Caring for Roses

The rose, the "Queen of Flowers," is grown in all fifty of the United States, but this magnificent shrub requires special care in Florida. An evergreen shrub in this state, the rose grows and blooms all year in South Florida and at least nine months in North Florida. It is a high maintenance plant, requiring year long grooming for maximum flower production.

When selecting rose plants, consider your intended use of the blossoms. Preference for roses with a special trait may guide your selection. Choose plants grafted onto Rosa fortuniana rootstock. They are longer lived, grow larger, are more vigorous, and produce more flowers, than plants grown on their roots and those grafted on `Dr. Huey' and multiflora rootstocks.

Plant roses where they will get direct sunlight for at least six hours during the day. Where some shading is unavoidable, locations which supply morning sunlight are preferred.

The best soil for roses is one that has good drainage yet holds an adequate supply of moisture and nutrients. Nutrients are most readily available to roses in a moderately to slightly acid soil, pH 5.5-6.5. Roses should not be planted in poorly drained bog or marsh areas. Minor drainage problems of low areas can be overcome by ditching or raising the bed level several inches.

Materials that will increase the water holding capacity, improve the nutrient balance and change the pH can be added to the soil before planting. Preplanting soil amendments not only improve plant growth and beauty but also reduce the effort needed to keep plants growing well.

Organic materials to amend poor soils include compost, leaf-mold, peat, muck, and well rotted manures. As much as a four inch layer of any of these or a combination of two or more will improve most soils. Mix amendments thoroughly and evenly to a depth of twelve inches.

Dormant bare-rooted plants, which are available October through March, will be in bloom about ten weeks after planting. Planting is best delayed in northern Florida until December or January to allow roots systems to become established before shoots begin to grow. Leafy container grown roses can be transplanted anytime. Remove dead, broken and diseased wood before planting.

Florida's high light intensity, warm temperatures and mild winters cause roses to make some growth all year and more growth during warm months than in northern states. Roses grow larger and require more space in the Florida landscape so allow for size increase when planting.

In most locations, roses should receive one inch of water once a week. Water should be applied to the soil surface to prevent the build up of high levels of soluble salts in the root zone and prevent water on the foliage which increases disease potential.

A complete fertilizer should be applied five to seven times a year, one application each time plants produce a flush of growth. This program will provide plants grown in south Florida about seven fertilizations a year and those in north Florida about five. Alternate applications of a 1-1-1 analysis ratio fertilizer such as 8-8-8 with 1-0-1 analysis ratio fertilizer such as a 10-0-10. This fertilization program will prevent the build up of high levels of phosphorus.

Grooming is a regular feature of rose culture. Removing faded flowers after each flush of bloom improves plant appearance and prevents fruit development. Flower buds should be removed for the first two months after planting to encourage growth and help to establish a new plant. The first flowers allowed to develop should be cut with short stems to leave as much foliage as possible on the plant.

Remove dead wood and canes showing disease symptoms. Cut the affected part back to healthy wood and remove it from the garden. Additional pruning should be done each year during December or January in central and north Florida. In south Florida, pruning may need to be done twice a year for size control, once in March and again in August. To avoid dieback and encourage rapid healing, pruning cuts should be made just above a dormant bud.

A schedule of rose maintenance includes spraying and irrigation each week, grooming and fertilization after each flush or growth, pruning and mulching during each winter season. This caring for the health of the rose plant can provide an abundance of bloom that extends through the growing seasons for many years.


Copyright by Dr. Bob's Gardening Tips