You can buy potted rose plants from the nursery almost all year round, except for winter, when they’re sold as bare-rooted roses. Bare-rooted roses can also be bought online, direct from the growers and breeders – browse and order through their catalogues in late autumn or early winter. And if you have family or friends who grow roses, read on to see how you can also grow roses from cuttings or seeds.
Location
Plant roses in a spot that receives 6-8 hours of full sun.
Soil
Roses love rich, well-draining soils. Prior to planting, enrich the soil with plenty of organic matter, like Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
Fertiliser
Once new growth appears in early spring, feed weekly throughout the growing season with a complete fertiliser like Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. It’s high in potassium to encourage flowering.
Water
Water regularly and deeply throughout the warmer months. Ensure you mulch well with an organic mulch like sugarcane or lucerne to help keep the soil moist.
Pests and diseases
Roses are highly susceptible to the fungal disease Rose Black Spot. This fungus causes black spots to form on the foliage and if not treated, can spread and cause leaves to die. Spray early in the season with Yates Rose Gun Black Spot & Insect Killer or Yates Rose Shield Concentrate – these products contain a systemic fungicide that can help protect your roses from diseases like black spot and rust. To reduce the risk of infection, avoid overhead watering and treat at first sign of the disease.
Aphids, scale and mealy bugs also love roses. Treat aphids and mealy bugs with Yates Rose Gun Black Spot & Insect Killer or Yates Rose Shield Concentrate. To control scale, you will need to spray with Yates Pest Oil.
Maintenance
Remove spent flowers regularly to help encourage more blooms. In summer, lightly prune roses to encourage a second flush of blooms in autumn. Trim off around one-third of the overall growth and feed well with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
Winter pruning
Prune roses in the depths of winter, cutting them back to around knee height. After pruning, spray with Yates Lime Sulphur to help clean up any pests and diseases and give the roses a fresh start to the new season.
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