 |
|
 |
Intro: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Drip hose: A hose that drips water at ground level rather than spraying it into the air |
|
|
|
| |
| When building a mound around your plant, bring in extra soil--don't disturb the soil that's already protecting the roots. Magnesium sulfate will help your roses bloom more often and in deeper colors. Once your rose bush is established and the first bloom is over, add Epsom salts (a handy source of magnesium sulfate) to its diet each month. Dissolve 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of Epsom salts in 2 quarts (1.9 liters) of water before applying to the soil. |
|
To keep your roses happy, practice these maintenance tips: Keep watering about an inch (2.5 centimeters) a week. Use a water gauge (the kind that's used to measure rainfall) to keep track; you can find one at your local nursery. Instead of frequent light waterings, rely on less-frequent but deeper waterings to reach the rose bush's roots. Using a drip hose will keep the branches dry but still deliver plenty of water. If you can't use a drip hose, water early in the morning so leaves and branches can dry out before dusk--this way they'll avoid many of the fungi and diseases that attack damp rose plants. Mulch the area in summer if your summers are hot. Shredded bark, buckwheat hulls, ground corn cobs, or leaves can keep the roots moist and cool in summer. Cover the soil with about 2 inches (5 centimeters) of mulch when the soil is damp. Fertilize your roses after the first bloom. Check with your nursery for a suitable rose fertilizer, and follow directions on the package. Generally, you'll only need to fertilize them in the spring and throughout the growing season, according to directions on the fertilizer's label. Winterize your roses by stopping fertilizer about 6 weeks before the first anticipated frost. In late fall, also stop deadheading flowers, so you don't encourage the plant to keep blooming with winter coming on. When consistent frosts begin in mid-fall, build a soil mound around the rose's base, 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 centimeters) high. Later during the fall, apply mulch 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) deep over this mound. Remove any remaining leaves at this time, too. Remove the winter mound in early spring, when the ground begins to thaw. Work gently, using a hose to slowly erode the mound while protecting the buds trying to grow beneath. With proper planting and continued care, your roses should be beautiful. In fact, you might even consider competing in a local fair or rose show--after all this work, you'll want to show off your gorgeous blooms! -end-   All steps at once (printable version) |
|
Keep your roses happy
