Thursday, April 28, 2011

Useful Rose Care Tips


Poems have been written about the beauty of roses; and they symbolize eternal love. With their sweet fragrance, roses are flowers that practically all home gardens endeavor to grow. Having roses of different colors to beautify a garden is no mean task and requires some amount of effort. Here are some basic rose care tips.

When planting rose bushes, make sure that you leave sufficient space between two bushes. Roses do not thrive if they are planted too close to one another. Rose bushes need a lot of space for the root network to spread out. Also, make sure that the area where you are planting the bushes receives ample sunlight.

Many people opt for bare root planting as it gives them an idea about the health of the root system. If you intend planting bare roots, then it should be done during the peak of winter. Refrain from bare root planting during the fag end of winter. You can also grow roses in containers in the middle of winter and when spring comes, these grown rose bushes would just need to be transplanted in the garden.

During the initial 20 days of planting rose bushes, make sure that you water them everyday. In addition, feed the bushes with a balance fertilizer on and off. The type of fertilizer depends on the rose bushes you have planted.

Pruning is an important part for maintaining the health of rose bushes. The start of winter is the time to do the pruning. Prune the heights of the bushes to on-third their original heights. Gardening experts advise that pruning should be done 6 weeks before severe cold sets in. When you prune the bushes, it will help them to grow as it gets rid of dead branches and leaves.

Mulching will help to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from taking root. You can use wood chips and grass as mulch. In winter, cover the roots with more soil and then add a layer of mulch on top of the soil. This will help to keep the roots warm during the cold winter months.

Roses are prone to fungal infections and care should be taken not to let the leaves be constantly moist. In case you notice a fungal infection, visit the nearest garden supplies store and get a fungicide to treat the bushes. You can opt for organic or inorganic fungicide. Usually, fungicides are put at the base of the bushes and then they are watered. If you are worried about aphids attacking your beautiful roses and rose bushes, then use ladybugs to stem the attacks.