Caring for Roses

Fix It Up! : Episode FIX-201 -- More Projects »
Host Jodi Marks learn some helpful tips for growing and maintaining beautiful roses from chief horticulturist at Cypress Gardens, Joe Freeman.

Tips:


  • The best place to start when planning a rose garden, is at your local nursery or garden center that specializes in roses. If you prefer to purchase your roses through mail order catalogs, be sure to check the description of the plant. Choose a variety that is pest and disease resistant.
  • Freeman recommends purchasing a premium grade rose to get a head start for a healthy and strong plant.
PHOTO

Figure A
PHOTO

Figure B
  • Floribunda is a low maintenance, rose variety (figure A) that is both fairly disease and pest resistant.
  • Tea roses are very classic, cutting-style roses that feature long flower stems and fragrant blossoms (figure B). Keep in mind that many tea roses tend to be high maintenance. Check the plant label to determine if the rose is a good match for your time and ability.
  • Antique roses are considered low maintenance.
  • Climbing roses, such as the 'Don Juan' which features a deep crimson flower, grow well on arbors and trellis structures.
  • For use in a landscape, choose the colorful shrub rose. Growing to an average height of 2', shrub roses spread and mix well with other plant varieties like perennials.
  • Very few shrubs will give you as many beautiful and fragrant flowers over a long period of time as the rose.
  • Look for roses that are resistant to diseases found in your region.
  • Consider the proper rootstalk for your area since it will vary from region to region, and double check with your local nursery if you are unsure.
  • The number one disease responsible for harming roses is black spot. Since not all roses are susceptible to black spot, it is important to start out with a rose variety that is resistant to this harmful disease.
  • Roses affected by black spot may exhibit the following: brown spots of discoloration on the foliage, yellow halo on the leaves, and eventual loss of the leaves.
  • When you spray for black spot, make sure to spray both sides of the leaves because black spot originates along the undersides of the leaves.
  • Powdery mildew appears as a white discoloration on the foliage. This occurs most often during the spring, summer, or fall months, depending on your region.
  • One way to treat powdery mildew is to apply baking soda on the foliage to change the acidity of the leaves.
  • Another problem roses may encounter is crown gout. Most often the problem will have already occurred when you purchased the plant, and there is no way to treat the plant. Send the plant back to the nursery or place of purchase.
  • Spider mites will cause the plant to look gray and dusty. To treat spider mites, spray roses with soaps or oils about once a week.
    • Resources
    J. D.'s Southern Oaks
    J. D.'s Southern Oaks
    3800 Country Club Road
    Winter Haven, FL 33881
    USA
    Phone: 941-293-2335
    Fax: 941-299-4141
    Guests
    Joe Freeman
    Chief Horticulturist, Cypress Gardens
    PO Box 1 2641 S. Lake Summit Dr.
    Cypress Gardens, FL 33884
    Phone: 941-324-2111
    Toll Free Phone: 800-282-2123
    Fax: 941-324-7946
    URL: www.cypressgardens.com
    Also in this Episode
    Fix It Up! : Episode FIX-201
    •Caring for Roses
    •Planting Roses
    •Rose Trellis/Planter Box
    •Drill Bit Types