ROSES-10 tips to success

1.   Buy only quality plants. Your local ican garden retailer stocks roses grown by the best rose growers in the country, and they are delivered to you potted in quality mix to keep them healthy until you are ready to plant.

2.   Choose a rose to fit your space, be it a bush, climber, standard or patio rose. Make sure you have the space and, if a climber, support it will need.

3.   Give them a good start. Select a site in your garden that receives maximum sunlight, is sheltered from strong wind and has access to water. The soil should be free-draining and enriched with ican Premium Planting Mix and a base fertiliser of ican Slow Food before planting.

4.   Do not replant a new rose where an old rose has grown. Replant disorderoccurs when a plant is replaced with the same type and commonly occurs withroses. New plants struggle to establish and may even die. If a new site toplant your rose cannot be found, dig a hole approx. 60cm wide by 30cm deep andswap the soil with fresh from another part of the garden.

5.   New roses need pruning. In the field, the roses are mechanically pruned before lifting. Before planting, cut away any damaged branches. Aim for 3 to4 main leaders and with sharp secateurs cut the main leaders to within 4 to 5 buds from the base of the plant. If you are unsure, ask a garden centre team member to do this when you purchase your roses.  

6.  Soak the roots of new roses in a bucket of water mixed with a seaweed based liquid food prior to planting.

7.   Get the planting right. Trim any damaged roots. Dig a hole big enough to accommodate the roots. Use the mix from the pot the rose came in to create a mound to spread the roots over. Position the rose in the hole with the crown (bud union) sitting at ground level. Fill in the hole with soil, filling the gaps between the roots to eliminate air pockets. Firm in with your boots.

8.   Water well & regularly. New roses need plenty of water. Apply a full 10L bucket of water after planting, and every other day for the next week if it doesn’t rain.

9.   Do not use fast-acting fertilisers until your roses start to grow. Aside from the waste as the food gets washed away before the plants can use it, fast fertiliser may also burn new roots that form early.

10. Apply a layer of mulch. Compost or leaf mould makes an excellent mulch that will improve the soil, retain moisture and suppress weeds. Apply a layer 3-5cm thick but away from the crown of the rose bush.

11. One more tip. Enjoy. Your roses will give you months of pleasure every year for the rest of your life – that is money well spent.  

For more information on growing roses, the ican brochure “Your guide to great roses” has detailed growing advice and a calendar of rose care tasks. Pick up a free copy from one of the ican stores listed here.

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