rose plants, roses, rose growing

Rose plants belong to the family Rosaceae. Hybrid Teas and the Floribundas are the most popular modern roses. Roses are world’s most favorite and unchallenged queen of flower. There is probably no flower more popular and better known than the rose. Rose grows and flourishes in the widest range of conditions of soil and climates. To grow roses is not hard, but to grow the best roses requires a great deal of skill and knowledge.

Rose Plants: Propagation

Increasing rose plants by different methods of propagation is an important and interesting aspect in its cultivation. These plants can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layers, budding, grafting and tissue culture. The most popular commercial method of propagation of roses are budding and grafting.

Rose Plants: Climate and Soil

Rose can be grown successfully in variable climatic zones. However, moderate temperature, bright sunshine and high light intensity are good for flower production. It is suggested that the quality rose blooms are obtained during December to April, with approximately 5 to 6 blooms per plant each in 60 cm. and above, and 45 to 59 cm. category stem length.

Rose Plants: Temperature

The growing temperature markedly influences the growth and flowering of rose plants. Seasonal variation in temperature has a pronounced effect on flowering, flower quality and longevity of field grown roses. A minimum temperature of 7.9 degree centigrade and maximum of 22.6 degree centigrade with 6 sunshine hours during winter season has been found to delay flower bud opening, improve flower quality and longevity in rose cultivar while 12.7 degree centigrade and , 27.8 degree centigrade minimum and maximum temperature respectively in spring season with 6 sunshine hours has been found to induce early flower bud opening and reduce the longevity of intact flowers considerably without affecting the quality of flowers as compared to winter seasons. The rise in temperature during summer and rain seasons adversely affects flower quality and longevity while inducing earliest flower bud opening.

Rose Plants: Soil

Rose plants grow well in good fertile soil. They can, however, be grown in all types of soil with proper drainage facilities. Well drained medium loamy soil having adequate organic matter is ideal. The best soil reaction for roses should be in the pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. They will do reasonably well at a pH of 7.0 and slightly higher, but some nutritional problems may be encountered from time to time. A pH less than 6 is usually too low. A soil which has been in cultivation and has a depth of at least 45 cm. is good for rose growing. The subsoil must have the capacity to retain sufficient moisture, bet at the same time permit good drainage. Adverse soil conditions, however, affect growth and flowering to a great extent. Budded pants have lesser tolerance to adverse conditions than unbudded rootstocks. Roses fall into the sensitive category of pants with respect to salinity and sodicity tolerance.

Rose plants: Site

When a rose garden is being planned, the site is of utmost important. The early morning sun should beam over the area for at least six hours a day. Rose buses not receiving the morning dun perform poorly. In hot weather, however, partial shade during the afternoon when the sun is hot is beneficial. It is better not to plant roses by the side of shade casting objects. The area should not be too close to trees or shrubbery which has a massive root system. An area protected from hot and cold blasts or wind is ideal. Roses cannot stand water-logging even for a short duration. The soil should be well drained or easily drained by using tiles and ditches.