Care for Rose Plants

Beginning

• Roses need nutrient-rich soil with a pH of about 6.5. Before planting a rose plant on your property, find out what kind of soil the ground is. Sandy, desert regions and areas that have hard clay dirt need more nutrition and fertilizer to aid in the rose plant's growth. Moist earth that is rich in humus in regions that have plenty of wooded areas naturally possess the pH to nourish a rose plant. Prepare your soil before planting the rose plant by adding fertilizers and peat moss. Vermicompost, which consists of compost material mixed with worm castings, is a good choice. Mix the compost and peat moss in a 1 foot deep hole. Place the plant in the hole and pack it in using the earth that was removed while digging the hole. The rich vermicompost will nourish the plant while the peat moss will help it retain water and nutrients in the ground. Most home gardeners will rarely plant a rose garden from seed. Instead, start with a seedling that can be purchased at most plant nurseries and garden shops.

Growing Care

• Water the rose plant once a week unless it is the hot season in a desert climate. In this case, water your rose plant once a day, and make sure it is in a shaded area to avoid sun damage. Since rose plants have strong, deep-digging root systems, they require long, slow drinks of water, as opposed to frequent shallow watering. Build a reservoir around the base of your rose plant with either a mound of dirt or stones. Mulch the area with about 5 inches of peat moss to aid in water retention. To give the plant a long and slow drink, place your water hose into the peat moss and turn it on medium-low pressure. Let it water the plant for about 10 minutes, or until the reservoir is full. Before watering the rose plant, sprinkle nutrients like plant calcium powder lightly over the peat moss.

Pruning and Maintenance

• Many think that the best time to prune your rose plant is after it has bloomed. Removing the rose hips after the petals have fallen is known as "deadheading," but many gardeners prefer to leave the hips on the plant. In older rose plants, twisted, wooden-looking vines that wrap around other parts of the plant are known as canes. Remove any canes with sharp pruning shears. Remove any dead growth to stimulate regrowth. You can also choose to allow your rose to produce runners, or vines that will climb structures and bloom more fragrant roses.