Take care of your roses
Beautiful roses are found all around the world,with their sweet smell and fantastic blooms.Roses are mostly associated with love and affection, you will find some sort of rose bush in nearly every garden.
Roses in healthy condition and stress free are less likely to contract insects and diseases,unhealthy roses will not grow corrrectly and you will not get a good show of roses from the individual plant.
In the first 20 or so days after planting your roses they need to be watered daily to help the rose grow. Fertilizers must be used to give your plant a head start.Most fertilizers can be purchased from many different flower nurseries.Plant your roses about one inch below crown level and then tamp the soil in and around it,do not damage the root ball and alway’s keep the crown uncovered.
The rewards for all your hard work done can be beautiful flowers which can be cut and also enjoyed inside. Care should be taken not to damage the stems of the rose when removing flowers. First year roses should be allowed to bloom without being pruned too much. After the rose bush matures the flowers can then be pruned regularly.
If you plan to plant many rose varieties in your garden bed, then do not plant them all next to each other. Roses will grow better if you can maintain a proper distance between the plants. In early spring plant bare root roses, and transplant young roses if needed. Check soil pH and add lime if pH is below 6.5. Prune established roses to shape the bushes, remove dead or damaged leaves and open up the interior to allow for good air circulation.
I have a few climbers and when all the frosts have gone i prune the old stems down as this helps new stronger shoots to form. Sometimes i will find a little fungal disease and i’ll spray the plant while dormant.Most gardeners will use fertilizer on rose plants normally thoughtout the months until September.
Mid April is the time to look for slugs around the plants base, put a small amount of slug pellets down this normally sorts out the problem.If you find other insects inhabiting the plant use a systemic spray which you can purchase at any garden centre.Keep your eye open for any unwanted shoots on the rootstock and remove them,when the weather gets warmer put some organic mulch at the base of the plant.
Growing roses in a cold climate can cause you a few problems in winter ,but this is easily overcome.To help rose plants through harsh winters just cover the bottom of the plant with earth or compost after the ground has frozen.Climbing roses can be taken down from their supports laid down on the ground and covered with soil, this procedure is only viable for the smaller climbing roses.
