Channel 7: Rose Tips

Planting:

• Make sure you plant your rose in a location that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day.  They can be planted in a garden bed or a container (if the are planted in a container, they will need to be planted in the ground in the fall for them to overwinter here in Colorado).
• Dig a hole that is twice as wide and just deeper than the rose container.  Put a small cone shaped pile of soil in the bottom.  Remove the rose from the container and put in the hole.
• You should plant your rose bush 1″ below where the knot (this is where the strong shoots come up from the roots) is located.  Spread the roots carefully over the cone shaped pile of soil.
• You can add bonemeal to the planting hole.  You should never fertilize a new rose bush with anything other bonemeal.  Compost and peat moss are also good amendments to use with your planting hole.  This helps break up the compacted, clay soil and add drainage
• Put soil around the rose roots and pack firmly.  Fill the hole with water and let it soak in.  Then refill the hole with soil again.

Phil will bring some beautiful examples of roses of different varieties.

Other general tips for rose care during the month of May:

• Plant your roses before it gets hot
• Prune roses and seal cane ends
• Pull back mulch from around the roses to help the soil warm and reduce fungus
• Watch for aphids and other insects, try to use strong water streams or insecticidal soap to control insects

If time allows Phil may also have Bertha demonstrate how to prune or dead-head the spent blooms on the rose.