Beginner's Guide to Growing Roses

When it comes to roses, most people are familiar with them as they are seen in many places. Roses are not only beautiful to look at but also have medicinal value. They closely resemble roses and can sometimes be mistaken for them, but they are actually quite different. Roses are among China's top ten famous flowers and are called the "Queen of Flowers." They are popular in China and worldwide, and many people love them.

Before planting roses, it's good to understand their habits. Roses naturally bloom from August to April, but with proper care, they can bloom all year round. They are highly adaptable, cold-hardy, and drought-resistant, and can be seen in home gardens, parks, and other places. Here's how to plant roses.

1. Propagation Methods

Roses can be propagated in five ways: sowing, grafting, cutting, division, and layering. For simplicity, you can directly divide the plant and transplant it, usually in early spring or late autumn. You can also buy already planted roses from a flower shop.

2. Choosing the Pot

Choose ventilated and breathable pots, such as regular clay pots or more decorative ceramic pots. If using a clay pot, soak it in water before use. As the plant grows, switch to larger pots.

3. Selecting the Soil

Roses prefer fertile soil. Use humus-rich, slightly acidic, fertile sandy soil. For the soil mix, use a ratio of 5:3:2 (garden soil: leaf mold: rice husk ash).

4. Light Requirements

Roses love sunlight and should be placed in a sunny spot. They benefit from at least 6 hours of light per day. Avoid direct exposure to harsh sunlight; provide some shade during high summer temperatures.

5. Watering Requirements

Water when the soil is dry but avoid waterlogging. In summer, water daily when the surface soil turns white. In winter, water less frequently, keeping the soil slightly moist.

6. Winter Care

Roses generally shouldn't be left outside in winter. Maintain indoor temperatures above 18°C with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. If conditions aren't ideal, let them go dormant. After the leaves fall around early winter, prune branches to 5 cm and store the pot in a cool place around 0°C, keeping the soil slightly dry but not too dry to prevent death.

7. Fertilizing Requirements

Roses enjoy fertilizers. Apply light fertilizer water every ten days during the growing season and avoid fertilizing in winter. For base fertilizer, use decomposed cow manure, chicken manure, soybean meal, or oil residue.

8. Ventilation Requirements

Place roses in well-ventilated areas.

9. Temperature Requirements

Roses thrive in cool and warm environments with temperatures between 18-28°C. When temperatures exceed 32°C, flower bud differentiation is inhibited. Maintain proper growing conditions and move the plant to a cool place if temperatures are too high.

10. Pruning Requirements

Remove dead flowers promptly and prune any dead or dying branches and leaves.

These are the basic requirements for growing roses. If you encounter any issues during the planting process, feel free to leave a comment below, and we will help you out!