Caring and Growing Roses
There are three things you need to pay attention when caring and growing roses: water, fertlizer, and pruning. Here are some tips to keep your roses happy and blooming beautifully.
Watering roses
How often should you water roses? During the summer months, you should water your roses regularly. If there is no rain, you should water them every few days. If it gets dry in the autumn, you can continue watering them to strengthen them for the winter. Roses thrive on water, but too much will drown them. The ideal condition is to have rich, loose soil with good drainage.
How should you water to prevent diseases? Wet leaves encourages diseases so instead of watering them with overhead sprinklers, water them at ground level. Watering in the morning also helps prevent diseases.
Tips: Put a two to four inch layer of mulch at the base of your roses to conserve water, decrease stress and promote growth.
Fertilizing roses
When should you fertilize? Fertilize your roses before and during the blooming cycle. Stop feeding them about six weeks before the first frost, around mid-August. Remove dead flower heads frequently and keep the beds clean. This encourages new growth and prevents diseases.
Pruning roses
Prune your roses every spring to rid of diseased or old parts. You should not prune them in the autumn. If necessary, cut off any dead canes.
Tips: Don’t forget to wear elbow-length gloves to protect from thorns.
Rose color: What do they mean?
Did you know that each rose color has a different meaning?
- Red Roses: Love and romance, beauty and perfection.
- White Rose: New beginnings, purity, innocence, virtue and loyalty.
- Pink Rose: Gratitude or admiration, elegance and grace.
- Yellow Rose: Friendship, warmth and joy.
- Orange Rose: Enthusiasm, creativity and passion.
