ROSE
INFORMATION
 

Vancouver Rose

First off, I am not an "expert" on Roses.
I don't have any fancy degree either.
You should be contacting Maureen's brothers
Kevin and Brian.
As they know more about roses and plants
than I will ever know, but in the meantime
here goes my 2 cents worth.
Rule number one is buy a good quality rose.

Rule number 2 is planting depth.
In Terrace I plant the Bud union about 2-3 inches
below the surrounding soil. Yes I know the package says above
but trust me they winter better up north down under the soil.
Soak the rose in a pail of water for 24 hrs. before planting
I use a mixture of steer manure, peat moss and any old dirt
I have ,approx 1/3 each, and dig a hole big enough to spread
the roots out, and deep enough to put a good shovel full of
the mixture above in the bottom. try not to damage the fine root
hairs on the roots. Water the dirt in the hole before placing rose in.
Tamp the rest of the hole, with the rose in place of course.
Ensure no air remains around the roots. I use the end of my shovel
to do this.
Water, Water, Water.
Roses require at least 1"of water per week
Plant the rose in a sunny location.  They need at least 6 hrs
sun per day per books I have read.
Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer if you want blooms
That is the first number in the fertilizer formula
EX- 24-12-10
Rule number 3, cut the rose blooms on any plant you buy.
Yes they look nice but give the rose a chance to root.
Then later on for English tea roses and old English
style roses, cut the blooms off and take them in the
house, or give to your favorite senior citizen, or whoever.
But please don't leave the bloom on the rose once it
opens up. More you cut off, more blooms you get. Simple!
HYBRID TEAS- Large Flowers- One per stem
Pencil size cane-Cut to 4-6" from Graft
Little finger size- 6-8" from graft
Forefinger size cane-cut to 8-12"
Thumb size and bigger 12-24", cut to lowest bud on the cane
FLORIBUNDA- Lots of Flowers per stem (smaller size)
Prune 12-18"from graft
MINIATURE- cut back 1/4 of old growth
Prune into nice round shape
CLIMBING ROSE- Don't have any knowledge of these sorry!
When you prune cut at a diagonal just above a point on
the stem where there is 5 leaves branching off.
Some will have 3, don't cut there!
Use sharp bypass pruners.
Rule 4, Don't top water on leaves when there is any sun
on the plant at all. Use soaker hoses. Black spot will form
sure as I am typing if you wet the leaves down.  Rain does
not seem to be a problem, but sprinkling is.
Blue roses are very pretty, but are not hardy in our region.
They aren't really blue either, more lavender.
In the Fall before winter and snow I prune the stems
on all my roses, not the climbers, down 1/2 way from
where they stand.  This prevents snow from breaking them off.
I put piles of leaves around the base of each rose for protection.
I have seen shows where the white thin foam material was
used to wrap the plant in.  No doubt works, but I have
over 75 roses ,so this could get costly!
In the spring I prune back depending on size of the stem
See directions above.  Always prune to a bud
that is pointing to the outside of the stem.
Watch for black spot as they grow, and use a fungicide
if you see any.  Also watch for aphids.  Strong water spray
under leaves will usually do the trick as they can't fly.
You can get sprays, such as Malathion or Diazanon if you wish.
On the real tall varieties I stack the branches, just so that
the wind does not break the branches.
That's it in a nutshell, Plant and enjoy, we do!

Check out this link below
for the best roses and seeds
T&T Seeds Winnipeg MB