The information for this article was furnished by Roses Unlimited, of Laurens, SC. They specialize in fragrant old-fashioned roses and offer over 1000 varieties of own root roses. I have purchased several bushes from them and they are doing extremely well following these guidelines.

Garden Location:

* Minimum of six hours of sun – morning sun preferred * Good drainage * Good air circulation * No competition with tree or shrub roots

Soil Mixture:

* 1 cup superphosphate 46% * 1 cup of dolomitic lime * 2 cups of alfalfa meal * 1 cup of gypsum * 1/4 part compost * 1/4 part peat moss * 1/4 part good top soil OR substitute #6 & #7 with Patterson All Purpose Potting Soil * 1/4 part red clay

Procedure for Planting:

* Dig a hole at least 18″ deep and wide in all directions * Refill the hole with approximately 10″ of the above soil mix * Split the plastic container on three sides * Carefully remove the rose bush with soil intact * Plant rose bush in ground, slightly raised (flush with ground level if in a raised bed) * Finish filling hole with above soil mixture (firm soil around root ball – leave no air pockets) * Water EXTREMELY DEEP – key to actively growing bushes * Water every 4 to 5 days thereafter for the first growing season * Liquid fertilizer should be applied in 3 to 4 weeks at the recommended rate * Start a spray program for disease immediately and continue weekly. (Triforine, Manzate, Benlate or Zineb) * Spray for mites every 3 to 4 weeks (Avid or Vendex) Forceful washing of underside of leaves weekly will help * Spray for insects only as needed (Orthene or Mavrik) * Resist the temptation of cutting roses for the first season (remove only the dead heads); allow the entire bush to build up strength. You will THANK yourself in the years to come.

Weekly Rose Care Program

These suggestions are for Zone 7. Slight variations must be made for each temperature zone…time of adding first fertilizer, mulch, spraying, etc.

November:

Send soil sample for analysis (pH check)

December:

* Prune back tall bushes (leave 3 to 4 feet tall) * Remove old mulch, old leaves & debris * Spray ground & bushes with dormant spray or with double strength regular insect & disease spray to dripping stage * Add lime according to test specifications or 1 cup per bush * Add new mulch or hill up roses with 10″ of soil

January:

* Check moisture content of soil (if a dry season) * Make plans to enlarge rose bed * Select additional own-root roses * Check spray supplies (purchase no more than you can use in two seasons

Late February or early March (depending on weather conditions)

* Rake back mulch from rose bushes * Select best canes ( 5 to 6) and prune to 18″ to 24″, leave yellow or slower growing varieties at 36″. (Don’t prune one time bloomers now). * Remove old, weak, diseased and dead canes * Seal all pruning cuts with glue or pruning compound * Remove all dead and dying leaves from bush and ground * Spray with double strength insect and disease spray; cover ground and canes to dripping stage * Scratch into the soil around each bush: 1/2 cup bloodmeal, 1/4 cup epsom salts, 1/2 cup super-phosphate and 1 cup of lime (if not applied in December – see below). * Apply generous quantity of water * Pull mulch back around canes (don’t remove mounds of soil until April if you have hilled up your rose bushes, then gently wash away the soil with a garden hose and add the above mixture)

March:

* Begin weekly spray program for disease when new leaf growth begins and continue until killing frost in fall – PREVENTION IS THE KEY TO HEALTHY ROSES….

Late March:

* Apply 1 cup of 17-17-17 (plus trace elements) to soil around each bush * Apply 4 to 5 shoves of manure around each bush * Apply generous quantity of water *

April:

* Pull back mulch and remove from bed * Apply the following around each bush: 1 cup of alfalfa meal, 1 cup of fish meal, 1 cup of cottonseed meal, 1/2 cup of gypsum, and 1 tablespoon of chelated iron (Fe 330) and scratch into the soil * Spray bushes, especially buds, for insects if present (Watch out for thrips!)

Late April

* Apply 1/2 cup of 17-17-17 around each bush and water NOTICE: Prune climbers, old garden and shrub roses only after their spring flowering…

May:

* Enjoy your spring roses (cut roses only from established bushes, 2 years or older). Cut to a five leaflet to encourage new buds.

May, June, July & August:

* Plant your new own-root rose bushes * Continue weekly spray program for disease * Spray for insects only when needed * Spray for spider mites monthly * Apply monthly feedings of 1 cup of 10-10-10 per established bush * Liquid feed your new own-root roses bushes once a month until planted into garden * Water weekly if less than 1″ of rain

2nd Week of June:

* Re-apply mulch to conserve moisture * Liquid feed each bush with: 1 tablespoon Peter’s 20-20-20, 1 tablespoon chelated iron (Fe 330), 1 tablespoon epsom salts per one gallon of water

1st Week of August:

* Apply another gallon of liquid feed per bush: (same as previous paragraph)

September:

* Do not apply any other fertilizer until late March; allow bushes to harden off for better winter protection * Continue spray program for disease * Plant your new own-root rose bushes

October:

* Continue spray program for disease * Plant your new own-root rose bushes Repeat each month’s care program and enjoy those lovely roses! Remember, rose growing is not a JOB but a hobby! Essential Steps of Rose Care * Weekly spray program for disease – prevention is the key to healthy rose bushes * Weekly watering * Monthly fertilizer – March, April, May, June, July & August