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Even in ancient times, the rose was considered a flower full of charm and magic that fascinated painters and poets. It can now be found in almost every garden and as a vase decoration in the home it creates a flowery and often fragrant atmosphere. Here we give you useful information about what proper rose care involves.
A little history of roses
The so-called "Queen of Flowers" was first used in Chinese gardens, which were artificially created around 5000 years ago. Even then it had symbolic meaning. The flower of love and beauty has never lost its symbolism over time. Not only in China, but also in the Roman Empire, the rose was considered a very valuable luxury item that only the rich could adorn themselves with. Only in the 16th/17th In the 19th century, the pink was increasingly used in European culture and today it is impossible to imagine floriculture without it.
Bright play of colors
The genus of roses (pink) includes about 150 to 250 different species. Gardeners now differentiate between wild roses and cultivated roses. The breeding of roses is now so mature that the petals can actually take on any color. Here we have summarized the five most important colors and their meaning for you:
- White Roses: Respect, New Beginnings, Purity, Faithfulness, Innocence
- Yellow roses: Jealousy, infidelity, wealth, power
- Red roses: (long-lasting) love, passion, romance
- Orange Roses: Health, Fulfillment, Happiness
- Pink roses: Love, beauty, femininity
The right care for roses: location, fertilizing, repotting, etc.
The "Queen of Flowers" may be a bit more sensitive than other plants in some things. But that should not prevent you from planting the flower, which varies in colour, in your home. That is why we have summarized in our article what needs to be considered when caring for roses.
Roses Location: Sunbathers
The location for your plant is the prerequisite for proper rose care. Because no matter how well you water, fertilize or even cut, if the rose is not satisfied with its location, then the best care will not help. All roses have in common that they love sunshine. You should be able to enjoy the sun for at least five to six hours a day. If you have a flower bed on the sunny side of your apartment or house, then this spot is ideal for the roses.
Tip: Do not plant too close to the house wall, as the building reflects the sun's rays strongly and the leaves and flowers can burn/wilt due to the hotter air. In addition, stagnant air on very close house walls can lead to an infestation of spider mites.
Wintering done right
If your rose grows in a flower bed, you should place garden soil or compost around the shoot base at a height of 15 to 25 centimetres. This protects the cut back shoots from possible frost and drying out. However, if your plant is in the bucket, insulating windbreak mats made of coconut, jute felt or straw will help protect you from the cold. You should also make sure that the flower pot is placed on a styrofoam plate or a plant trolley to avoid direct contact with the ground.
Rose earth: Good permeability and ventilation
In order to provide your roses with the best possible substrate for growing, you should use a substrate containing clay, humus and sand.The advantage of this is that nutrients and water are retained very well and there is simultaneous permeability and aeration. Another requirement is that the roots of the roses can grow unhindered at least one meter deep.
Watering roses: moisture-loving flowers
When caring for roses, it is important that you supply the (thorny) plants with enough water. Not only on very hot summer days, but also on autumn days you have to be careful that they don't dry out. The sun and the wind remove the moisture from the soil that the roses need. With the finger test you can check whether the soil is moist enough or already very dry. Depending on that, you should then water or wait a few more days.
Tip: It is best to use an attachment when watering with a watering can so that the water is always evenly distributed.
The right time for watering is also important for roses. It is always advisable to water the roses early in the morning or in the evening, as there is too much evaporation during the day. If possible, always water the plants from below so that the leaves and flowers do not get as much water.
Important: If you have the roses in planters, you will have to water them more. Here, too, the finger test applies: If the soil has dried on the surface, then you should water the roses.
Fertilize roses properly
The roses consume a lot of nutrients and therefore have to be supplied with fertilizer regularly so that they can develop their beautiful flowers. The fertilizer also ensures better resistance to plant pests and diseases. You should apply the additional nutrients in the spring. If you apply a second fertilization with long-term fertilizer in May/June, then the rose will be optimally cared for.
Tip: Spread some compost (organic fertilizer) around the plant in early April.
From autumn you should no longer fertilize, otherwise any newly growing shoots could freeze to death in the event of frost. For a better overview, you can create a personal fertilization plan to avoid undersupply or over-fertilization.
Pruning roses: rejuvenation for your plant
Like watering and fertilizing, pruning is also part of optimal rose care. Special rose shears simplify the process and help rejuvenate the plant. If you discover frozen or diseased shoots in spring, cut them back to healthy wood immediately so that the rose plant is not damaged further. With the right technique, you help her to grow healthily, as the cut shoots lead to more light and air. Since there are so many different types of roses (bedding, hybrid, shrub or climbing), there are also different pruning techniques. Nevertheless, you can remember a rule of thumb: Always cut off the shoot above an eye (approx. five millimeters) that grows outwards. Depending on the temperature, it takes about four to six weeks for new petals to form from the eye.
Repot roses: Only if they grow in pots
As always, rose care also includes repotting the plant. Basically, roses that grow in flower pots can be repotted at any time of the year. Nevertheless, it is better for the plant if you repot it in autumn or spring (before the first sprouts). How often you repot the rose always depends on how fast it grows. As a rule, however, you should get a new flower pot every two to three years, as the old one has then become too small and the plant needs new substrate.The new pot should be as wide and round at the top and bottom. Once you have repotted the roses, water them with enough water.
Propagating roses: It's that easy
If you treat your plant with care and follow our tips for proper rose care, you can use healthy shoots to propagate the plant. The cuttings you need for this should be about the length of a pencil. Between July and August you can carefully cut these off the mother plant using rose scissors. If your cutting has a flower at the tip, cut it off over a well-developed leaf. It is also important that you remove all but the top leaves. Of course, before you plant the cutting, you have to let it develop its roots in a glass of water.
Are roses poisonous?
All plant species of wild and cultivated roses that belong to the genus Rosa are not poisonous and some are even suitable for consumption. But there are often plants (peonies, Christmas or snow roses) that are wrongly called roses and belong to a different genus. These have rose-like flowers and can therefore easily be confused with wild and cultivated roses. The danger is that they can be poisonous to humans and animals.
Tips for a real rose bloom
Now you know a lot more about caring for roses and you can basically do nothing wrong. With the right attention, your darlings will show their colorful side in the summer months. In order to push the rose bloom forward and promote growth, you should regularly cut back the withered and dried parts of the plant. In addition, the right location, fertilization and watering is crucial for the health of your roses and protects them from fungal attack (rose rust, powdery mildew or black spot).
Find your personal (room) plant
Now it's just a matter of finding the right plant friends for your roses. As always, you can find suggestions for this in our current range on our website. We look forward to your visit!
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