Caring for roses

[wavinwayne]

This past weekend, I bought a rose bush, and planted it in memory of my Grandmother who passed away a few years ago. As a child, I always loves the big rose bushes she grew around her yard. After she went into a nursing home, there was nobody to care for her roses, and they all withered and died.

I want this new rose bush to do well, so I can use it as a conversation piece to remind my children about my late Grandmother.

I need a "Roses for dummies" guide to caring for this plant. I do not have a green thumb. Anybody got any good suggestions?

 

[Kestas]

There's plenty of info on the internet, just look. These aren't your plant-and-forget plants that you just plop in the ground. They require attention. Pick a spot with at least six hours of full sun and good soil.

Realize that virtually all roses sold are the grafted variety. One mistake most people make is they let volunteer shoots grow from the very strong roots. They can overtake the plant and you'll get a generic and unremarkable red rose. The pretty blooms come from the grafted stems, usually about three to five grafted onto the root. It's those stems that need to be nurtured.

 

[wavinwayne]

Alrighty then. Off to the greater internet I go. I'll report back on my progress (or lack thereof). If things turn out OK, I'll be sure & post pics for your viewing pleasure.

 

[Tempest]

Quote:
These aren't your plant-and-forget plants that you just plop in the ground.

That's why I like cactus!

 

[Pablo]

Kestas has good advice.....the rule of thumb with roses is cool damp roots via plenty of mulch, decent food. Warm dry (very dry) stems and leaves. Seems like the worst attacks are fungal....leaf spot, etc. Don't overhead water.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Kestas has good advice.....the rule of thumb with roses is cool damp roots via plenty of mulch, decent food. Warm dry (very dry) stems and leaves. Seems like the worst attacks are fungal....leaf spot, etc. Don't overhead water.


Here's one that boggles the mind. It was brought over from Scotland in 1885 and planted in Tombstone Arizona. It covers 8,000 sq feet and is up on supports so you can walk underneath it. Check out the trunk. I could smell it a block away and it was a week or two past prime bloom time.
Tombstone Rosebush