Rose

Author: Zhu Xiuzhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Roses are a widely distributed and famous type of flower, cultivated in most countries and regions around the world, and are grown almost everywhere in China. Therefore, roses are one of the main types of flowers cultivated in household gardens. Household roses are mainly divided into three aspects: ground planting, pot planting, and use as floral materials.
Ground Planting: Primarily used for home gardens, broadly including the greening of residential community courtyards. Since roses are sun-loving plants, they are often planted on the south side of houses or in places with ample sunlight. Climbing roses can also be planted on garden fences to achieve excellent ornamental effects.
Pot Planting: With changes in living conditions, especially for those living in cities, many have moved into apartment buildings, making pot planting the primary method for city rose enthusiasts.
Floral Materials: Essentially, it refers to the floral decoration of modern residential homes. With the development of the economy, culture, and society, the use of rose cut flowers in homes will increase, eventually becoming the main form of household roses.
(2) Repotting: As rose seedlings grow, the original pots may no longer meet the plant's needs for growth and development. At this point, it is necessary to repot into a larger pot, but do not change to one that is too large at once. Generally, the new pot should be 3 to 5 cm wider in diameter than the original one. When repotting, gently remove the plant from the original pot. First, add a layer of soil to the bottom of the new pot, place the original soil ball in the center, and fill the surrounding area with soil. After filling, either gently press the soil down with your hands or wait for the soil to settle after watering before filling it back up. Repotting can be done year-round since it does not damage the original roots.
(3) Pruning: For potted roses grown at home, pots are generally not too large, so after repotting once or twice, the pot size should no longer be increased. When pruning, gently remove the plant from the original pot, trim about two-thirds of the old roots, and replant it, filling the pot with fresh soil. Since pruning involves removing a large number of old roots, the above-ground part of the plant should be pruned appropriately. Pruning is best done in the spring, as this is when roses are in dormancy, preventing an imbalance between the above- and below-ground parts and promoting healthy growth. If pruning is done during the growing season, excessive root damage can lead to insufficient water and nutrient supply, causing weak growth or even plant death.
Whether potting, repotting, or pruning, two key points must be noted:
1. Leave a rim when filling the pot, about 2 to 3 cm deep, roughly one-tenth of the pot's height.
2. After planting, the first watering must be thorough, ensuring water drains from the bottom.
Water and Fertilizer Management for Potted Roses:
Due to limited space and roses' preference for nutrients, fertilization is crucial for potted roses. First, apply base fertilizer during repotting or pruning. Slow-release organic fertilizers like horse manure can be used, placed at the bottom of the pot before adding the growing medium. Alternatively, slow-release tablets can be mixed into the soil, dissolving gradually to provide nutrients to the roots.
In addition to base fertilizer, regular topdressing is necessary. There are two methods:
1. Soil topdressing: The simplest way is to fertilize while watering, using homemade fertilizers like water from washing milk bottles, spoiled eggs, or fish heads. The process is the same as for outdoor planting—fertilize weekly or every few days while watering.
2. Foliar spraying (also known as root-external topdressing): Mix potassium dihydrophosphate and urea in a 3:4 ratio to create a solution, then spray it on the leaves using a small sprayer. This method also provides nutrients. Fertilizing should follow the principle of "less quantity, more frequency." During peak growing seasons like spring and autumn, fertilize more; during slower growth in summer, fertilize less. In winter, if placed in a cold area where roses are dormant, no additional fertilization is needed.
Watering for potted roses varies by season, but the general rule is to maintain moist soil. Since home gardening doesn't involve measuring moisture content, hand testing is often used. If the soil feels moist, it usually meets the plant's needs.
When using plastic pots, water evaporation is slower around the pot but the surface may dry out quickly. In such cases, rely on the pot's total weight to determine watering needs. Initially, if you lack experience, moisten the growing medium before potting to feel its weight. Later, simply lift the pot to check if it needs water.
Sometimes, the surface soil may appear dry, especially in summer, but the bottom may still be moist. Watering based solely on surface dryness can lead to overwatering, causing root rot over time. Some believe plastic pots are unsuitable for roses, but this is due to applying the same techniques as for clay pots, which are not ideal for plastic pots.
Roses require significant water, especially in hot, dry summers, sometimes needing two waterings per day—one before 10:00 AM and another after 1:00 PM. However, avoid overwatering if the soil is not dry. When using plastic pots, if water frequently drips from the bottom, increase fertilization to compensate for lost nutrients, as dripping water carries away essential elements.
Watering for potted roses varies by season, but the general rule is to maintain moist soil. Since home gardening doesn't involve measuring moisture content, hand testing is often used. If the soil feels moist, it usually meets the plant's needs.
When using plastic pots, water evaporation is slower around the pot but the surface may dry out quickly. In such cases, rely on the pot's total weight to determine watering needs. Initially, if you lack experience, moisten the growing medium before potting to feel its weight. Later, simply lift the pot to check if it needs water.
Sometimes, the surface soil may appear dry, especially in summer, but the bottom may still be moist. Watering based solely on surface dryness can lead to overwatering, causing root rot over time. Some believe plastic pots are unsuitable for roses, but this is due to applying the same techniques as for clay pots, which are not ideal for plastic pots.
Roses require significant water, especially in hot, dry summers, sometimes needing two waterings per day—one before 10:00 AM and another after 1:00 PM. However, avoid overwatering if the soil is not dry. When using plastic pots, if water frequently drips from the bottom, increase fertilization to compensate for lost nutrients, as dripping water carries away essential elements.
Pruning Techniques for Potted Roses:
Due to limited space, the size of potted roses and the number of flowers should be controlled. Excessive growth or too many flowers can severely impact flowering quality. Under normal growing conditions, for large-flowered varieties in pots of about 20 cm, 3 to 5 flowers per flush are ideal. For pots of about 30 cm, 5 to 10 flowers per flush are recommended. Excessive flower count can reduce flower size, petal number, and vibrancy.
For young plants potted, allow them to grow for a while, ensuring branches are appropriately long. Longer branches mean more leaves and faster thickening. Once the main branches reach about 0.5 cm in diameter, prune them back. For branches with side shoots, keep 2 to 3 and prune them to 2 to 3 buds. If no usable side shoots are available, keep 3 to 5 buds and prune. After budding, select strong branches to keep. If not enough, wait for the next pruning to add more. Generally, 3 to 4 branches are sufficient. At this point, the rose plant is well-formed and enters its normal blooming stage.
For established plants, keep 1 to 2 flowers per main branch. If using a 20 cm pot, after the flowers fade, prune back, removing one of the two flowering branches and cutting the next branch below at a full bud. This maintains 2 to 3 main branches and keeps the flower count stable. For 30 cm pots, no pruning is needed after flowering. Cut each branch at the center bud after it blooms, ensuring 5 to 10 flowers for the next flush. Refer to the earlier method for pruning after flowering to maintain this flower count.
For elongated branches sprouting from the base, use them for renewal by heavy pruning and leaving them. Remove any unnecessary branches promptly, as they can disrupt the plant's balance.