Caring for Roses

Roses can provide a beautiful addition to your home & garden for many years with proper care. Here are some simple tips for caring for your Petaluma Rose Company roses:

Easy Steps for Planting All Roses:

1. Dig a large hole, 24" wide by 24" deep. Include one-third compost to two-thirds soil. You can also add one cup bonemeal, one cup bloodmeal,and one Tablespoon slow-release fertilizer at this time.
2. When transplanting potted roses, be sure to wait until they are finished blooming to lessen the trauma to the plant.
3. With potted roses, try not to disturb the rootball when transferring the plant into the hole.
4. Make sure the bud union is about an inch above ground level.
5. Give the plant a good, deep soaking after you plant it.

Watering
Inadequate irrigation is the biggest culprit of rose growing. Roses love their water and sun. Potted roses require far more frequent watering than do mature plants in the garden. As the plant matures in the pot and summer temperatures increase, a regular watering schedule has to be adopted.

Fertilizing
As with soil mixes, each nursery has a preferred fertilizing program for their roses. In general, roses need their nitrogen to keep blooming and growing well. Whether it be granular, soluble or slow-release, a balanced fertilizer often works best -- triple 8, 10, 12, 15 or even 20. Minor elements needed most by roses are iron, zinc and magnesium. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the produce you choose.
Begin fertilizing at half the recommended rate when your new roses haave produced shoots of 3 to 4 inches length. Using any fertilizer earlier in the life of the plant can burn the young developing roots. But you can top-dress newly potted roses with a slow-release fertilizer because it takes longer to actually get to the root zone. As the plants grow larger, frequency and strength of fertilizer can be increased. Fertilizing right after the completion of a bloom cycle insures the best continuity of flower.

Spraying
For lush healthy bushes, spray your roses on a regular basis before problems are evident. Spray in the cool of the morning to allow quick drying of the foliage and cut down on spray damage. Make sure the roses are well-hydrated and the foliage is dry before spraying. Determine the products you plan to use and prepare a timetable to follow.