Choosing & Planting Rose Bushes!
By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
“Rose! Thou art the sweetest flower that ever drank the amber shower: Even the Gods, who walk the sky, are amorous of thy scented sigh.” This is how the rose has been described by Thomas Moore. The rose continues to be the world’s most popular flower. Improved cultivars available today have increased this long standing appreciation of roses as flowering shrubs. In India, roses grow and bloom all year in milder climates like Bangalore and Mysore. They bloom at least eight months of the year in Dehradun, lying somewhat dormant during winter months of December and January. In Mussoorie and the rest of the hills, they flower from late April to October while remaining dormant during the winter. A rose bush can supply more blooms suitable for cutting than any other flowering shrub. Each year plants produce from five to seven “flushes” of bloom of one to two week’s duration and a few flowers between “flushes”. SELECTING ROSE CULTIVARS
Indoor display in cut flower-arrangements and outdoor display in garden landscape plantings are two distinct uses of roses. Some rose cultivars are equally suitable for either use, but most serve in one of these uses better than the other. Preference for roses with a special trait may guide one’s selection. Some gardeners prefer roses with a particular flower colour, form or scent. Even on small properties, or within a small, sunny patio, there may be enough space to grow miniature roses. Only a few climbing roses produce enough flowers here to justify weekly care, but these few are appreciated. Some Popular Cultivars in IndiaFrom the gardening perspective, the roses are classified into six broad categories. They are: Tea Roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribunda, Miniature, Climbers and Ramblers. Though, another class called Grandiflora is also seen these days, in reality they are mostly HT plants that have flowers as big and well formed as HT and grow in clusters like Floribunda. The most common types grown in India are Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Miniature and the Climbers. Some popular cultivars in various categories are-HYBRID TEA (HT) ROSES- Hybrid Teas are tall, elegant plants producing the classic long-stem rose. They produce individual blossoms and flower repeatedly during the season.Popular cultivars: Amalia, Kardinal, Christian Dior, Avon, Sugandha, Olympiad, Bhim, Amalia, First Red, Crimson Glory, Alec’s Red, Ena Harkness among Red; Black Pearl, Papa Meilland, Mr Lincoln, Oklahoma, Ashwini, Kajal, Black Pearl among Deep Blackish Red; Doris Tysterman, Just Joey, Super Star, Romantica, Sunset Song among Orange; Brandy, Whisky, Ambassador among the Apricot shades; Virgo, Via Mala, Anastasia, Lemon Sherbat, John F. Kennedy, Dr. Homi Bhabha, Jawahar and White Masterpiece among White; Solidor, King’s Ransom, Gold Medal, Landora and Ganga among Yellow; Eiffel Tower, Jadis, First Prize, Century Two, Mrinalini and Peter Frankenfeld among Pink; Blue Moon, Paradise, Lagerfeld, Sweet Surrender among Purple; Anvil Spark, Sahastradhara, Careless Love among Striped; American Heritage, Double Delight, Alinka, Peace, Mon Cheri, Charleston and Bajajo among the Bicolour are popular.
FLORIBUNDA ROSES- They grow in clusters rather than singly. They are ideal for borders or containers, floribundas provide an almost constant show of colour, and bloom more freely than teas. They are lower growing and hardier. Popular Cultivars: Gabriella, Evelyn Fison, Show Biz among Red; Mercedes, City of Belfast among Vermillion; Flamenco, Orange Sensation, Shola, Zambra among Orange; Apricot Nector among Apricot; Queen Elizabeth, Belinda among Pink; Angel Face, Africa Star, Intrigue and Shocking Blue among Purple; Iceberg, Summer Snow and Himangini among White; Fugitive, Sunflare, Bunny Gold and All Gold among Yellow; Banajaran, Charisma among Bicolours are popular varieties.
MINIATURE- Miniature Roses are ideal for Pots and Window gardens. They flower for a longer time during the year. Red Flush, Little Buckaroo, Little Flirt and Don Don among Red; Cri Cri, Coralin, Starina, Sun Blaze among Orange; Cup Cake, Cuddles, Rosemarin and Merline among Pink; Lavender Jewel among Purple; Baby Sun Gold, Little Sunset, Yellow Doll, Bit O’ Sunshine among Yellow; Green Ice, Cinderella among White are popular varieties. Sympathie, Peace, La Marque, Climbing Peace, Golden Showers are popular among climbers.
PLANTING-Rose bushes should be planted from September to November or from February to March in spring in Doon. In the hills they are either planted in January when dormant or in Summer (Mid April to May) when they are quite active.
PLACEMENT AND SPACING: Except when featured as specimen plants, rose bushes are usually grouped in the same area rather than in scattered plantings. Grouping roses in beds makes a more attractive display of flowers, and simplifies soil preparation and maintenance. Beds four to six feet wide are recommended for single and two-row plantings with the plants spaced alternately, so that both sides can be reached easily. Plant rose bushes where they will get direct sunlight for at least six hours during the day. If shading can not be avoided, choose locations where morning sunlight is available. HT roses are normally planted 18 inches apart, Climbers 2 ft apart while floribundas are usually planted 12 to 15 inches apart. Miniatures are planted normally in pots or 9 to 12 inches apart in the beds.
Soil Preparation: The best soil for growing roses is one that has good drainage, which allows air and water movement to and from roots, and will hold an adequate supply of moisture and nutrients. The soil should be a mixture of seven parts grounded clay soil, five parts leaf mould and three parts grounded half-burnt clay. Also mixed with this soil, 100 grams steamed bone meal and 10 grams super phosphate, per square-feet. The bed should be little higher from the surrounding ground, so that it should not be water-logged. Nutrients are most readily available to the roots in a moderately acid to slightly acid soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5). Organic amendments used to increase aeration, water holding capacity and mineral nutrient retention include compost, leaf-mould, peat, sawdust, wood shavings and manures. A 4-inch layer of any of these materials or any combination of two or more will improve most soils. Mix amendments thoroughly and evenly to a depth of 12 inches. Feeding: Soon after pruning, the soil should be dug up around the roots and filled with well rotten Cattle Dung Manure@ 8 to 10 kg per sq. mt should be applied. In addition, Sterilised Bone Meal should be applied @ 60 gm/sq mt. about ten days after the pruning, a mixture of One part of Urea, two parts each of Single Super Phosphate and Potash and 1/8 part each of Iron Sulphate and Magnesium Sulphate should be applied to the soil @ 50 gm/ sq mt. A foliar spray of Compound fertilisers like Polyfeed or Nitrophoska @ 3 gm/litre is also useful for faster growth and better availability of all nutrients to the plants. Feeding should be done every fortnight during the growth season. To get quality blooms, fertilise your rose plant four to five times in a year. They should not be fed from May to August in Doon. First feed should be in end For September, before the beginning of new leaf following it once every month till till Mid March. Prepare this side feed by mixing 150 gram steamed bone meal, 20 grams super phosphate and 10 grams sulphate of potash for each plant. There are also some fertilisers available in the market, which are specially made for rose plant.To prepare a good rose mixture, mix one part of Urea, 2 parts of Single Super Phosphate, 2 parts of Potash, one part of Sterilised Bone Meal, 3 parts of pulverised Neem Cake, half part of powdered Wood charcoal and one-tenth part of Magnesium Sulphate, one-tenth part of Iron Sulphate, and one-tenth of micro nutrients available under brand names such as Multiplex , Stera Meal or Tracel.
(Next week: Pruning rose plants and on diseases and pest management)
By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
“Rose! Thou art the sweetest flower that ever drank the amber shower: Even the Gods, who walk the sky, are amorous of thy scented sigh.” This is how the rose has been described by Thomas Moore. The rose continues to be the world’s most popular flower. Improved cultivars available today have increased this long standing appreciation of roses as flowering shrubs. In India, roses grow and bloom all year in milder climates like Bangalore and Mysore. They bloom at least eight months of the year in Dehradun, lying somewhat dormant during winter months of December and January. In Mussoorie and the rest of the hills, they flower from late April to October while remaining dormant during the winter. A rose bush can supply more blooms suitable for cutting than any other flowering shrub. Each year plants produce from five to seven “flushes” of bloom of one to two week’s duration and a few flowers between “flushes”. SELECTING ROSE CULTIVARS
Indoor display in cut flower-arrangements and outdoor display in garden landscape plantings are two distinct uses of roses. Some rose cultivars are equally suitable for either use, but most serve in one of these uses better than the other. Preference for roses with a special trait may guide one’s selection. Some gardeners prefer roses with a particular flower colour, form or scent. Even on small properties, or within a small, sunny patio, there may be enough space to grow miniature roses. Only a few climbing roses produce enough flowers here to justify weekly care, but these few are appreciated. Some Popular Cultivars in IndiaFrom the gardening perspective, the roses are classified into six broad categories. They are: Tea Roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribunda, Miniature, Climbers and Ramblers. Though, another class called Grandiflora is also seen these days, in reality they are mostly HT plants that have flowers as big and well formed as HT and grow in clusters like Floribunda. The most common types grown in India are Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Miniature and the Climbers. Some popular cultivars in various categories are-HYBRID TEA (HT) ROSES- Hybrid Teas are tall, elegant plants producing the classic long-stem rose. They produce individual blossoms and flower repeatedly during the season.Popular cultivars: Amalia, Kardinal, Christian Dior, Avon, Sugandha, Olympiad, Bhim, Amalia, First Red, Crimson Glory, Alec’s Red, Ena Harkness among Red; Black Pearl, Papa Meilland, Mr Lincoln, Oklahoma, Ashwini, Kajal, Black Pearl among Deep Blackish Red; Doris Tysterman, Just Joey, Super Star, Romantica, Sunset Song among Orange; Brandy, Whisky, Ambassador among the Apricot shades; Virgo, Via Mala, Anastasia, Lemon Sherbat, John F. Kennedy, Dr. Homi Bhabha, Jawahar and White Masterpiece among White; Solidor, King’s Ransom, Gold Medal, Landora and Ganga among Yellow; Eiffel Tower, Jadis, First Prize, Century Two, Mrinalini and Peter Frankenfeld among Pink; Blue Moon, Paradise, Lagerfeld, Sweet Surrender among Purple; Anvil Spark, Sahastradhara, Careless Love among Striped; American Heritage, Double Delight, Alinka, Peace, Mon Cheri, Charleston and Bajajo among the Bicolour are popular.
FLORIBUNDA ROSES- They grow in clusters rather than singly. They are ideal for borders or containers, floribundas provide an almost constant show of colour, and bloom more freely than teas. They are lower growing and hardier. Popular Cultivars: Gabriella, Evelyn Fison, Show Biz among Red; Mercedes, City of Belfast among Vermillion; Flamenco, Orange Sensation, Shola, Zambra among Orange; Apricot Nector among Apricot; Queen Elizabeth, Belinda among Pink; Angel Face, Africa Star, Intrigue and Shocking Blue among Purple; Iceberg, Summer Snow and Himangini among White; Fugitive, Sunflare, Bunny Gold and All Gold among Yellow; Banajaran, Charisma among Bicolours are popular varieties.
MINIATURE- Miniature Roses are ideal for Pots and Window gardens. They flower for a longer time during the year. Red Flush, Little Buckaroo, Little Flirt and Don Don among Red; Cri Cri, Coralin, Starina, Sun Blaze among Orange; Cup Cake, Cuddles, Rosemarin and Merline among Pink; Lavender Jewel among Purple; Baby Sun Gold, Little Sunset, Yellow Doll, Bit O’ Sunshine among Yellow; Green Ice, Cinderella among White are popular varieties. Sympathie, Peace, La Marque, Climbing Peace, Golden Showers are popular among climbers.
PLANTING-Rose bushes should be planted from September to November or from February to March in spring in Doon. In the hills they are either planted in January when dormant or in Summer (Mid April to May) when they are quite active.
PLACEMENT AND SPACING: Except when featured as specimen plants, rose bushes are usually grouped in the same area rather than in scattered plantings. Grouping roses in beds makes a more attractive display of flowers, and simplifies soil preparation and maintenance. Beds four to six feet wide are recommended for single and two-row plantings with the plants spaced alternately, so that both sides can be reached easily. Plant rose bushes where they will get direct sunlight for at least six hours during the day. If shading can not be avoided, choose locations where morning sunlight is available. HT roses are normally planted 18 inches apart, Climbers 2 ft apart while floribundas are usually planted 12 to 15 inches apart. Miniatures are planted normally in pots or 9 to 12 inches apart in the beds.
Soil Preparation: The best soil for growing roses is one that has good drainage, which allows air and water movement to and from roots, and will hold an adequate supply of moisture and nutrients. The soil should be a mixture of seven parts grounded clay soil, five parts leaf mould and three parts grounded half-burnt clay. Also mixed with this soil, 100 grams steamed bone meal and 10 grams super phosphate, per square-feet. The bed should be little higher from the surrounding ground, so that it should not be water-logged. Nutrients are most readily available to the roots in a moderately acid to slightly acid soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5). Organic amendments used to increase aeration, water holding capacity and mineral nutrient retention include compost, leaf-mould, peat, sawdust, wood shavings and manures. A 4-inch layer of any of these materials or any combination of two or more will improve most soils. Mix amendments thoroughly and evenly to a depth of 12 inches. Feeding: Soon after pruning, the soil should be dug up around the roots and filled with well rotten Cattle Dung Manure@ 8 to 10 kg per sq. mt should be applied. In addition, Sterilised Bone Meal should be applied @ 60 gm/sq mt. about ten days after the pruning, a mixture of One part of Urea, two parts each of Single Super Phosphate and Potash and 1/8 part each of Iron Sulphate and Magnesium Sulphate should be applied to the soil @ 50 gm/ sq mt. A foliar spray of Compound fertilisers like Polyfeed or Nitrophoska @ 3 gm/litre is also useful for faster growth and better availability of all nutrients to the plants. Feeding should be done every fortnight during the growth season. To get quality blooms, fertilise your rose plant four to five times in a year. They should not be fed from May to August in Doon. First feed should be in end For September, before the beginning of new leaf following it once every month till till Mid March. Prepare this side feed by mixing 150 gram steamed bone meal, 20 grams super phosphate and 10 grams sulphate of potash for each plant. There are also some fertilisers available in the market, which are specially made for rose plant.To prepare a good rose mixture, mix one part of Urea, 2 parts of Single Super Phosphate, 2 parts of Potash, one part of Sterilised Bone Meal, 3 parts of pulverised Neem Cake, half part of powdered Wood charcoal and one-tenth part of Magnesium Sulphate, one-tenth part of Iron Sulphate, and one-tenth of micro nutrients available under brand names such as Multiplex , Stera Meal or Tracel.
(Next week: Pruning rose plants and on diseases and pest management)
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NICE CONTENTS.WHEN IS YOUR BOOK COMING UP?
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