Healthy, Beautiful Roses

By B.E. Conrad

For centuries roses have been the most treasured denizens of the garden, and it is certainly easy to see why roses are so beloved. Few flowers can match the grace, beauty and majesty of the rose, and growing beautiful and healthy roses is the goal of many a gardener. Making that dream into a reality can at times be challenging, but with a little patience, and a little bit of knowledge, you can soon be growing the most magnificent roses in town.

Many homeowners choose to start their experience with roses by planting a rosebush or two outside their home. Taking care of such a rose garden is generally not difficult, consisting largely of watering the roses properly and pruning them when it is required. When growing roses it is important to follow a regular pruning schedule, and to keep a close eye on the roses for any signs of disease or other problems.

As you plan your pruning schedule, it is important to buy the supplies you will need. Perhaps the most important supplies needed, besides a good pair of pruning shears, is a quality pair of gardening gloves. These gloves will help protect your hands from the thorns while you are working in your garden. The pruning shears you choose should be strong, sturdy and sharp, and they should feel natural in the hand. It is a good idea to hold several different models and choose the one that fits your hand the best.

In addition to the gardening gloves and the sharp pruning shears, you may also want to invest in a small stepstool or garden seat. This will help make your work less stressful on the knees and other joints. It is also a good idea to take a small pad along to the garden to kneel on while you are working. Your knees will thank you.

It is important to prune your roes carefully, and to prune in a way that will encourage better growth and better health from your roses. The first step to successful pruning should be to remove the dead leaves, stems and flowers, along with any weeds that may have escaped your weeding regimen. As you prune, work up from the base of the rosebush, rather than down from the top. Be careful to clear away any debris around the roots, as this debris will interfere with the ability of the roses to gather the nutrients the need from the ground and hinder the growth of new roots.

As you cut away the debris, be sure to look fro any dead or dying stems, and remove them as well. As you cut, always cut at an angle, and above any buds that may be present. If you are unsure whether or not a particular branch is dead, simply pinch the stalk. If you notice a snap, the stalk is alive and should be left alone. If the stalk is dead, make the smallest cut necessary to remove it, since a larger cut could provide an entry path for bacteria and other harmful microorganisms to enter the plant.

After you have pruned your rosebush to your satisfaction, the next step is to choose those buds you would like to encourage and spur into new growth.  When choosing buds, look for buds which are facing outward.  Encouraging these buds will help the roses to bloom toward the outside of the bush. To encourage the buds, carefully cut just above the bud, moving around the bush as you work. If the plant needs to be thinned out a bit, be sure to remove the stems while carefully leaving the buds as they are.

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