subject: Beautiful Roses: You Can Grow Them [print this page] There's nothing quite like a roseThere's nothing quite like a rose. Traditionally, the giving of roses has represented such things as love (red roses), thank you (pink), appreciation (peach), and much more. It may surprise you that they aren't difficult to grow at all.
The first step to growing beautiful roses that everyone will admire is to decide on the rose variety. There are roses that grow in bushes, climbing roses, and ground-cover roses. Are you trying to hide an unsightly water meter by covering it with a trellis and hiding it behind roses? Or do you want some beautiful blooms as ground-cover?
The variety you choose will also be dependent on the amount of sun you get. Some varieties want full sun, but for others, partial sun will do fine. Decide the location you want to put the plants in and monitor how much sun it gets.
Another thing to keep in mind when deciding on the variety of rose to grow is your soil conditions. Most roses prefer acidic soil, but not too much. They generally like a pH of 6.0 - 6.5.
Soil in areas of heavy rainfall tend to be highly acidic. That's because the rain water eventually washes away natural calcium in the soil, leaving it acidic.
Areas with low rainfall tend to be higher on the alkaline side for the same reason. Also, a excess of natural limestone in the soil can cause highly alkaline soil.
If your soil is too acidic, you can raise the pH by adding lime. If on the other hand your ph is too high, you can lower it by adding garden sulfur. The best kind is 100% finely ground sulfur.
Another key to growing beautiful flowers your neighbors will envy is giving them the right amount of water. Roses absolutely adore water! You should water your plants 3 - 4 times a week, and for about 30 minutes. Deep watering a few times a week is better for the plant than light watering more frequently. Also, be sure to water your roses in the morning; never late afternoon or evening.
Keep an eye on your soil to determine if more water is needed. Sandy soil will require more watering than clay soil. Applying a few inches of mulch annually will also help to keep your roses happy and moist.
The right amount of sunlight is important, but be sure to check the recommendations for the variety of roses you're trying to grow. Some like more sunlight than others. Also the zone you live in will be a factor. Full sunlight in a zone where blistering heat is common is different than full sun in a more temperate climate.
With just a little attention and care, you too can grow beautiful clusters of roses.
