The rose is one of the most common flowers and sold by florists. Its beauty and aroma make rose bushes one of the most traditional plants used in gardens and parks almost everywhere in the world. Although it requires some care, it will not be very difficult for you to learn how and when to plant roses.
The rose has more than a hundred species. Most of them are native to Asia, and the rest from Europe, North America and North-West Africa. They are normally used as an ornament because of their beauty and the fragrance of their smell. However, its oil can also be extracted, used in perfumery and cosmetics and even in some gastronomic dishes.
Although you have to pay some attention in their care, your rose bushes will only need a wide soil with good drainage and a good amount of daily sun.
What do you need for and when to plant roses?
Although they can also be sown by seeds, the fastest and most common method to plant rose bushes is to do it by means of cuttings of the flower itself or the root. To do this, you’ll need:
- A cutting or the root of a rose bush.
- Earth.
- Water.
- Pruning shears.
- Shovel.
- Fertilizer.
Instructions for and when to plant rose bushes
Planting
The most common methods for planting rose bushes is by cuttings or grafting, or by planting the roots of a rose bush. We will explain both methods.
Planting from root
The most suitable time for this method is the end of winter or beginning of spring. The easiest way to start will be to acquire a potted rose, and use its roots to plant your rose bush. Of course, you should plant them as soon as you get the rose. The other steps you must follow are:
- First you must dig a hole somewhat deeper than the roots. Thus, they will grip the soil well and offer support to the plant as it grows.
- Mix the soil with compost or fertilizer, and form a small mound at the bottom of the hole.
- Place the root on the mound, so that the union of the shoots is just above ground level. The roots should be covered, but the stem should not.
- Fill with soil around the roots, to avoid air pockets under the ground.
- Then you must fill the hole with water. After the water penetrates well into the soil, refill it. Trim the stems leaving about 20 centimeters in height.
- Make a mound with soil around the plant. This should be about 15 centimeters high.
- When the first shoots start to come out, about 2 weeks later, you can remove the mound. To do this, it will be enough that you step lightly. With this, you will help the plant retain moisture and prevent it from falling with the wind.
Planting from cutting
In the case of the method of planting by cutting, the best time to carry it out is autumn. Unlike the previous method, instead of using the roots of the rose bush you should use some of its branches. The steps to follow are:
- First, you will have to select the branch or branches of the rose bush that you will use as a cutting. These should be branches of about one year, preferably those that have bloomed this year. The ideal length is 15 to 20 centimeters and the thickness of about 1 centimeter, similar to that of a pencil. It will be essential that they present several buds, from which new branches will then sprout.
- After extracting the branches, the next step will be to remove all the leaves and thorns from their base, leaving a few leaves on top. You will have to be especially careful not to damage the buds of budding.
- Then, if you are going to plant in the ground, it is best to dig a trench about 15 centimeters deep, and add sand mixed with peat at the bottom (about 5 centimeters). If you are going to plant cuttings in pots, it will be enough to use universal substrate. In both cases it is advisable to apply some rooting product at the base of the cuttings, to increase the chances of success.
- The next step will be to plant what will be new rose bushes. Introduce the base of the cutting and add the soil or substrate, squeezing gently so that there are no air pockets underneath. They should be covered halfway, leaving at least two buds of sprouting buried.
- The last step will be to carry out a first abundant watering. The others should be short but frequent, to maintain soil moisture. About a month and a half later, the first shoots of the new rose bush will begin to emerge.
Care and pruning
Once the new rose bush has sprung and grows, you should not leave aside your care if you want to get beautiful and abundant roses during the flowering season.
One of the most important aspects will be irrigation. You should water your rose bush regularly, preferably without wetting the leaves or flowers, as close to the ground as possible. It will also be necessary to pay it, preferably in spring. Also, if you keep the soil well aerated, your rose bush will give you more roses when flowering comes. In addition to this, you should pay special attention to pests, especially aphids.
The pruning will be done at least once a year so that the rose bush is always in good condition. The best time to perform this process is the end of summer, or the end of winter. If instead of pruning it once a year you, do it twice, it will grow even healthier and more flourishing.
With pruning shears, you must remove the branches that are in worse condition, especially those that no longer bloom and those that are withering, in addition to all the remains of withered roses and fruits. Following these steps, your rose bush will continue to give you abundant healthy and precious flowers with the passage of the seasons.