Grow roses – keep them happy and healthy

Of all the flowers you will find at your local florist, roses are clearly one of the most popular and easily recognizable of all. Not only are they popular as cut flowers, but they are fantastic in gardens too. If you want to grow roses in your garden, there are a few points that you will need to consider. One of the main advantages of growing your own roses is that you will have your own supply of elegant blooms to fill the vases in your home when the plant is in bloom. If this is your first time, you should try growing a single plant first and then experiment with different colours so that you have a wide variety from which to choose. Here are some of the main points you will need to keep in mind when cultivating roses.

Sunlight

All plants need sunlight in order to produce food and grow. Of course, every plant requires a different type and amount of sunlight so this is very important to keep in mind before selecting a location in your garden for your new rose plant. To successfully grow roses, you will need to plant them in a spot where they will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.

Right time to plant

Timing is also extremely important when it comes to planting your roses and it will depend on the stage at which the plant has grown too. Bare root roses should be planted towards the end of winter. If you purchase roses that were grown in containers, you can plant them during the first few weeks of spring. When you grow roses, you should also make sure that you research the type or types of roses you plan on planting since some are a bit more pretentious than others. Bare root roses will also need to be soaked in water before you plant them. Those with roots should be watered well and allowed to stand until the time comes to transfer them from the pot to your garden.

Best soil

Not all soil is the same and different types of soil will have different pH levels as well as different nutrients. Roses prefer well-drained soil and they will need some fertilizer from time to time. You should shop for fertilizer designed specifically for roses and, remember to always follow the instructions. If you want to grow roses where any other plant previously grew, you should till the soil properly and add some compost to ensure that the soil is nutrient rich. Remember, transplanting your rose plant will cause a certain degree of trauma or shock which is why it is so important to ensure that the soil is just right. While you’re at it, make sure that you purchase an appropriate pesticide to keep any nasty bugs away from your precious roses. If you don’t like pesticides, you can plant specific flowers and plants around your roses that naturally repel various bugs.

These are just a few basic tips that will help you grow roses in your garden like a pro. If you want your rose plant to produce plenty of flowers, you should pick them from time to time and display them in your home instead. Remember to only pick them when they are in bud form but have started to open. If you don’t manage to pick all of your roses and some remain on the plant, you should pick them as soon as the flower starts to wither. Pruning before the winter freeze will also ensure that they grow beautifully the following season.