The classic rose bush is a favorite choice for growing in home gardens for both their beauty and fragrance. With the proper care, rose bushes planted today will still be thriving and producing beautiful roses decades from now.
How to Prune a Rose Bush
Topping the care list of things needed by rose bushes is a good yearly pruning. Rose bushes should be pruned in early spring, just before the new growth begins.
Use a sharp pair of pruning shears and prune away and dead or diseased rose canes. Next, prune away any weak rose canes or canes growing towards the center of the rose bush. Lastly, give the rose bush an overall uniform shape by pruning the remaining strong canes to a uniform height. If buds have already made their appearance on the canes, prune the cane by making an angled cut ¼ inch above the bud, with the high end of the angled cut facing the bud.
Feed After Pruning
Rose bushes awaken in the spring time famished and pruning signals the bush to produce new growth. Feed the rose bush immediately after pruning with a systemic rose food, balanced, all purpose fertilizer or well rotted cow manure.
Apply the food in a circle around the rose bush about six inches away from the base and work the food into the soil lightly with a hand-held garden fork. A light touch is needed for working the food into the soil as rose bushes have roots that grow close to the soil surface.
Apply Mulch
Rose bushes grow best when the soil moisture and temperature is consistent. After feeding, apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the rose bush, keeping the mulch about two inches away from the main rose cane. The mulch will soil moisture and temperature consistent and prevent weed growth.
The organic mulch will slowly decompose and add nutrients to the soil which the rose bush can use. Apply a second layer of organic mulch in mid-to-late summer if needed.
Water Needs
A deep, once-per-week watering is preferred by the rose bush. The deep watering will promote deep root growth and help to sustain the rose bush during dry times. Shallow watering promotes shallow root growth and weakens the plant.
Pest and Disease Control
Inspecting rose bushes often for signs of pests or diseases is the best line of defense for control. Hand pick any harmful pests off the bushes and remove any discolored foliage. Apply a systemic pest and disease control product or use a foliar spray product at the first sign of pest infestation or disease to keep the problem from spreading and killing the rose bush.
Pruning is vital to the health of rose bushes. Proper feeding, watering and inspecting for pests and disease are also part of the health care roses require.
How to Prune a Rose Bush
Topping the care list of things needed by rose bushes is a good yearly pruning. Rose bushes should be pruned in early spring, just before the new growth begins.
Use a sharp pair of pruning shears and prune away and dead or diseased rose canes. Next, prune away any weak rose canes or canes growing towards the center of the rose bush. Lastly, give the rose bush an overall uniform shape by pruning the remaining strong canes to a uniform height. If buds have already made their appearance on the canes, prune the cane by making an angled cut ¼ inch above the bud, with the high end of the angled cut facing the bud.
Feed After Pruning
Rose bushes awaken in the spring time famished and pruning signals the bush to produce new growth. Feed the rose bush immediately after pruning with a systemic rose food, balanced, all purpose fertilizer or well rotted cow manure.
Apply the food in a circle around the rose bush about six inches away from the base and work the food into the soil lightly with a hand-held garden fork. A light touch is needed for working the food into the soil as rose bushes have roots that grow close to the soil surface.
Apply Mulch
Rose bushes grow best when the soil moisture and temperature is consistent. After feeding, apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the rose bush, keeping the mulch about two inches away from the main rose cane. The mulch will soil moisture and temperature consistent and prevent weed growth.
The organic mulch will slowly decompose and add nutrients to the soil which the rose bush can use. Apply a second layer of organic mulch in mid-to-late summer if needed.
Water Needs
A deep, once-per-week watering is preferred by the rose bush. The deep watering will promote deep root growth and help to sustain the rose bush during dry times. Shallow watering promotes shallow root growth and weakens the plant.
Pest and Disease Control
Inspecting rose bushes often for signs of pests or diseases is the best line of defense for control. Hand pick any harmful pests off the bushes and remove any discolored foliage. Apply a systemic pest and disease control product or use a foliar spray product at the first sign of pest infestation or disease to keep the problem from spreading and killing the rose bush.
Pruning is vital to the health of rose bushes. Proper feeding, watering and inspecting for pests and disease are also part of the health care roses require.
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