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University
of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets
Planting
Roses
Growing beautiful roses begins with proper siting and proper
planting techniques. The following information describes the
first steps in growing healthy and attractive roses.
Roses establish quickly and are more resistant to pests
and diseases when planted in an ideal location. Roses require
at least six hours of direct sunlight for optimal flowering and
growth, though full sun is preferable. An eastern exposure, which
receives morning sun, is ideal for roses. Choose a planting location
that is not shaded by buildings or trees to maximize the amount
of sunshine the plants receive. Avoid planting roses near trees
and shrubs that will compete for moisture and nutrients. Make
sure the site is open to allow for air movement. Also consider
water drainage to or from the planting site. Roses grow best
in well-drained soil and decline with standing water around their
root system.
Roses can be planted from early spring into early fall.
Earlier planting is normally preferred to late planting. Spring
or early summer planting allows plenty of time for good root
establishment before winter. Other advantages of spring planting
are that selection of cultivars and availability of quality plants
are usually better than later in the season.
Planting time varies based on how plants are packaged. Bare
root roses should be planted in early to mid-spring before the
new shoots start to develop--usually late March into early April,
unless soils remain wet. Potted roses can be planted anytime
from spring to early fall. Spring planting should be done after
danger of killing frost, usually late April to mid-May.
Roses are available as bare-root plants or potted. Bare-root
plants are usually less expensive than potted plants, but potted
plants have a greater survival rate than bare-root plants. Both
are graded to insure quality, with Grade 1 indicating the highest
quality.
Bare-root plants and potted plants require special handling
prior to planting. Plant bare root roses as soon as possible
after purchasing or receiving them through the mail. Unwrap plants
from the packaging and soak the root system in a bucket of water
for about an hour prior to planting. If planting must be delayed
for a few days, keep the plants moist and in a cool, dark location,
or place them into a temporary soil trench in a shaded location.
Prune out any damaged, dead or broken roots and stems before
planting. Potted plants require little pre-planting attention.
Keep plants watered and in a sunny location until they can be
planted in the garden. Prune out any damaged, dead or broken
stems before planting.
Roses thrive in a loamy, well-drained garden soil with
a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Begin with a soil test to determine pH and
nutrient levels so that corrections can be made, if needed, as
the soil is being prepared. See GreenShare
Factsheet on soil testing for more information.
Most soils, whether clay or sandy, benefit from the addition
of organic matter which improves drainage, aeration, and nutrient
holding capacity. Spread a two to four inch layer of organic
matter on the soil surface. Organic matter sources include compost,
rotted manure, leaf mold, peat moss, composted sewage sludge,
fine grain potting bark or other source. Then, apply three pounds
of superphosphate per 100 square feet to encourage root growth.
This is the only nutrient added at planting. Finally, turn the
organic matter and superphosphate into the soil with a shovel
or garden spade to a depth of 12 inches.
If planting a rose in an existing bed, dig out enough soil
to form a hole approximately 15 inches deep and 18 inches wide.
Mix three ounces of superphosphate and approximately three shovelfuls
of organic matter with the soil removed from the hole. This becomes
the backfill soil for the new plant.
Plant spacing varies according to the growth habit of the
rose plant. Plants growing too closely together will be tall
and spindly and produce only a few small flowers. Follow these
general spacing guidelines for best results:
Hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas: 18 to 30 inches
Climbers: 8 to 12 feet for climbing fences; 3 feet apart
for climbing walls
Miniatures: 12 to 15 inches
Shrub Roses: As far apart as their mature height
Once the soil is prepared, dig a
hole approximately 15 inches deep and 18 inches wide. If planting
bare root roses, form a
small mound of soil in the center of the planting hole. Then,
set the plant on the peak of the mound and spread the roots down
the sides. Begin filling the hole with the prepared soil mixture,
making sure that the graft union or "knob" on the plant is just
above ground level, which allows for some settling. Carefully
work the soil mixture around and over each root. Add water to
settle the soil around the roots and finish filling the hole.
Once set, mound the canes with an additional four to six
inches of soil to prevent withering of the canes before the roots
become established. Once the new shoots begin to develop and
the danger of frost is past, remove this soil slowly, over a
week's time. If planting a potted plant, remove it from its container
and hold it in the hole so the top of the soil ball is at ground
level. A common problem is planting too deep; make sure the plant
is placed at the same depth it was previously growing in the
container.
Fill the hole with the prepared soil mixture. Water the
plant well to allow the backfilled soil to settle around the
root ball. Add more soil if necessary.
Water at planting as described above, making sure the entire
root mass is wet. Plants require an inch of water weekly. If
rainfall is insufficient, apply water by irrigation through the
first growing season to aid plant establishment. Soak the soil
to a depth of 12 inches at each watering to encourage deep rooting.
Do not apply water from overhead, which encourages disease problems;
water at soil level.
Mulching is recommended after planting. Apply a two-inch
layer of mulch to reduce water loss from evaporation during the
summer months. Mulch also increases the organic matter content
of the soil, moderates soil temperature and suppresses weed growth.
Adapted from Jane Martin
and Angie Eckert, Ohio State University Extension, 2000
Pesticides
are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels.
Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach
of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers
immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never
be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.
When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement
is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials.
Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for
the state of use.
The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury
or property damage.
For more
information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline
at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island;
Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.
University
of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension provides equal program
opportunities.
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