Rose Care Tips
The majestic rose in all its glory is one of the most beautiful and beloved flowers to ever grace our gardens and touch our lives. Roses are loved all over the world but for many rose lovers they are put off growing them, believing they need too much care and attention. This belief is not necessary correct. Instead proper rose care can be easily learn’t. The following are some Rose care tips that will help you to nurture them into the jewels of the garden they were destined to be.
Tip 1. Water of life
Just like humans, roses need regular attention to ensure they are looking their best and it’s all very easy when you know how. Any form of life depends on water to survive and roses are no different. Every rose needs about an inch of water every week and if watered well, will bloom beautifully in any garden.
What isn’t widely recognized is how deep into the soil the rose roots travel. Rose roots travel so deep that when there has been no rain for days they are capable of extracting water well below the dry surface. This survival technique can be encouraged by watering the roots of the roses which influences them to grow deep into the soil. The mistake some rose owners make is watering their roses lightly and frequently which only trains the rose roots to grow shallow within the soil. In dry weather, this means the rose will look near the surface of the soil for water instead of deeper down and will inevitably starve a rose of the water it needs to stay alive.
Tip 2. Secrets in the soil
Roses need food, which is why they are given fertilizer to nourish their growth. However, some rose species can go for many years without the need for fertilizer at all because they are planted in good soil.
A common mistake made by many rose owners is smothering their roses in man-made fertilizer which not only removes beneficial bugs from the roses, but encourages them to be dependent on fertilizers like a drug, which means you constantly have to supply them, Instead of this, it is recommended to use a slow-release fertilizer which supplies the rose with nourishment just as it is waking up in early spring, as well as after the blooms fade as it stores up the rose plant’s energy for next season. However it is important not to fertilize your roses after midsummer because the fertilizer promotes new growth and this new growth will only freeze in the winter.
There are two main types of fertilizer, inorganic and organic. A rose will blossom with both types, however the helpful bacteria and fungus in the soil can digest the organic fertilizer which means the soil naturally becomes more fertile. Organic fertilizer is friendly to the environment and is beneficial for the rose in the long term. However if you choose to use inorganic fertilizer, the most effective combinations are 5-10-5 and 4-8-4.
Tip 3. Pruning
Roses, as well as watering and feeding, need pruning. Pruning is usually recommended in the spring after the roses have been sleeping through the winter months. During the winter roses gather broken, diseased and dead wood that only stunts their growth. Pruning allows the rose to breathe, giving the rose space so the air can flow through it and keep it healthy. Some rose owners prune their roses to shape them for decoration purposes.
After the rose has blossomed into the stunning flower we all know and love, pruning the flowers encourages the rose to grow even more. By pruning the flower buds, you are encouraging a new rose plant to grow. Pruning is essential for growth and allowing your roses to reach their true beautiful potential.
Results
The striking roses we all admire take dedication, patience and knowledge to grow. However these qualities are not out of reach for anyone who is serious about growing their own roses. The rewards are worth the commitment and as a result the delicate rose becomes appreciated for its blossoming journey as well as its beauty.
