by Alden SmithThe rose has been a symbol of both love, war and politics for as long as man can remember. Fossilized evidence shows the rose to be 35 million years old. In a natural setting, the rose has nearly 150 varieties which are spread over the Northern hemisphere from Alaska to Mexico. People have cultivated roses for some 5,000 years. Rome had huge rose gardens in the south of Rome. Almost everyone has heard of the "War of the Roses" when, in England during the fifteenth century, the white rose symbolized York, and the red Lancaster.
Growing roses for the home garden can be successfully done if some simple rules are followed. These include the site or setting, preparation of the soil and type of soil, method of planting, fertilization and watering, and preparation for the winter months if living in a cold clime.
The setting for roses should allow for proper amount of sunshine. A southern exposure works well for this, with a minimum of 6 hours of sunshine per day. Ground should be slightly sloping if possible to allow for good drainage. If possible have the site set so that exposure to high winds during winter months is kept to a minimum. The PH balance of the soil should be 6.0 - 6.8 for best growing conditions. Roses prefer a loamy soil that is light and friable. If your soil is less than proper for roses to grow healthily, use a rose mix from your landscaping store to insure proper mixture. Sand, mulch and compost can go a long way in making a rose garden ready for planting.
When planting the rose, be mindful of the type of rose, its needs for sun, water, soil type, and fertilization. Roses generally come well established in a pot or container, and growing instructions will be labeled on the container. When planting bare root roses, it is essential to soak them in water for 8-12 hours to eliminate dehydration. Trim any dead wood after soaking, and look for Botrytis, a grey mold, found on the roots and canes of plants held in storage. If noticeable soak in water treated with Daconil. Container roses are usually in better condition. Simply trim any dead wood from the canes. Plant the rose in a hole that is large and deep enough to accept the root cluster of the plant. Make a mound in the center of the hole to support the plant, and arrange the roots evenly about the hole. Cover, but do not tamp the dirt. Water thoroughly and keep adding soil as the water lowers the level. Mound the dirt around the plant to insure the bud union is at least 1 1/2 inches below ground.
Fertilization of roses is a simple matter of being aware of the species and its fertilization needs. Species roses should be fertilized in the spring with a good general fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 at the rate of 1/2 to one cup per fertilization. Keep fertilizer at least 6 inches away from the crown, and apply to an area about 18 inches away. Work gently into the soil. Other roses will appreciate a second fertilization around June 15th. Do not apply fertilizer after August 15th to insure new growth does not begin before frost.
Water the roses about once per week to insure a consistent soil moisture. Soaker hoses work best in rose gardens.
You should dead head roses to insure proper ongoing blooming, but should discontinue this practice after October 1st to allow the rose to grow "hips." The so-called old garden varieties are very hardy, and tolerate winter much easier than many of the hybrids. Always insure you select a rose for planting in your hardiness zone to avoid the rose plant dying in the winter. Several methods are available for protecting the plant during winter months. The most common is to mound up dirt around the plant after trimming any minor dead wood. Cover the plant to a depth of 10 to 12 inches for best protection. Mulch, compost, and even evergreen branches work well for this. Insure the mulch is well drained. A rose cone is also available for protection. Never cover with these Styrofoam cones too early, as it can cause damage to the plant. If the variety is especially tender, remove the top of the cone and fill with straw. Place a brick or rock on the cone to keep it from blowing away in the winter.
Roses are easy to grow, and with the minimum of care can provide a beautiful garden for many years.
. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted our "