By: Ted W. Mills, ARS Consulting Rosarian and Judge
The lyrics to the familiar song goes something like this: "I never promised you a rose garden..." I prefer to eliminate the word "never" and approach it from a positive note. My desire is to promise you a rose garden. To do that I will present basic steps in making that promise a reality. My mission is not to perform the actual work involved, but rather furnish a roadmap that leads to a rose garden of beauty. You, yourself, must perform the labor and supply the materials.
Don't get the idea that the assignment is too hard and that your friends and neighbors have cautioned you about growing roses. That is a perception that all established rosarians must work to eliminate. It is true that some effort must be exerted, but doesn't everything worthwhile require work?
Let's get started with the roadmap. First you must be mentally prepared. Make up your mind that you want to grow roses and that you love the sight of them. Once that is achieved, select a sunny spot in your yard that has good drainage. If the soil is deficient in fertility, amend it with organics such as manures or composted vegetation. The addition of sand and materials such as perlite or gypsum will enhance its condition. Of course there are several commodities that enrich soil and a good nursery can provide these at low cost. Now that the fall of the year is upon us, it is advisable to prepare new beds while the weather permits. Waiting until spring planting time usually causes delay due to wet conditions in the soil.
Next, choose plants that are of Grade #1 quality. This means at least three strong, lively canes are present. Beware of paraffin coated plants. It is a good policy to place orders for new plants in the early fall to be delivered in the spring at planting time. Beware of depending on pretty pictures in catalogues that tend to whet your appetite for ordering. Become familiar with the variety and inquire about its strong points and also its weaknesses. There are some "dogs" hiding in pretty pictures. Ask a Consulting Rosarian about their experiences with certain roses.
A rose garden requires certain tools of the trade. Among these helpful articles are sprayers, pruners, hoses, shovels, rakes, etc. If you are about to enter rose growing, purchase these items before spring arrives. If you already own them, be sure they are in good working order and ready to be utilized. Fall is a good time to make needed repairs or replacements.
At last, spring is on the horizon and you have prepared your new rose beds during the fall. Now it is time for the newly ordered plants to arrive. Schedule your activities so that immediate attention is given to newly arrived plants. Allowing them to set in a garage or work shed for extended periods of time is inviting serious plant damage. After pruning the canes and sealing the ends, soak them overnight. The next day should be planting time for the sooner this task is done the better. Be sure and cover the exposed canes with a mulching material to prevent dehydration. Keep the mound moist and don't remove the covering mulch until all danger of frost or freeze is over. As soon as the bud eyes appear on the canes, begin your feeding program. Since roses are heavy feeders, apply fertilizer frequently. A combined program that includes chemicals and organics is preferable for good growth. Feeding of organics is every two months while the optimum feeding cycle for chemicals is every two weeks. Fertilizing should be stopped in September in most areas.
Spraying is essential to ensure healthy plants. Insects and diseases attack bushes, and roses seem to be a major attraction of both. A well-planned schedule that is exercised with consistency is the best policy for the rosarian. Consulting Rosarians, nurserymen, or the web page of the American Rose Society, www.ars.org, can provide excellent advice on spraying.
Rose bushes are actually fruit trees. To provide cycles of bloom, the spent blooms must be cut. Failure to do so allows the bloom to fruit by developing what is known as a hip. These hips contain seeds that result in future plants.
The last mile marker on the road map to a beautiful rose garden is a commodity known as water. It is the most important ingredient in growing roses. The good rosarian knows that the root system must remain moist if the plant is to survive. At least 6 to 10 gallons of water must be applied weekly, provided it does not rain. There are several systems of water application and the rosarian should use what is best to deliver this valuable commodity. A garden hose is a worthy companion to the rosarian and it should not be left on the reel. Water - water - water - that's most important.
Now that I have given you the basics of how to grow roses, my promise to you is that you will have a good rose garden if you follow the map.
Remember this last piece of advice: If you really want to enjoy your roses, share them with other people, especially the sick and shut in. Make me that promise as my reward from you.