Keep your roses happy and healthy by practicing good basic rose care.  Develop a garden you enjoy!   Roses need at least 6 hours of sun, good air circulation, water, and good soil.  

      Soil:    The PH of the soil should be between  5.5-6.5.  You can use a  ph meter to test the soil. Dig holes approximately 3 feet wide and 1 foot deep.  Good drainage is important.  Our native soil is very sandy and will not hold nutrients. Add organic matter to enrich the soil.  Mix 1/3 topsoil, 1/3 organic matter (cow manure, bark chips, and peat moss), and 1/3 sandy soil into the hole.  Add 1/2 cup each of Milorganite and Superphosphate to the bottom of the hole.  The compost will add beneficial microorganisms to the soil that will increase the health of the roses.  Help keep the moisture in by putting down about 2" of mulch.  

  Fertilizing:     Fertilize when the new growth begins and continue every three weeks throughout the growing season, which for us is up through December!  Use a slow release fertilizer or a fertilizer specifically for roses.  The fertilizer will contain nitogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K).  The heavy rains we experience during the summer months will leach the fertilizer from the soils, so don't forget to feed the roses during these rains.  Water the roses well after fertilizing.

Add organics to the soil (see the chart below). Put a good layer of topsoil on each rose in the spring and work these organics into the soil gently with your hands. Be careful not to disturb the roots. Do not sprinkle and leave them to sit on the top of the soil.  Organics are a slow release, but you can experience burning if you overfeed. Organics can be purchased at a local feed store

Each rose is drenched at the end of February with a of mixture of fish emulsion, liquid fertilizer and merit.

Watering:  Roses need approximateky 2 inches of water a week.  During the summer rains they will receive alot more!

  Hurricanes Preparedness: 

As each rose is planted it is staked with 4 ft rebar that is covered with an old black soaker hose being disgarded and tied with tape at the base of the rose.   With some large shrubs, two rebars are inserted on opporite sides of the bush for extra support.  Make the bush as light as possible by cutting out small and inside stems so the heavy winds and rain have as little resistence as possible.  After the storms, check each rose for wind damage and cut away the damaged wood.  The bushes that have been blown and rocked out of their hole, pull back as soon as possible a make sure the roots are not exposed.  The heavy rains can take inches of the topsoil away so add a layer of topsoil and fertilize.

  Insects:

Merit is used in the spring .  If a problem develops, use light horticultural oil, neem oil, or a spray of ivory soap and water.

Care of Roses

Enjoy your roses!