How to Grow Great Roses

On a summer's day, there is no more beautiful sight than a rose bush covered in luscious blooms and healthy greenery. However many people do not even attempt rose growing, as they believe it to be too difficult. You can however grow great roses year after year without too much difficulty. Here are a few tips for great rose growing;

Start with Good Soil
When you are planting a new rose bush, dig a hole that is at least one and a half times deeper than the bush itself and just about twice as wide. Add some slow releasing fertilizer first, at the very bottom of the hole. Then a shovel full of good compost followed by a shovel of the soil you just dug up. At this point place the rose bush gently into the hole. Soil should be filled in to just the same level as it was when the bush was in its packaging container. Fill the hole half way up for now, using the alternating method just described. Water well. When the water seems to have all been absorbed, fill the hole the rest of the way up, and then water again.

Solve problems before they cause damage
If you spot bugs such as aphids or ants on your rosebushes remove them right away. You do not have to use a commercial spray for this however. Most insects can simply be washed away with a strong spray of water. Aphids are a little trickier. Use a mixture of a ½ teaspoon of household dishwashing liquid to one quart of plain water. This should be sprayed directly onto the aphids. If you do not have a sprayer on hand, use a sponge. It takes longer, but is just as effective. Keep a close eye on your roses as they grow. Check leaves for yellow or brownish spots, which indicate a possible nitrogen deficiency in the soil, which can easily corrected with a rose food from the local nursery.

Do not over Water
Roses do not like getting their leaves too wet, and they do not respond well to being soaked. Do not rely on a preset schedule to water your roses to keep them healthy, rather water whenever the top couple of inches of soil around them seems completely dry to the touch.

Remove dead blossoms
To a rose, its only purpose is to produce seeds. If you remove dead blossoms on a regular basis the rose will continue to bud and flower successfully. There are certain varieties of rose however that will only bloom once a year then fade away for the rest of the year. In the case of those variety's just enjoy the display while it lasts then let nature take care of the rest.