Many people are now getting into growing all things organic. It is natural that you might want to grow organic roses. Many people have problems using the pesticides and insecticides that go along with growing roses and keeping them healthy. Well now you can use more natural methods of growing your own bed of organic roses. This section will show you how in a step by step method.
- Each bush that you want to plant will need to have a foot of space all around it so that the flowers can get the proper amount of circulation. It also helps to prevent leaf diseases for your organic roses.
- Purchase organic roses. Buy roses that have a sturdy green stem and no blemishes on them. Bare root roses are best for this.
- Along with organic roses that have green stems, look for stems that have evenly spaced leaves that are close together.
- Use well drained soil to promote the healthy growth that will give the organic roses all the water and nutrients that they need from the root to the flower’s head.
- Fix the soil so that you can build organically. Use a raised bead if drainage is a constant problem. Ask your local garden center rep about how best to fix your soil to be organically correct.
- Soak your bare root roses in a large container of compost tea for many hours before you plant them.
- Build a mound of good organic soil that is mixed with an equal amount of compost in the middle so that you can spread the roots out and down from where they meet at the trunk.
- Plant the organic roses at the point where the stem breaks into the root so that it is at soil level, or about 1 inch below the top level if you live in an area that is prone to hard winters.
- Check your bare root roses first. If the roots grow out in a tight circle, cut a straight slice down each of its four sides. A knife is good for this. Then dig a hole that is 2 inches deeper than the container and at least twice as wide.
- Mix organic soil garden soil with an equal amount of compost and use your hands to gently spread the roots into the soil mix.
- Use mulch to prevent your organic roses from being exposed to weeds, and water stress complications. It will also help your roses continue to be low maintenance.
- Feed your roses organically also. Fertilize with organic fertilizer and maintain a regular watering schedule.
- Water your organic roses deep at the planting, and then once every week after that during growing season so that you can promote deep roots. Watering in the early morning is best.
- Cultivate the top inch of soil around each of your organic roses and fertilize on a monthly basis with a balanced organic fertilizer. Use a good granular type of fertilizer that you can work into the soil , or use a fish emulsion or seaweed based product that you can mix with water. Check the ingredients listed on the labels to make sure that they have nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron and calcium.
- Protect against the various types of pests and insects that can plague your organic roses by putting sticky yellow bars every ten feet to catch them.
- Use an organic pesticide if the problem is bad.
- If the pest problem is severe enough, use insecticidal soap to spray over your roses.
Now you know what you need to grow your own bed of earth friendly organic roses. Your flowers will be just as beautiful as those that are not grown organically, and will likely have the healthiest life span that a rose can get.
Organic roses have some of the best color and ‘immune systems’ that a rose can have. Their fragrance can’t be equaled. Of course, it still helps to know how to prevent your roses from being taken over by diseases. The next section will help you with that.
