The Rose, From French murals to Italian sculptures, from romantic novels to religious symbolism, roses have always had a prominent place in the world. They are not only easy to grow but also one of the most varied flowers on the planet. They can be found in almost every colour in the spectrum and provide any room with much-needed liveliness.
If you want to grow better roses or are just starting out, here are 5 tips:
Love blossoms on Valentine’s Day
The winter and early spring are the best for encouraging flowering in roses. The best time to plant fresh cuttings is between September and December. Most varieties of roses may also be planted in early spring. In either case, the plants will begin to show buds around mid-Jan and will be in full bloom around Valentine’s Day. Sequence and timing are everything here. So, make sure that the time for planting and harvesting is correct.
Milk as a growth booster and pesticide
Spraying water mixed with milk regularly ensures new growth for roses. If you’ve been struggling to see results, milk may help. It is most effective to provide about 2 tablespoons of milk per plant. According to renowned professor of horticulture, Jeff Gilman, spraying a mixture of 1-part milk and 2-part water every week is a major booster for rose growth. In addition, milk is an effective fungicide, disinfectant, and insect repellent. Milk contains lactoferrin, a known bactericide and fungicide. Use milk in moderation to see growth.
Bare-root roses, which arrive dormant, offer the widest selection of varieties but also require more TLC in the months after planting.
Plant Roses Properly
Planting your bare-root or container roses accurately will ensure they get off to a good start.
- The seeding hole needs to be deep enough and wide enough to support the plant’s roots. The area needs to have excellent drainage since roses don’t like wet feet.
- Mix a reasonable amount of garden compost, peat moss, or different organic matter with the soil that was removed from the planting hole. Use some of this compound at the bottom of the planting hole and place the rose plant in the hole.
- The plant’s crown should be at ground level in mild climates and 2 to 3 inches below ground level for cold climates.
- Fill the hole partially with the soil mixture and add slow-release fertilizer.
- Water thoroughly, and then finish filling the hole with the remaining soil.
- Water again, then mound loose soil around the canes to preserve the rose while it acclimates to its new site.
- If you’re planting numerous rose bushes together, align them at least 3 feet apart to allow ample developing room as they mature.
Cuttings must be tilted
Rose cuttings are usually done at angles or slants. But most people plant cuttings vertically straight after they have been cut at an angle. This is much less effective, and it takes longer for the slanted cut to connect to the underlying soil. Instead, plant the cuttings at an angle (about 60 degrees) to the ground. This way, the roses grow and spread horizontally instead of climbing vertically. They will also gain traction faster with the soil.
Walking on eggshells
In addition to using milk, eggshells can be used as an effective source of calcium for the plants. The more calcium roses get, the bigger and sturdier their stems will be. Simply collect eggshells, crush them into a fine powder, and sprinkle them around the plants every. Do not throw uncrushed eggshells around your plants as they take longer to decompose.
RELATED: Non Toxic plants for the bathroom
Going Bananas
One of the best sources of potassium for both humans and roses is the banana. Roses love bananas, or rather banana peels. Banana peels contain phosphorus, a micro-nutrient that promotes faster flowering. But, don’t just swing banana peels at your roses. Add them to your compost mix or bury a couple of peels per month around the rose plants. The soil will automatically enrich itself with phosphorus. If timed correctly, you should see a marked improvement in flowering. If you are planning for spring, start doing this around January.
You will see a big improvement in the growth, flowering, and health of your roses if you follow the above tips and follow a weekly schedule for taking care of roses. Enjoy the process and your garden. As Dale Carnegie once said, “We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.”
Show them off
Roses have long been cherished for their delicate and fragrant cut flowers. But, no roses are lovelier than those picked from your private garden. Here are a few tips for maintaining your cut roses:
- Roses will remain the longest when they are cut quickly after the bud stage when the petals are open.
- Use hand pruners or garden scissors with sharp blades to cut the stems without damaging their water uptake channels.
- Cut roses when they are dewy fresh and hydrated (in morning or evening), not when the plant may be stressed from heat.
- Recut the rose stems right before putting them in a vase. This helps eliminate air bubbles that prevent them from taking up water. Also, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle so they don’t rest flat on the bottom of the vase.
- Strip off any lower leaves that fall below the water line to avoid rot and bacterial growth. Above the waterline, leave as much foliage as possible, which will help to draw up water.
- Change the water periodically—every day if possible—to remove any bacteria. Also, recut the flower stems every few days to increase water absorption.
