Rose Bushes

How to Care for Rose Bushes

Pruning
The best time to prune is early spring or late fall.  The months of April or October are typically a good time.   

Fertilization
Fertilize roses in the spring with organic matter.  Thereafter fertilize with each blooming.

Deadheading
Remove the deadheads to get more blooms out of the rose bush.  Use a cutting tool and try to leave a strong enough branch to support another flower.

Watering
Rose bushes need at least two gallons of water each week.  It is best to not get the foliage wet to avoid plant disease.

Banana Peels
When pruning rose bushes you can dig a trench around the plant and fill it with banana peels.  This is an organic way to fertilize the plant with potassium.

Rose Diseases
Cut off the part of the plant that is diseased.  Then hose it down vigorously.  If the plant doesn’t seem to recover, spray it with some insecticide or disease spray.  If that proves unsuccessful consult your local nursery of gardening club.

Winterizing
Mound a foot of dirt around the base of the plant to keep the roots warm. Then, place burlap over the upper portion.  Winterizing will help ensure great blooms in spring.

Aphids
When rose buds begin forming, look for signs of aphids.  Aphids can be eliminated with a detergent and water spray mixture.  The detergent sticks to the aphids wings and prevents them from flying.

Climbing Roses and Winterization
Dig a trench next to your rose and lay it down in the trench and bury it with dirt.  Then, uncover in spring.

Preventing Mildew
Prevent mildew by spraying your rose with a mixture of 2 gallons water, 4 tbsp. baking soda, and 3 tbsp. oil soap. Spray roses in early spring and every two weeks if needed.

Sun
Roses need at least six full hours of sun a day.  They need soil that is well drained and fertilized regularly.

Rose Cultivars
A hardy disease resistant plant is easier to take care of.  Check for cultivars that say they are low maintenance.  Landscape roses and shrub roses are usually low maintenance.