Basic Rose Care
Rose Expert, Bill Dickerson, talks about basic rose care. He starts with pruning. Roses should be pruned in late winter. Cut the rose canes to 12-16 inches – the larger canes can be longer, the smaller canes shorter. First cut out the dead wood, then the spindly branches. Prune the bush to be open in the center. That increases air circulation which reduces disease.
There are many rose fertilizers on the market. In the spring Bill uses cotton seed meal and alfalfa pellets. These build the soil. He also uses Epsom salts and some nitrogen fertilizer. He will then use additional fertilizers throughout the year.
When buying rose plants go to a nursery so you can get a good quality rose and the nursery can recommend plants that will do well in your area. Rose plants need about 1 inch of water a week throughout the year. Roses like dry feet so don’t overwater.
Flowers that are mature or starting to wilt should be cut to encourage future growth. The rose stem should be cut back to above a five leaf cluster. The plant will produce a new rose in 40-45 days.
Black spot is the main disease of roses. It starts with a black spot on the leaf. The leaf will turn yellow, die, and fall off. Black spot is a fungal disease so fungicides need to be applied to reduce it. Fungicides are only preventative in nature and do not cure a damaged leaf. You will have to spray every week or so. Also, clean up the diseased leaves from the ground. Mulching helps conserve moisture and reduce black spot.
Related Resources:
Rose Bush Pruning
Summer Rose Care
Related Resources:
Growing Roses
Pruning Roses
Roses: fertilizing
There are many rose fertilizers on the market. In the spring Bill uses cotton seed meal and alfalfa pellets. These build the soil. He also uses Epsom salts and some nitrogen fertilizer. He will then use additional fertilizers throughout the year.
When buying rose plants go to a nursery so you can get a good quality rose and the nursery can recommend plants that will do well in your area. Rose plants need about 1 inch of water a week throughout the year. Roses like dry feet so don’t overwater.
Flowers that are mature or starting to wilt should be cut to encourage future growth. The rose stem should be cut back to above a five leaf cluster. The plant will produce a new rose in 40-45 days.
Black spot is the main disease of roses. It starts with a black spot on the leaf. The leaf will turn yellow, die, and fall off. Black spot is a fungal disease so fungicides need to be applied to reduce it. Fungicides are only preventative in nature and do not cure a damaged leaf. You will have to spray every week or so. Also, clean up the diseased leaves from the ground. Mulching helps conserve moisture and reduce black spot.
Related Resources:
Rose Bush Pruning
Summer Rose Care
Related Resources:
Growing Roses
Pruning Roses
Roses: fertilizing