Roses are considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the world and are associated with love, romance, and affection. The history of roses can be traced all the way back to the ancient Greeks and Romans.
The quality of your soil will determine how successful a gardener you will be with roses. Roses thrive in rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Ensure that there is plenty of organic material in your bed which provides nutrients for plants’ roots. Old well-rotted farmyard manure is great, or chicken pellet manure is also good.
Roses will do best in a sunny area. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to bloom abundantly.
Since roses love nutrient-rich soil, they do well with frequent applications of fertiliser. Roses should be fertilised once a month from April through September using a balanced organic fertiliser such as fish emulsion or compost tea. https://eplantsireland.com/products/rose-liquid-fertiliser I’m also a fan of making a banana compost tea which is very beneficial for the roses with its high levels of potassium.
Pruning is necessary in order to keep your roses healthy and looking their best. The best time to prune most roses is in the early spring before new growth begins.
To prune, remove any dead or diseased wood first, then thin out the plant by cutting back old canes to the desired length.
Roses are susceptible to a variety of insects and diseases, so it’s important to be vigilant in monitoring them for problems. Addressing any issues early on will give you the greatest chance of success.
The most common pests and diseases include aphids, black spot, powdery mildew. Spray them with Rose Clear or make your own spray mix. I fill my spray bottle with slices of garlic, chilli pepper, washing up liquid and fill with water, leave it for a few days and always try on one rose first, but it works well!!
Roses also require plenty of water, especially hare root roses and especially during the hot summer months.
The best advice I can give is to set a reminder twice weekly on your phone -to water newly planted roses! Sounds bizarre but chances are that you will forget about them and roses will die. Rainwater isn’t enough, despite all the rain we get! They need close watering, ie -watering can!! The soil should stay evenly moist for best results.
Check out eplantsireland.com for my best selection of beautiful roses and why not treat yourself to some, or gift them to someone special!!