check.
Bourbons and Portlands: These will repeat bloom, blooming on both new and old wood. Prune to remove dead wood before flowering. A harder pruning and shaping can be done after the first flowering.

MINIMAL PRUNING NEEDED
Alba, Centifolia, Damasks, Gallica, and Mosses: This group blooms only once, producing flowers on old wood and don't require much pruning at all. Prune only to remove dead or thin wood and to shape the plants and prune after flowering.
Miniature Roses: Prune only to shape. Cut back to an outward facing bud after blooming.

Favorite Garden Roses



This is a selection made from among articles on Rose Gardening India.
Favorite Garden Roses
from: Lawn and Garden Magic



Roses have been around for a long time and continue to be one of the most popular plants for gardeners. Roses are a symbol of love and prosperity everywhere in the world and you know a bouquet of roses will bring an ear to ear smile to anyone who receive one.

You have a huge variety of vibrant and vigorous roses available to choose from. Some are best suited to different climates but roses are grown on every continent in the world. Of course, roses have been a popular choce for any gift giving occasion for many years.

Most gardeners have a favorite based on care and appearance. While each type of rose has differences, they can all create a wonderful and attractive displays of the best that nature has to offer.

Hybrid teas may be the most popular roses of all. Americans are enthusiastic lovers of hybrid teas partly due to the way they bloom into several huge clusters if blooms at one time. These roses create vivid and full displays of lengthy fine buds and large fragrant flowers. Roses do require some help through the cold temperatures of winter but are well worth the effort.

Very little maintenance is needed for abundant blooms, providing gardeners a great return for their efforts. These roses have an elegan shape and and reach a height of 2 1/2 - 6 feet. Hybrid teas provide blooms throughout the entire growing season, but do need some protection during the long winter months.

If you're a gardener who doesn't have much time for pampering, Floribundas are a smart choice. They're strong plants and with some protection, can live during the winter without much loss. Floribunda roses will bloom in bunches from individual to groups of double flowers.

Many gardeners favor Grandifloras since they bring charming petals and grown to great heights while continuously bloomoing during the season. They bloom as lusciously as hybrid tea rose clusters, growing to a height of about six feet. Grandifloras are quite showy and produce white petals and bloom in late spring and they're a cross between Floribundas and hybrid teas. Gladifloras are a tall and studious that breeds what would be considered classic clusters of flowers.

Rugosas grow just about any where and can handle soil that is less than perfect soil. In addition, they only require only three hours or so of daily sunlight. Thus they're especially suitable for the lower numbers in the hardiness zones.

Climbing Roses have lengthy, reaching canes full of blooms. You can train your trellis to weave their way over fences as well as archways.

Landscape Roses work definitely raise the level of your lawn or garden. They grow as hedges and have a way of enriching the color scheme of your garden. Their size varies and they can produce a full, robust bloom in the autumn. Theses roses should be pruned during the winter to eliminate old wood and to help their shapeliness once they've flowered.

Standard Tree Roses are made of tough root stock that connects to a long stem that grafts to a rose bush at the tip of the stem. Tree roses look marvelous along the side of the house since they reace a good height. They should have some form of covering during the winter months.

English Roses combine the fullness of bloom with tangy aromas that are a lot easier to grow and maintain than hybrid teas because of their high resistance to diseases. However, be aware that some can become short climbers if they're pruned regularly. English Roses will remind you of antique roses and will require some help getting through the cold winter months.

You can't get away from it, but Tea Roses do need lots of tender loving care. Their name comes from their distinctive scent. They're decedents of roses grown in mild climates, so there's a possiblity they could grow fragile blossoms in the hardiest zones. They're quite demanding roses that aren't very good at withstanding bad weather. However, if you decide to grow them you won't be disappointed. There are many who consider these the best of the best.

Miniature Roses are adorable plants that are perfect for dressing up your dirveway, deck or patio. They're always popular because people are enchanted by these amazingly cute little versions of larger roses. They're perfect accent flowers that can beautify any area of your home.

Dealing with rose diseases

Rose Gardening

Roses have gotten a bad wrap up over the years for being hard to grow and maintain. If you are flirting with rose gardening don't let this rumor stop you. Although rose gardening can turn out to be challenging, once you master it, it really is not that bad. Just adopt a few easy tips and you will make your rose garden the envy of your neighbors and friends.

Dealing with Rose Diseases 
To be sure that your appreciated roses stay in the best of health, just adopt these tips for your rose garden.

1.Black Spots on Leaves
This disease is usually called black spot. Black spots come along as circular with fringed edges on leaves. They make the leaves to yellow. Take away the infected leafage and collect any fallen leaves close to the rose. Artificial sprays can be applied to prevent or treat this sort of rose disease.

2.Stunted or malformed young canes
Called powdery mildew, this is a fungus disease that covers leaves, stems and buds with wind spread white powder. It causes the leaves curl and become purple. Spray with Funginex or Benomyl to treat this fungal disease.

3.Blistered underside of leaves
Called rust, this disease is characterized by orange-red blisters that become black in fall. It can come through the winter and will then attack fresh sprouts in the spring. Collect and throw away leaves that are contaminated in autumn. A Benomyl or Funginex spray every 7-10 days may help.

4.Malformed or stunted leaves and flowers
This is made by spider mites. They are tiny yellow, red or green spiders found on the underside of leaves where they absorb juices. The application of Orthene or Isotox can help in addressing this plague.

5.Weak and mottled leaves with tiny white webs under them
This is caused by aphids. They are small soft-bodied insects that are usually brown, green or red. Oftentimes clumped under leaves and flower buds, they suck plant juices from tender buds. Malathion or diazinon spray can help roses to come through these bugs.

6.Flowers that don't open or are deformed when they open
Thrips could be the cause behind this problem. They are slight, brown-yellow bugs with fringed wings that also suck juices from flower buds. Cut back and throw away the plagued flowers. Orthene and malathion can also address this problem.

Remember that roses are hungry feeders that need much fertilizer to become healthy bushes.

Best Rose Gardening tips

Rose gardening tips should teach us how to have beautiful roses in abundance after all those are the reasons we got the rose plants in the first place. We want beautiful roses and the more the better.

One usually thinks in terms of fertilizers when wanting healthy plants so let's discuss that first. What you want is what's called a complete fertilizer. This is fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potash.

When you buy a bag of fertilizer you will notice on the bag a series of three numbers like 10-5-5. What this tells us is the bag contains 10 percent nitrogen, 5 percent phosphate and 5 percent potash. A high quality fertilizer, which is recommended for your roses, would be 10-10-10 or even a 12-12-12.

Take a rake and rough up the ground around your rose plant and then mix in with this roughed up ground some of this high quality fertilizer. Do this from the base to about 6 inches out making a full circle around the base. Then sprinkle water lightly on top to help the fertilizer mix in and become a part of the soil. This should be done in the spring and some gardeners fertilize about once a month which I think is overkill. A couple of times a year is fine if that doesn't work for you, you can always increase it. I just think it's better to err on the side of less work (ha). Hey don't laugh too hard, I'm sure you agree.

Another important part in rose gardening tips is pruning because this has an important affect on the abundance of your roses.

In areas with harsh winters the rose plants will go dormant which means they stop growing which is done to survive harsh environmental conditions (winter, frost, snow). When the harsh winter is over and just before growing season begins you want to do a major pruning (cutting back) on your rose plant. A major pruning is when you cut down all the canes (stems, branches) a full third to one half of their size. You cut back to give the bush a nice shape, like getting a haircut, and the pruning stimulates stem and flower growth. Which is why you do it just before growing season and not during it dormancy.

Most gardeners talk about this "once a year" pruning but the truth is you can prune any time for any reason. Another good time to prune is around mid summer when the flowers are getting a little old and going down hill. Doing a pruning at this time, cutting off all the deadheads (dead flowers) will stimulate a whole new growth of fresh beautiful roses.

But you don't have to wait for your roses to go downhill. You can cut off young flowers for your vase for your indoor enjoyment. It won't harm your rose plant, again it just stimulates further rose growth. How nice is that? You get beautiful roses for your indoor enjoyment without the huge price tag at the flower shop and there is no sacrifice to your rose bush. How's that for some nice rose gardening tips?



Best Tips to Maintain Rose Flowers


Rose flowers are believed to be the top most of floriculture but farmers are trying to compete with roses and grow marigold and tuberoses to attract huge demand in the near future from international market.

Gardening is fun and easy if you take certain measures and plan for proper growth of plants. You can plan and create a rose garden of your own that will take away the stress of your day with its beauty.

The rose garden that you love and admire so much can be yours if you follow few easy steps in planning and in raising your roses.

Here are few tips for rose gardening

The rose garden ultimately is a get away for you and your thoughts any time of the day. One important thing to remember is that rose flower love sunshine, so you have to take care that you grow the rose plants only in full sun areas.

If you have a partially shaded area where you want to grow new rose bushes, you may have to consider moving your plants to where the roses will receive at least six hours of sun a day or more.

The other important thing to remember is to have plenty of water for the growth of rose flowers. You will need to water your roses at least once a week as your rose establishes itself.

Rose plants usually require severe pruning, which must be adapted to the intended use of flowers. Trim off all broken and bruised roots on the rose plant, cut top growth back to 6 to 8 inches.

Clay soils, warm temperatures are always preferred and the rose plants grow the best when not set among the others.

The soil that you plant your rose in does need to drain well because the rose bush will not thrive in the moist area all the time. Refraining from planting your rose in an area that fills with puddles will aid in your successful flower rose garden.

Care for your rose garden

For a perfect growth of rose flowers, cow manure is the preferred fertilizer, but other organic fertilizers and especially composts are also used. Provide a balanced diet to your roses.

The fertilizers should be used particularly while active growing and blooming stage to enhance the vigor of blooming in your roses.

Mulching is also needed during summer to take care and helps to eliminate weeds among rose plants. In the winter, mulching with straw and peat moss is advisable.

Disease related to Rose flowers

Roses are subject to several diseases. The most serious is rose rust. This disease is caused due to fungus formation. Fungal diseases are best solved by a preventive fungicidal spray program rather than trying to cure an infection after it is visible.

Following simple tips, you can grow rose flowers successfully where ever you like to.