Roses have long been cherished for their beauty, elegance, and memorable scent. They have come to represent love and passion (red roses), peace and purity (white roses), and grace and gratitude (pink roses). In general, roses are not overly difficult to grow and should not be intimidating to the beginning gardener. With that said, there are some general rules and tips to follow when planting these vibrant wonders of the plant world.
Test Your Soil
Ensure your soil has the proper pH balance to sustain and nourish your roses. There are many different soil testing kits on the market, and they can range from the very basic and affordable to the technologically complex and costly. Find the one that best fits your budget and sensibilities, and test a sample of the soil you will be using for your roses. Ideally, you want a near neutral range, which is anywhere from 5.5 – 7.0. It’s generally agreed that 6.5 is perfect for the home-grower. By making certain your soil has the right levels of acid and alkaline levels, you are – quite literally – laying the foundation for winning roses.
Find Your (Sun)Light
Rosebushes love the sun. They need to be planted in a space that gets at least five or six hours of full sunlight every day. Roses grown in shadier areas or areas of indirect sunlight will still grow, but they won’t be as hale and hearty as their counterparts grown in the direct sun.
Stay Hydrated
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how many people simply forget to water their rosebushes. If need be, set a weekly reminder on your phone’s calendar to alert you to watering time. You will need to water at least once per week in the early phases of growing. Bear in mind that your location and the moistness of your soil are important factors to consider when watering. In drier places, you’ll have to water a bit more often. In wetter climes, you’ll water less. Also, don’t plant your roses in lowland areas where even small puddles could form around them; this is a surefire way to lose your bushes.
Monitor Your Plants
Keep a close eye on how your roses are growing and developing. If you see black spots on the petals or leaves, gently pluck away those petals/leaves. The spots are a type of fungi and can make your plant vulnerable to other kinds of mold or disease. Many types of roses sold today have been bred to resist fungi and other maladies.
Another intruder to look out for is the Japanese beetle. These pests have been the mortal enemy of the rosebush for centuries. If you spot one on the new leaves of your plant, you have a couple of options. Since Japanese beetles are slow-movers and infest very gradually, you can pluck them away or purchase poisons or traps to kill them.
Other pests that prey on roses include the following:
Aphids
Deer
Spider mites
Stem borers
By staying mindful and checking your roses daily, you can stay one step ahead of these beasts and guarantee the success of your rosebushes.