By: Jeffrey Meier
A rose is said to be a symbol of love. For generations, the rose has been the most popular flower known not only for its beauty for the significance it holds. There are so many varieties and different colors of roses. Rose gardening is perhaps the most popular among all flower lovers. You need to take care of your garden in all seasons to make sure that your flowers remain as beautiful as it should be.
You should keep in mind some things if you want to keep your rose garden healthy.
Planting:
Before planting your plant, you should first check the soil and the location. Always select a sunny, well-drained location. Remember to trim off all broken and bruised roots and cut top growth back to 6 to 8 inches. Dig planting holes at least 6 inches deeper than needed for the plant roots. The holes should be large enough to accommodate roots without crowding or bending, and then place a handful of small rocks or pebbles in the bottom of holes to facilitate drainage. Mix about 1 tablespoonful of fertilizer with the soil placed over the drainage material. Cover this mixture with plain soil, bringing the level to desired planting depth. Make a mound in the center to receive plant and set plant roots over this mound, spread the roots and fill in with soil. Firm the soil tightly 2 or 3 times while filling the hole.
FEEDING:
There are different types of roses and all need different care and attention. Some are winter roses; some are summers and some spring roses.
Hybrid Tea, Polyantha, Floribunda Types:
For these types of roses the first feeding comes in early spring as soon as the leaf buds begin to swell. You should clean the mulch and work plant food into soil around the plant. Use about 1 tablespoonful of fertilizer per plant. Then comes the second feeding which should be made at the same rate and immediately following the first heavy bloom. The third feeding is done in late summers and should also be made at the same rate. You should follow a regular monthly feeding program during the growing season to get good results.
Tea Roses:
The same procedure is followed for this type also but the amount of fertilizer used is a bit more. Here you should use one half of the above amounts, applying in a similar manner and at the same times.
Hybrid Perpetual, Climbing, Shrub Roses:
For these types about 1 tablespoonful of fertilizer is used to each square foot of space around the bush in early spring. When blooms start to appear the plants are to be fed again. In both cases work the fertilizer lightly into the soil to within 4 inches of the plant.
DISEASES AND PESTS:
Fungal infections are common in roses. Early summer is when fungus most commonly appears on roses. Black-spots appear on the flower. Insects, such as aphids, thrips, and red spider, are some of the insects that cause problems. Control is easy and prevention is practical with the regular use of chemicals that controls most fungus diseases and chewing and sucking insects. Neem oil product is not only rated for fungal diseases, it will control spider mites and pest insects, as well. Regular dusting every week or 10 days will make the disease-insect problem easy to handle.
Keeping in mind these points will help you take care of your rose garden, free from insects and diseases. Of course who wouldn't want to show off their beautiful garden. The time and effort you put will definitely not go wasted.
