Grow The Roses

Growing roses in pots is easy if you know how. Potted roses may not be as attractive as large rose bushes in a sprawling garden but they have their own appeal. If you live in a cramped apartment and are longing to add some color to your home, potted roses is the way to go. The first step in this direction would be to discuss with your local nursery on the choices available based on your climate zone. Also, make sure you choose a disease-resistant variety to minimize the time you would be spending in taking care of your roses.

The next step is to choose a pot. Any pot which is wider and deeper than your rose plant will do. However, terracotta or clay pots are preferred as they will keep your plant cool as opposed to plastic and wood. If you still insist on plastic, buy one that is light colored as dark colors absorb heat and dry out the soil easily. Make sure the pot has a hole for draining out water and line the pot with gravel to prevent clogging of the hole.

Prepare some good potting soil with

* 1/3 potting soil

* 1/3 well-composted mushroom

* 1 cup perlite

* 1 cup bonemeal

Place a small mound of the mixed soil in the center of the pot. Dip the roots of the plant in root hormone and drape the roots over the mound and fill the rest of the pot with soil. To remove any air pockets in the soil, water thoroughly. Mulching around the base of the plant helps the soil retain moisture and humidity. Identify a spot on your balcony or terrace which is most exposed to sunlight as your rose needs at least six hours of direct sunlight. If you have more than one pot, maintain a gap of at least two feet between each pot to prevent spread of disease.

Roses, especially potted, are very thirsty plants so you have to water frequently. Water deeply until the water starts draining out of the pot. Check the soil frequently to see if it is still moist; if the soil is dry, it is time to water again. Most potted roses need at least a bowl of water every day. While watering, take care to aim at the roots and never to splash on the leaves as wet leaves encourage fungal diseases.

Feed your plant once a week with a good houseplant feed or a fish emulsion feed which will encourage growth. Sprinkling a tablespoon of Epsom salts will brighten your roses.

Trim your plant regularly to keep it clean of damaged, diseased, and dead wood. Spray the plant once a week with clean water in the morning to wash away dust and spider mites. Prune your plant at least once a year to encourage new growth and more blooms.

You may not see immediate results as your plant will take a couple of weeks or more to establish itself in it’s new surroundings. With patience and regular care, you will soon see new leaves and buds on your plant.

It is not easy to have a rose tree garden unless you have considerable experience in growing rose plants.  It is not just growing a rose tree but trying to grow three different parts of a rose plant in a single unit.  

The root is taken from one plant, and the cane from another, and the crown of roses from yet another.  In fact the more adventurous you are, the more colorful your tree can get with different colored roses from different plants.  Just make sure that all the plants are suitable to your soil and weather conditions.

Get your rose tree started in your greenhouse first before you expose it to the elements.  Once it starts sprouting new leaves and branches, you can move it out into the open.  Dig a really deep and wide hole to give the roots sufficient room to spread.  Make sure you space your trees about three to four feet apart for good air circulation.  Water deeply at the roots and guard the cane, which acts as the trunk of the tree, from frostbite by mulching right up the sides and tying with chicken wire.

Vincent Van Gogh painted his oil on canvas ‘The Wild Rose’ (1890) drawing inspiration from the wild rose that is found rambling along in total abandon in different parts of the globe.  The wild rose is ideal for easy-going gardeners as they are disease resistant and tolerant of harsh weather and soil conditions.  Although there are a hundred species of the wild rose, finding one in your nursery is rare.  The next best choice for easy maintenance roses in garden settings is the Nearly Wild Rose.

Plant your Nearly Wild Rose near a fence or hedge to keep it far from your lawn mower and to give it the support it needs to grow well.  An annual pruning and feeding with a good organic fertilizer will do wonders for your rose.  Unlike the wild rose, it is a repeat bloomer.  These pretty roses are pink, white, red, or yellow in color.

The Rugosa has traveled many miles from the Orient to North America to firmly establish itself as the most sought after landscaping rose!  The Canandian Explorer series of Nearly Wild roses are extremely winter hardy and well-suited for Zone 4 upwards. 

Hybrid teas are famous for being choosy about almost everything.   But you can still grow the roses you’ve always longed for; put in some serious planning, select the plants that are best suited to your soil conditions and climate zones, and you are good to go!

Here are some absolutely ravishing hybrid teas roses that you are sure to like:

Celebrityhas a fruity fragrance and is warm yellow in color.  It needs some protection through the winter months.

Barbara Bush is quite a favorite because of it’s subtle damask fragrance and alluring coral pink and ivory blooms. 

Remember Me with it’s highly scented blooms looks awesome in orange vermilion and coral hues against a very dark green foliage.  It exudes a highly intoxicating fragrance.

Neptune has a very strong but sweet old rose fragrance.  The blooms are elegant with lavender and purple edged petals.

Sunset Celebration is a most unusual color that can only be described as a perfect blend of amber and creamy apricot.  It has a slight fruity fragrance.

Michelangelo with it’s mild lemon fragrance is a connoisseur’s delight in medium yellow shades.

It is not easy to have a rose tree garden unless you have considerable experience in growing rose plants.  It is not just growing a rose tree but trying to grow three different parts of a rose plant in a single unit.  

The root is taken from one plant, and the cane from another, and the crown of roses from yet another.  In fact the more adventurous you are, the more colorful your tree can get with different colored roses from different plants.  Just make sure that all the plants are suitable to your soil and weather conditions.

Get your rose tree started in your greenhouse first before you expose it to the elements.  Once it starts sprouting new leaves and branches, you can move it out into the open.  Dig a really deep and wide hole to give the roots sufficient room to spread.  Make sure you space your trees about three to four feet apart for good air circulation.  Water deeply at the roots and guard the cane, which acts as the trunk of the tree, from frostbite by mulching right up the sides and tying with chicken wire.