Planting and Propagation
Roses are usually chosen for their colour, but its growth performance will
depend on factors like climate of the region, soil conditions etc. Roses are
available as bare-root bushes or as plants grown in containers from Nurseries or
by mail order. Select good quality rose plant. Bare root roses cost less, are easier to plant and offer a
wide range to choose from, than container grown roses. The advantage of
container grown roses is that you can see the colour of the flowers and foliage
and have a instant plant ready to fill you garden. Potted plants have a greater survival rate than bare root plants.
Always buy roses in the largest container available, as small container grown
plants may have had their roots pruned in order to fit the container.
Planting
Roses grow best in constantly moist but well-drained soil. A soil pH between
6.5 ( slightly acidic) and 7.0 is considered best for roses. Avoid
planting in excessively sandy or clayey soils. Sand should be added if the soil is extremely
moist/ clayey. Add peat moss, dead leaves or some other organic
sources to the soil before planting the rose. Its best to prepare the soil
months in advance of planting.
The best time to plant bare root roses is in January or February up to March.
October end - November planting can also be successful if your area does not
have severe winters. Potted roses that it can be planted at almost any time. Before
planting, potted plants can be placed outdoors and watered for some
time to make the roots and canes moist. Potted roses need to be pruned when planted.
Soak
the bare root plant in a bucket of water for 1 2-24 hours before planting.
Roses flower best in sunny locations. Most types need at least 6 hours of
direct sunshine daily, preferably in the morning for flowering and growth. Try
to select a planting location that is not shaded by
buildings, trees etc.
Dig a trench of 15 inches deep and 18 inches wide with one
slanted side. Soak the area where you intend planting to make the soil more
manageable. Small roses need a hole not much more than 18 inches across. Shrub roses
need holes about three feet across. Climbers planted along a wall may need holes a
little bigger than this. In any case, the planting hole should be big enough so
the rose roots have enough space without crowding. Before planting a bare root plant trim off any long or damaged roots. Place
the juncture of roots and stem just below the soil surface. If there is a bud
union, it should be about 1 inch above the soil. Fill the hole with soil and press
it firmly down. Water thoroughly after planting.
Propagation
Propagation can be done from cuttings, by budding and from seeds. New plants by
Budding
Make a 1 inch long T shaped cut in bark of under stock, an inch or two above
soil level. For bud wood, choose a stem that has just flowered. Slice under bud
to get 1 inch bark with bud in it. Peel back under stock bark at T cut, insert
bud shield. Bud should be at least 1/4 inch below top of T. Firmly tie
bud in place with plastic or rubber strip, wrapping both above and below it but
leaving bud exposed. When bud sends out a strong new shoot the next spring, cut
of under stock growth about 1 inch above the shoot. If the bud is plump and
green, you have the start of a new rose bush.
New plants from cuttings
You can start cuttings after the first bloom. Cuttings should be 6-8" long and be cut from the parent plant.Cut
just flowered stem below a leaf, remove lower leaves and plant in sandy potting
mix. Remember that the cuttings should not be allowed to dry out. Enclose the entire pot in
a plastic bag or invert a glass jar over it. When new growth shows that the
cutting has rooted, you can remove the bag or jar.
New plants from seeds
Roses can be propagated also through seeds known as hybridizing. Select two
rose that you want to cross-pollinate. The blooms should be one third open.
Remove all the petals. Carefully remove all the golden yellow stamens at the
base inside. Place the stamens into separate. Cover the `flower with
a paper bag so that no pollen will be carried to stigmas by insects or wind.
Make cross when stigmas are sticky. Simplest is to cut flower with pollen-laden
stamens, remove petals, rub stamens onto stigmas. If cross is successful, seed
bearing ovary will swell.
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