Roses for the Home Gardener

By Debbie Falton, Master Gardener

Q. I would like to grow some roses. What advice can you give on their care and maintenance?

A. Roses are the most popular flowers in the world and have been for centuries. In Florida they are high-maintenance plants because of our climate and abundance of insects. If you like to spend time working in the garden then growing roses can be a very rewarding pastime.

There are many varieties of roses to choose from. Consider your intended use in selecting your plants. You may want an outdoor display in your landscape. There are roses that are superior as cut flowers to use indoors. Certain roses do well growing in tubs or pots on a sunny patio. Color, scent, form and size are all things to take into account when shopping for roses. Check out your local nurseries and garden centers. There are also many mail order catalogues that specialize in roses. New disease-resistant roses have come on the market these past few years that bear looking into.

Most of the roses sold are grafted plants. This means that the top part of the plant is joined or grafted on to a bottom root system or rootstock. The rootstock, Rosa fortuniana, is highly recommended to grow best in our part of Florida. Roses on this rootstock produce more flowers and grow more vigorously than other rootstocks. Roses shipped from other states may be grafted on less desirable rootstocks. Consider this when choosing your roses.

When planting your roses, choose a site that will get direct sun for a least half the day. Florida soils are typically sandy causing water and nutrients to leach out quickly. Soil amendments such as compost, manure and topsoil can improve the water holding capacity of the soil and promote better growth. Slow release fertilizers can be added at planting time to get your roses off to a good start. Mulch will help to keep down weeds and hold in moisture.

After planting, your roses will need regular applications of fertilizer once new growth begins. A fertilizer such as 6-6-6 can be applied. Weekly applications of a fungicide will keep your roses from developing black spot and powdery mildew. These fungal diseases can spread rapidly in hot and humid weather and weaken your plants. Keep an eye out for aphids, beetles and thrips attacking your roses. There are many chemical preparations that can keep these insect infestations down. Your Polk County Extension Office (863-519-8677) can help you select the right product.

Pruning is also important in keeping roses healthy. Remove dead wood and canes that show signs of disease. Dead heading, removing flowers after they have bloomed, improves the appearance of the plant and produces additional growth. More severe pruning should be done twice each year to keep plants manageable in size. March and late August are recommended times to cut out old unsightly canes and spindly growth so light and air can circulate better.

With special care, growing roses will reward you with beautiful bouquets and eye catching beauty in your landscape. For more detailed information check out http://polkhort.ifas.ufl.edu/documents/publications/Roses.pdf.

Debbie Falton, Master Gardener, Polk County Extension Service, UF/IFAS, volunteers in the schools teaching youngsters about gardening. Send your questions/pictures to: Master Gardening, c/o Polk County Cooperative Extension Service, P. O. Box 9005, Drawer HS03, Bartow, FL 33831, e-mail gammatwo@ufl.edu, or call the Master Gardener Hotline at 863-519-8677 Ext. 118 and 119. Responses will be published as space allows. Visit www.polkmastergardener.ifas.ufl.edu or www.polkhort.ifas.ufl.edu.