Caring for Roses

 

A few years ago a sweet friend gave me two rose bushes for my birthday. My previous experience with roses had been somewhat limited. Our home in Abilene came with a few rose bushes which were planted by the previous owner. Being that the West Texas climate was a new experience for me I had no idea how to care for them and so they languished and eventually died.

I love Roses. To me they are one of the most romantic of flowers. Actually, it's a close tie between Lavender and roses as to which one I love more. Ironically, I do not like rose scented candles or perfume. I do love all things scented Lavender though?!

Roses can be high maintenance. Between pruning, black spot, dead heading and feeding they can become a full time job --- and maybe even an obsession?! I've read many internet posts, books, etc on the care of roses. Here are my favorite tips.

1. Roses love bananas, coffee grounds, tea leaves and Epsom salts. I feed mine all of the afore mentioned regularly. Just bury the bananas (peels) at the base of the plant taking care not to disturb the roots. Coffee grounds, Epsom salts (2 tblsp per gallon of water) and tea leaves watered into the soil around each plant encourages lush growth. Epsom salts sprinkled into the planting hole when first planted gives them a good start.

2. Roses are sun lovers. Plant them where they will get a good 6-8 hours of direct sun each day.

3. Roses need water. Do not water from above. Black spot- a dreaded fungal virus is spread most during humid conditions. Overhead watering promotes many diseases. Water the soil deeply a couple of times a week during dry periods.

4. Pruning and "dead-heading is important to the health of your rose bushes. (In a future post I will cover the proper way to prune.) Dead-heading is the removal of old spent blooms. This should be done regularly for continuous blooms.

5. Roses like nice clean beds. Fungal viruses thrive in debris left in the rose bed. Clean out all diseased leaves and canes. I will cover treating black spot and pests in another post.

Yes, Roses can be a high maintenance obsession but once you learn a few tricks they can be one of the most rewarding blooms in your garden. Try your hand a just one or two. I bet once you get the hang of it you'll be hooked!

 

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy