Our local - Santa Ana Heritage museum organized a Rose Pruning Workshop. The speaker was Annie Hall, a local expert landscape designer and rose expert. This entry is my attempt to share the amazing things I learned.
Selection and Packaging:
Bare root roses:
During January to March roses are largely available in the form of bare root. (They will look like this when opened). Soil / material used in this type of packaging would generally have least nutrient soil. It is anticipated that these roses will be planted before spring.
When one buys this packaging, it is recommended that all the soil / material used should be discarded into compost bins or green waste bins.
Select those bare root roses which do not have a lot of growth, preferably no growth. Idea is to allow them to grow once they are able to access rich nutrients of its planted environment and really grow.
They also comes in three grades - 1, 1.5 and 2.
Grade # 1 are the best from its survivability perceptive. They are the healthiest.
When ready to plant, remove the roots couple of hours in advance and soak them in water. Discard all the material as advised.
Canned roses:
For rest of the year roses are available in canned / planted form. These roses are planted with proper nutrients and are cared for by respective nurseries.
Planting:
Roses need 6 hours of full Sun, so find a location accordingly.
Location should also be such that there is a good flow of air, though not very windy.
Rose should be planted such that the last growth is exposed.
Plant them in a rich soil and water them thoroughly.
After the soil settles, make sure it is planted at the correct depth.
Caring for Roses:
Watering:
Water roses early AM, they need deep watering but less frequent watering.
Watering them once a week and adjusting it according to weather is advisable.
Ensure there are no showering sprinklers around roses. Water on their leaves attract disease and insects. Water on leaves also prevent them to interact with Sun and hinders their growth.
With that in mind - replace sprinkler heads (manifold) with drip irrigation manifolds.
Hose them down couple of times during summer on a sunny day. This will remove harmful insects and mildew. It will also remove layers of dusting and help them with required photo synthesis.
Fertilizing:
Fertilize lightly when planting or pruning.
Use organic fertilizer to allow the good bacteria to survive and contribute.
Trimming:
Trim roses periodically for:
- Dead heading - dried roses. trim stems till only 5 and more leaf growth remains.
- Trim leafs with powder mildew, black spots and rust.
- Check for any pests such as aphids and rose slugs (not the slugs we know as slugs).
Pruning:
Prune heavily once an year preferably during late January to early February.
Established roses should be pruned to half of its full grown height.
Remove old much around the roots and replace it with new richer organic mulch.
Collect all pruned material - leafs, stems and much into a container at once and discard it.
This way if there are any insects, diseases in them they will not impact any other plants.
Prune all stems thinner than a pencil.
Prune such that the new growth will be in the direction which you intend it to grow.
Prune all the crisscrossing growth to ensure rose plant with get enough air flow.
At the end of the pruning it would look like an empty, open vase.
Selection and Packaging:
Bare root roses:
During January to March roses are largely available in the form of bare root. (They will look like this when opened). Soil / material used in this type of packaging would generally have least nutrient soil. It is anticipated that these roses will be planted before spring.
When one buys this packaging, it is recommended that all the soil / material used should be discarded into compost bins or green waste bins.
Select those bare root roses which do not have a lot of growth, preferably no growth. Idea is to allow them to grow once they are able to access rich nutrients of its planted environment and really grow.
They also comes in three grades - 1, 1.5 and 2.
Grade # 1 are the best from its survivability perceptive. They are the healthiest.
When ready to plant, remove the roots couple of hours in advance and soak them in water. Discard all the material as advised.
Canned roses:
For rest of the year roses are available in canned / planted form. These roses are planted with proper nutrients and are cared for by respective nurseries.
Planting:
Roses need 6 hours of full Sun, so find a location accordingly.
Location should also be such that there is a good flow of air, though not very windy.
Rose should be planted such that the last growth is exposed.
Plant them in a rich soil and water them thoroughly.
After the soil settles, make sure it is planted at the correct depth.
Caring for Roses:
Watering:
Water roses early AM, they need deep watering but less frequent watering.
Watering them once a week and adjusting it according to weather is advisable.
Ensure there are no showering sprinklers around roses. Water on their leaves attract disease and insects. Water on leaves also prevent them to interact with Sun and hinders their growth.
With that in mind - replace sprinkler heads (manifold) with drip irrigation manifolds.
Hose them down couple of times during summer on a sunny day. This will remove harmful insects and mildew. It will also remove layers of dusting and help them with required photo synthesis.
Fertilizing:
Fertilize lightly when planting or pruning.
Use organic fertilizer to allow the good bacteria to survive and contribute.
Trimming:
Trim roses periodically for:
- Dead heading - dried roses. trim stems till only 5 and more leaf growth remains.
- Trim leafs with powder mildew, black spots and rust.
- Check for any pests such as aphids and rose slugs (not the slugs we know as slugs).
Pruning:
Prune heavily once an year preferably during late January to early February.
Established roses should be pruned to half of its full grown height.
Remove old much around the roots and replace it with new richer organic mulch.
Collect all pruned material - leafs, stems and much into a container at once and discard it.
This way if there are any insects, diseases in them they will not impact any other plants.
Prune all stems thinner than a pencil.
Prune such that the new growth will be in the direction which you intend it to grow.
Prune all the crisscrossing growth to ensure rose plant with get enough air flow.
At the end of the pruning it would look like an empty, open vase.
