Growing beautiful roses can be easy when you follow these basic tips!
Hardiness / Variety: Because roses are made up of many species, there is a big difference in survivability when weather conditions can be extreme like here in the Miami Valley. Types of roses are referred to as hybrid teas, grandifloras, climbers, landscape roses and ‘knock outs’ primarily.
It is important to know how the roses are produced and grown to understand why some are hardier to cold temps (tougher) than others. The method used to start new plants and the variety of the rose makes a huge difference when the weather is more severe and the hardiness of the plant is marginal.
When we understand the way these plants are produced we can see why some plants survive and others do not. Some of the plants are “budded” to “root stock” and others are produced by rooting cuttings. The budded plants have a different root system from the top of the plant which can be a vulnerable point in the plant when it comes to hardiness. On the other hand, the plant produced by rooting a cutting is on its own roots. Therefore the previously mentioned vulnerability is avoided. Knock Out® and landscape roses are produced by rooting cuttings. Much of the top on these plants die back to the ground, and when the dead top is removed, the roots are still alive. This allows the roots to respond quickly sending out many new shoots.
Fertilization: Roses should be fed twice a year, early spring and mid-summer. Avoid any fertilizing after early August to avoid promotion of any late growth that could be damaged by an early freeze in the fall. MVG suggests applying Rose-tone. Rose-tone is a premium rose food designed to supply the necessary nutrients for growing prize winning roses.
Purchase Rose-tone online for curbside pickup here.
Learn more about Rose-tone here.
Watering: During dry periods be sure to water your roses so they get a good inch of water every 7 to 10 days. This amounts to a good soaking. Try to keep the water off the foliage to help prevent leaf diseases. This watering is particularly important in late fall so the plants are fully hydrated when going into the late fall months and into winter.
Disease: To keep your rose plants free of foliar diseases, you may want to dust or spray them with a fungicide every couple of weeks.
Pruning: Pruning roses really depends on the type of rose you have. It is always good, though, to remove dead or damaged wood and leaves. Deadheading spent blooms also encourages more blooms.
Winter Protection: In a normal winter, some roses need a form of winter protection or they can be damaged. Styrofoam rose cones have been available for years to provide protection from winter’s cold temperatures. However, they are, at best, questionable protection. Mulching and mounding soil around the crown of the plant is recommended.
Do you have additional rose questions? We’re always happy to answer your gardening and plant-related questions whether it’s in person, over the phone or through our website. Ask a Question Here.
