CHARPIX™

Roses

Roses come in three basic types.

1). Floribunda

2). Tea

3). Climbers

Roses are the easiest to care of any flower I've ever tried. They are fairly hearty, but wrong kind of watering, not enough sunlight, and some diseases can get the best of the rose bush, and perhaps even kill it. Feeding the roses during the blooming and growing season is a must, or the mildew and other problems can take over. The blooms are large in hybrids, and this is vital even more so in these plants than single types of plants. We always use Ortho rose food, but there are other brands out there that work just as well. I tend to stick with name brands, because off -brands usually do not give the same results, but there is nothing wrong with trying out something new, either.

Rose sprays will help with mildew, but the systemic 3-in-1 granules raked into the top of the soil will protect against insects (aphids, for example), mildew, and other problems, and works inside of the plant, rather than just on the outside surface. It also feeds the plant, too. The blooming period takes a lot out of the plant, and it a good idea to keep a close eye on them so they do not get stressed with heat, or cold, or too much water at this time.

Roses take a lot of watering in summer months, but really they do best with low ground watering, and not spraying that hits the leaves a lot. This will contribute to mildew on their leaves if left wet for long periods of time. An occasionally washing the dust off of the leaves is good. Roses needs a good amount of sunlight, although they do well with partial shade a short portion of the day. Too much sunlight can burn the rose petals. Too much shade and mildew forms and the roses will not bloom as much.

Roses will take a lot of trimming, if necessary, and keeping the spent blooms off the plant encourages it to bloom even more. The dead flowers will turn into rose hips, and that is an indicator to the plant to stop blooming. Trimming them during the summer is a must. January is the major pruning, and cutting the canes off 18" from the ground is the general rule of thumb to trim the plant. Cutting off the dead parts should be done at this time, also, plus a little thinning of the branches if they are entangled with each other. In colder/snowy climates the canes that are left after pruning should be covered with straw, and then wrapped in burlap bags with a cord. Of course, this must be removed as soon as the weather begins warming up, and the budding leaves begin. January and February are the months that bare root roses can be planted out, but I've planted them in March and April with good results, too. Sandy loam soil works best for these plants.

Black Bacarra Rose