Rose Gardening Advice

You must have been told a million times that the hybrid teas are for veteran gardeners. But with just a little bit of research and planning, you will soon be able to grow the roses that have always held a special place in your heart.

Here are a few tips to get you started on your brave new venture:

1. Verify your climate zone and select only those hybrid teas that grow well in your zone.
2. If your summers are dry, ask for mildew-resistant plants, and if humid, for plants that can withstand some amount of heat.
3. Hybrid teas don't like to share their water, soil nutrients, or even sun so you need to space them out - at least two to four feet gap is needed for them to flourish.
4. Maintain mild acidity in the soil - ideal soil pH is 6.0 to 6.5
5. Always keep the soil moist, never let it dry out. Check moisture levels by sinking your finger into the soil - if it is damp, it's perfect.
6. Add Epsom salts to soil to improve color of the blooms.

Go for it!

Think roses and you think trouble? It doesn't have to be that way. Plant Nearly Wild Roses: the most painless of roses in garden settings! They make absolutely no demands on your time as long as you keep them well-watered and trimmed. If you feed them once a year with a well-balanced nutrient rich organic fertilizer and prune every spring, repeat flushes of abundant blooms will assault your senses throughout the season.
They are named Nearly Wild as they combine the qualities of the wild rose in a somewhat domesticated way! They retain the innate qualities of the wild rose in being self-sufficient and practically invulnerable, and at the same time, they do not spread in an uncontrolled fashion.
They produce white, pink, yellow, and dark red blooms. Each bloom has just five petals just like the authentic wild rose. Plant your roses near a wall or trellis to help them get to their maximum height.
They have a high level of resistance to diseases and pest attacks, making them a healthy and beautiful addition to your garden. However, do research your roses well before you buy and always ask for disease-resistance varieties.

Buying your roses for garden use is just a few clicks away! Several online nurseries have sprouted up online that make shopping for roses a breeze. When compared to your local nursery, online nurseries do have a much wider selection. They also have several photographs and detailed descriptions on climate zones, hardiness, disease-resistance, height, width, fragrance, etc.
You can also read the reviews and testimonials of others on the websites. Participating in impartial forums can help you narrow down the nurseries with the best after-sales track record. The most important thing you need to check is their policy on returns and exchanges. Just in case you get a withered plant, you should be able to return it.
Check the plant thoroughly before accepting the consignment. Roots should be white and firm. If they are soggy or clumped together, you need to ask for a replacement. If it is a potted plant, make sure the foliage is green and healthy with several buds, and semi-opened and fully opened blooms. The plant should not be more than double the height of the pot as this probably means that the plant is root-bound.

Having your own bush rose garden is easy. Several rose bushes are very resilient requiring little maintenance.
Hansa is a ravishing beauty with its large reddish violet blooms and leaves that turn into orange. It also boasts of a profusion of large, chunky, bright scarlet red rose hips. It grows on its own root and blooms repeatedly starting in early summer. It is shaped like a vase and grows to a height of about six feet. It is ideal for Zones 3 to 7.
Morden Sunrise Rose starts as creamy, orange colored buds opening into very dark orange and yellow blended blooms. It does well with in Zones 3 to 7. This rose too grows on its own root and reaches a height of two to three feet. It has a moderate fragrance and blooms repeatedly from June to mid-September.
Pink Double Knockout thrives in humid conditions, well suited to Zones 4 to 9. The dark pink buds open as hot pink cuplike blooms. Each bloom has 18 to 24 petals and exudes a moderate fragrance. It blooms profusely in April. A vigorous rose bush that grows on its own root.

When you hear the term organic rose gardening it almost sounds like some clever marketer is trying to cash in on the organic food boom. However as you'll see, there are plenty of good reasons to grow your roses using organic methods. So what does organic mean in this context? Simply, it's natural gardening without the use of chemicals to control bugs or artificial fertilizer.
It's only in recent history that we've become so 'clever' and think we can outsmart nature by creating chemical alternatives. Have you heard the saying "convenience is killing us"? This refers to all the processed, preservative laden, devitalized foods we consume these days that are quick and easy. No waiting around, just a quick zap in the micro wave and we're good to go. Short term gain, long term pain. Ultimately the consumption of these foods has been shown to have adverse long term effects on our health. What's this got to do with roses? Well the same principal applies. If we mess with nature, by feeding our plants on chemicals, we may see some short term gains, but long term we are damaging our beloved roses.
Humans need pro-biotics and so do your roses. These homeostatic soil organisms (HSO's) are bacteria that help break down nutrients in the soil so that the plant can assimilate them. They are your plants pro-biotics that pre-digest the organic matter in the earth. Soil naturally contains organisms such as bacteria, fungus and nematodes and they all serve an important purpose. Using chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides kills these natural life givers and destroys the relationship between plant and soil that nature intended. The results in the long term can be under performance of your rose bushes, stunted growth or even death.
Organic rose gardening is having a resurgance with rose enthusiasts. The long term results are clear and people who love their roses want them to be healthy and provide many years of pleasure. We only have to sit back and think a little to realize that for thousands of years roses have been grown the natural way. It's only in 'modern' society that we have fallen for the chemical companies hype and been lured by the convenience of chemicals. Of course another big advantage of having a natural organic garden is that our children, pets and native wildlife will not be exposed to toxic chemicals.
Now as they say " this is not rocket science"! Organic gardening is easy and can be very inexpensive. Sure you'll spend more time in the garden initially, but after all, it is your hobby and your passion, isn't it? This investment of time will pay wonderful dividends in the future. Simply leave out all the man made additives and feed your roses with natural compost. If your soil needs a boost your local nursery should be able to advise you on an all natural supplement. Start a compost pile in your yard. All your vegetable scraps should be added along with lawn clippings and leaves you collect in the garden. If you like things to be neat and tidy you can buy a composter bin with a lid, these do a great job and can sit unobtrusively in a corner of your place.
So what about pests? Good question! Nature is wonderful and has it's own built in protection system. When your roses are grown organically as we've discussed you'll find that you have far less problems with bugs and pests. However, should you be having some form of insect issue then you can buy organic pest control products. These days they are more readily available as the demand has increased substantially with gardening consumer awareness.
If your rose gardening goal is to grow large fragrant blooms and have healthy plants for years to come then give organic rose gardening a go. It's healthier for your roses and healthier for you. Happy rose gardening!

Transplanting roses involves some amount of preparation. Here are a few tips to help you make the transition less traumatic on your roses:
Whether you are going to transplant your roses to a new spot in your garden or into pots, you will need to water them well for at least 48 hours prior to transplant. If possible, transplant during winter when they are dormant. Prune the plants before transplanting as it reduces pressure on the roots allowing the roots to establish easily. Prepare pots that are much larger than the plant with good potting soil with bone meal and root hormone. If you are transplanting them into the ground, dig holes that are wider and deeper than the plant.
Gently ease the plant out of the soil by digging as far away from the plant as possible to avoid damage to the roots or stem. Mound the soil and spread roots evenly over the mound. Mulch right up to the top leaving the bud union exposed in hot climates and buried an inch deep in cold climates. Water well and check that the soil is moist and well-drained at all times.

Roses are constantly thirsty. They require more water than most plants. Keeping your rose plant's thirst quenched ensures good foliage resplendent with fragrant blooms. Caring for roses starts with learning how much to water and when.
Your rose plant needs 1 to 2 inches of water in a week.
The ideal watering systems for your rose plant are soaker hoses or a drip irrigation system. This gives your plant a regular supply of water in appropriate quantities. Each variety needs different quantities of water. It depends on the weather and soil conditions, and even on the age of your plant. Your nursery and your fellow rose gardeners will be able to guide you on the optimum quantity of water for your rose plant. Sagging leaves is the easiest way to know that your roots are drying out. The rule of thumb is to never let the soil dry out.
You can prevent onset of Powdery mildew, Black spot, and Botrytis, to a large extent by watering your rose plant only in the mornings - never in the afternoons or evenings. Avoid splashing water on to the leaves as this encourages fungal diseases. However, spray your entire rose plant once a week with clean water as this clears the dust and any insects, like spider mites, that may have settled on the leaves. Spraying also gives the foliage a fresh green look. Again, spray only in the mornings to allow the leaves to dry out during the day.
Water your rose plants up to a maximum of 4 times a week. When you water your plant, ensure that the roots get sufficient water. The soil should drain completely but retain a moist quality. You can check this by sticking your finger into the soil. If it comes out moist, it's perfect for your rose plant. If it is dry, you need to increase the water; and if it is wet, reduce it. Nurseries usually stock moisture holding crystals which may help your potted roses. You need to add less than 1 tablespoon of crystals for a 6 inch pot. Jabbing holes in the soil around the plant also aid in keeping the soil humid. Remember to water your rose plant even during winter. This enables the roots to nourish and encourage the new growth in spring.
Mulching two to three inches around your rose plant not only helps retention of moisture but also keeps the area free of weeds. Mulching also reduces the frequency of watering.
Whenever you transplant your rose bush from one place to another, whether it is within your garden, or from pot to ground, or from ground to pot, you have to water the soil well; both before and after the transition. This helps sustain the roots during the procedure and helps nourish the roots after the transplant.
The most important factor that drives your rose plant's growth is sufficient supply of water at regular intervals. Whatever you do, don't forget to water your rose plant. A well-watered rose garden gives you healthy rose plants with bright green foliage and beautiful flowers.

It is not enough to just research and plan the selection of roses for your garden. It is equally important to spend time and money in getting yourself some essential rose gardening tools if you are serious about your rose garden.
The more comfortable you are, the more likely it is you will be able to sustain your interest in gardening. Clean and sharp tools are an absolute must to make gardening easier and more enjoyable.
Gardening Gloves A good pair can offer protection from thorns and blisters. Leather gloves are ideal for rose gardening as they are sturdy and quite impenetrable. But, some gardeners feel they are too bulky and instead prefer fabric gloves. The only drawback with fabric gloves is you can get easily pricked by thorns.
Kneeling Pads or Kneelers serve to protect your knees while planting, weeding, mulching, etc. Some gardeners prefer to strap on kneelers and walk around with their hands free. These come with adjustable straps so you just need to fit it comfortably and you are ready to go. Kneeling Pads are bulky and have to be carried around wherever you go.
Shovels and Forks play a big role in digging up and turning soil while planting and mulching. Make sure that the tines of the forks are made of steel. Get both long and short handled forks and shovels. Well-padded handles offer a better grip and ease the pressure on your hands.
Gauges to measure soil pH, moisture, and light, help in ensuring you provide the right conditions for your roses.
Watering Wands have provision for regulating the water supply and directing the water to the roots. Avoid plastic water wands, as they do not last very long. Brass wands are more expensive but very durable.
Pressure Sprayers make it easier to spray fertilizers and pesticides in the right quantities. You will find this comes in very handy when your roses are faced with a pest attack.
Bypass Pruners and Loppers are absolutely essential to keep your roses healthy and blooming abundantly. Loppers aid in cutting thick canes of mature rose plants while the bypass pruners help you prune younger plants with ease. Check that the edges are sharp and clean.
Garden Rakes and Leaf Rakes are valuable in keeping your garden clean of debris. The short leaf rakes help you reach tight spots at the base of your rose plants while the larger garden rakes make it easier to rake your entire garden.
Wheelbarrow or Garden Cart provides an easy method of transportation of your pots, soil, etc. A foldable wheelbarrow with sturdy wheels facilitates loading and unloading of heavy objects with minimum discomfort.
Before buying any tool, always check if it feels comfortable in your hands and are the right size. Also, remember to purchase a good tool sharpener to keep all your tools sharp and ready for use.