Authored by Kristian Keefer in Gardening
Published on 01-27-2009
With more than 2000 types of roses, there are many options if you want to grow roses in your own backyard. The type of roses you grow will depend on the climate where you live, how large of an area you have for roses and even your skill level at growing roses.
It can be quite difficult to grow healthy roses. Not all types of roses need the same climate conditions. You need to know all the growing requirements for the variation of rose you want to grow. For example, many roses grow about two or three feet high, but miniature roses can be as small as ten inches high. And of course, there are climbing roses that can grow to heights as tall as 30 feet! Some roses can do quite well in colder climates, while others need to be in warmer temperatures.
Some roses do well in Northern climates, while others thrive in Southern states. In order to grow roses, you must carefully follow all instructions that are provided with the rose variety you purchase to plant. You can talk to the flower distributor for further instructions and guidance when growing your roses. If you purchase roses from a flower grower in your area rather than a nationwide magazine or website, you are more likely to find flowers that will flourish in your state.
Roses will need a lot of sunlight. Every day a rose should have up to eight hours of direct sunlight. Ask a local grower how to help boost your roses exposure to sunlight or heat if you live in an area with more cold and dreary days.
Use caution when watering your roses. They do need a great deal of water, however, you should never flood the rose. Ensure that you water the roots well. A good way to ensure the proper flow of water to your roses is to use drip irrigation. As the name implies the roses will be watered by a constant drip rather than being blasted by the house.
Fertilize your roses with the fertilizer as instructed by the grower or nursery where you purchased your roses. Always plant your roses in soil that stays moist without being too wet. The soil needs to be rich in nutrients so that the roses can thrive.
Try to keep your roses disease free by making good choices of which roses to grow from the start. Rose varieties that have been around for a long time rather than new variations have the most resistance to diseases. You should know that many of the roses that have been specially bred will be more prone to diseases.
Most roses can be planted in the month of May or even June for ideal growth and to avoid any temperatures that can create a frost. Protect your plants in the cold weather months if you live in an area where temperatures drop in the winter. If the temperatures start to drop to less than thirty-two degrees for several nights in a row, you can start protecting the flowers . The bottom of the roes can be insulated with mulch. Soil will work as well. Rose canes can be covered with leaves and straw.
As mentioned, there are so many types of roses that no single growing instructions can be provided. When in doubt contact a nursery or grower in your area.
