Sam Kedem Nursery - Growing Roses in Northern Climates

Sam Kedem Nursery
TOWN & COUNTRY ROSES

Growing Roses in Northern Climates

Choosing the Site

Light- generally six hours minimum; soil - loamy-sand with high organic matter and slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5); Soil amendments include yard compost, bone meal, spaghnum peat moss (to acidify soil), lime (to raise pH). Irrigation and good drainage are important features. Mulch- recycled wood products provide ideal environment for root development.

Spring Planting

Bare Root:

· Submerge the roots in lukewarm water for one to several days, to allow recovery of water. A registered fungicide or small dose of bleach may be used.

· Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots and the portion immediately above the bud union (in northern climate).

· Add bone meal at the bottom of the hole. Mound loose soil in conic fashion, then carefully spread the roots; make sure that the depth is sufficient using a leveler.

· After covering halfway through, fill the remainder of the hole with water, and then gradually fill in with soil, while retaining the water in the hole. Leave an indentation ('Saucer -pan') in case you wish to add more water at a later date.

Containers::

· Dig a hole slightly larger than the container size.

· Turn over the container in one hand, while holding against the plant with the other, then shake or tap the contents.

· Expose some roots and blend the excess media with the soil. It will speed up integration and prevent "Pot bounding" from taking place.

· Proceed as the above.

Summer Planting

Containers:

· Dig a hole slightly larger than the container size.

· Turn over the container in one hand, while holding against the plant with the other, then shake or tap the contents.

· Expose some roots and blend the excess media with the soil. It will speed up integration and prevent "Pot bounding" from taking place.

· Proceed as the above.

Spring Pruning

Bushes The basic approach is to prune out weaker canes and shorten healthy ones; use a sharp secateur, and make an angled cut above the 'eye'. Shorten side branches so that they always remain lower than the main cane. If the bush suffered winter damage do not prune out the dead tissue, as this may be useful to support new shoots growing from the base. Rather, shorten them and remove during summer.

Climbers Shorten the cane by about a third in spring. Weaker canes should be pruned more severely in spring, to encourage growth at the expense of bloom. Drastic pruning is required only if the plant becomes too dense or unmanageable.

Winterizing Roses

There are but a few steps to follow to successfully overwinter the roses, starting 6-8 weeks in advance of approaching frost.

1. Plan ahead your seasonal fertilization program so that there is ample nutrients to coincide with the summer bloom. Your goal should be to gradually minimize the Nitrogen level toward fall.

2. Quit pruning spent bloom in late summer, to let the flowers go into seed.

3. Reduce water applications by about 50%, never letting your roses completely dry out.

4. Mound wood mulch, compost, dirt, straw or dry leaves against the crown; spread it out in spring, prior to pruning. A first application of fertilizer, manure or compost should be applied at that time.

5. Climbing Roses: we suggest using Hardy climbers where possible. If they are tender for the particular site, it is possible to overwinter by carefully forcing the canes down and securing with dirt.

Care Instructions for Quart-size Liners.

When purchasing rose liners (Quart size) you benefit in two ways: a wider selection of own root plants at considerable savings. However, they require a nursing period before planting in the garden. Here are a few tips to help you grow them successfully.

Transplant into a container 8"x8" or larger, with ample drainage & porous potting media. Set the root ball at 1" from the top of the container, add the media and tap down lightly. Apply a tablespoon of time-release fertilizer, water and place in a sunny location. Water regularly and maintain a normal summer rose care regime. Remove flowers as they develop, to speed up sizing. Move the plant into the garden in early fall and apply winter protection judiciously (northern gardens) until the rose is well established.

Enjoy your roses!