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Index : Flowers - Perennials
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- 24. January is Time to Prune And Plant Roses - Top
- Despite their need for regular watering, fertilizing, pruning and pest control, roses remain a favorite among many Tucson gardeners.
Most popular are the large flowering hybrid tea roses. They provide excellent cut flowers and nearly year-round bloom. Some of the most dependable teas for Tucson include: popular red flowering 'Mr. Lincoln', delicate pink 'Touch of Class', and warm yellow 'Ore Gold'.
Right now, bare root rose bushes are available at local garden stores in an array of colors. Ideally, they should be planted in January. This will allow enough time for the roots to grow and develop before top growth starts in the spring.
If your planting roses for the first time, start out small. Limit your planting to three or four bushes. After a while you'll know if you can devote the time and effort needed to support a larger rose garden.
Always purchase high quality roses (grade No. 1) from reliable garden stores. Grade No. 1 roses have three or more canes at least the thickness of a pencil. Also purchase roses budded on the proper root stock. This means that the flowering top part of the plant is from a different type of rose than the bottom, root producing part. Where the two meet is called the bud union. This is a swollen area near the base of the plant. The root stock should be either "fortuneana" or "Dr. Huey". These are resistant to certain soil pests common in Arizona.
Select a site to plant your roses which receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some afternoon shade will be beneficial in the summer; but not required. Your planting site should also be away from competing tree and shrub roots.
Prepare the rose bed prior to planting by working the soil in an area large enough to accommodate all the roses you intend to plant. Allow 3 to 5 feet between plants. Till the soil thoroughly to a depth of 18 inches, adding organic matter such as desert compost, peat moss, or composted manure. Mix 1/3 organic matter to 2/3 desert soil. Also mix into the soil a root promoting fertilizer, such as ammonium phosphate, using 2 lbs. per 100 square feet of bed. Thin layers of caliche, as well as stones and other debris should be removed from the soil. If a thick layer of caliche lies close to the soil surface, choose another location.
Plant bare-root roses as soon as possible after getting them from the nursery. Cut off any broken or injured roots and cut the canes back to about 8 inches in length. Don't let the roots dry out! Keep them wrapped in wet sacks or newspapers until planting.
When your ready to plant, dig a hole in your amended site large enough to accommodate the roots. Make a cone shaped mound of soil in the center of the hole. Place the crown of the root system on top of the mound and drape the roots around it. The swollen bud union should sit a few inches above ground level. After settling the bud union should remain above ground.
Carefully add enough soil to fill the hole, firming the soil around the roots. Continue to add and firm the soil until the hole is filled 1 inch from the top.
Next, water slowly and thoroughly. If the soil settles so that the crown of the plant is below the intended level, gently lift the plant to the proper level and water by probing the hose into the soil around the roots as the water is running. After the water has soaked into the soil, finish filling the hole with soil to the desired level.
This is also the time of year to prune established roses. Pruning in January will encourage optimum blooming in April, the peak period of flowering here in Tucson.
Cut all canes back to a height of 18 to 24 inches. Cut canes back to an outward facing bud. Make the cut one-half inch above the bud on a slant, with the bud on the high side. Remove all dead branches and canes. Thin to remove weak or old canes that are blooming poorly. Remove canes down to the bud union. After pruning you should be left with 4 to 8 of the healthiest canes.
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Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona, 520-626-5161.
Material originally appeared in Arizona Daily Star gardening column, on January 16, 2000
- Updated: January 16, 2000
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