Growing roses from seed require patience since it is not the fastest propagation method. It is still worth it because when you succeed, it is highly rewarding. Disappointments may come along, so it is not for the fainthearted. Some seeds may fail to germinate, and you will be forced to replant them. Below is a step by step guide on how to grow roses from seed and increase the chances of your seeds germinating and maturing.
Steps To Grow Roses from Seed
1. Treating the Seeds
Get the seeds from reliable dealers. Before planting the seeds, treat them through stratification. Add hydrogen peroxide to water and soak them for an hour. Put the seeds between two damp towels. If you skip this process, the seeds may fail to germinate. However, some stores sell already stratified seeds. In this case, just skip this process.
Put the seeds in plastic material and place them in a refrigerator. Be careful not to keep them too close to fruits and vegetables since they may produce chemicals that would hinder the seeds from germinating.
2. Planting the Seeds
Take out the seeds from the refrigerator. Don’t take them out of the plastic bag if you are not planting them immediately. Choose either shallow trays or containers to plant your seeds. Ensure that the trays or containers have drainage holes. They should be at least 3 inches deep.
Add potting soil to the trays. Place the seeds deep into the soil up to a quarter inches deep. It is not advisable to use regular soil, as it may have poor drainage and make the seeds rot. Dust the surface to protect the seeds from getting damp. Place the trays in a sunny spot and add water.
3. Transplanting
After some weeks, the seeds will start sprouting. Let the plant develop at least three true leaves before transplanting. Don’t let the soil dry out. It should always remain damp. You can grow them in pots or plant directly in the garden. Roses are very sensitive and may fail to grow when not transplanted correctly.
For the flowers to flourish, plant them in deep fertile soils, add compost and adequate water. Dig a 15 inches deep hole and plant the seedling. Spread the roots and fill the hole with soil. Add water and press the soil gently to get rid of air pockets.
4. Watering Roses
Roses require proper watering to develop brightly colored flowers. They also need water to transport nutrients to various parts of the plant. Add water on your plants in the mornings. Water them deeply so that the whole root zone gets completely wet. Be careful not to wet the foliage frequently, as it can make them easily susceptible to diseases. However, you can apply water on the foliage to get rid of dust or insects using a spray nozzle once in a while.
The watering rate should also be dependent on the climate of your area and the soil type in your garden. Roses growing in hot climates require watering more frequently than the ones growing in cold climates. Similarly, plants growing in soils that drain fast, such as sand, will also require frequent watering than the ones growing in compact soils such as clay.
5. Mulching
Mulch the plants so that the soil will retain moisture for long. This way, you will not have to water your plants daily. Mulch also prevents the growth of weeds, which may compete with your roses for nutrients and water. Use grass clippings, sawdust, or hay for mulching.
6. Adding Fertilizer to Roses
Rose plants need fertilizer to thrive. They are heavy feeders and will only bloom when correctly fed. You can add either organic or organic fertilizer.
Add the fertilizer to your plants every three weeks in their growing season. If you are growing your roses in containers, use water-soluble fertilizers.
7. Pests and Diseases
Some rose varieties are more prone to attack by pests and diseases. Shrub varieties are more resistant.
They may be affected by the following diseases:
- Black spot
Black spot is a prevalent rose disease that may cause havoc to your plants. Affected plants usually have black spots with yellow patches. The plant produces small, pale flowers and gets stunted. In worst cases, it may lose all its leaves.
To prevent your plants from the disease, keep the foliage water-free. Install a drip irrigation system instead of overhead irrigation. Wet foliage will easily get attacked by the fungus that causes black spot.
Get rid of dried leaves from your plants or Use fungicides in extreme cases.
- Rust
Rust causes the stems and leaves to develop orange spots. In severe cases, the disease makes the plant develop an orange powder on its surfaces. To prevent the development of rust, space your plants properly during planting to provide air circulation. Avoid watering the foliage and get rid of affected plants. You can also spray fungicides to treat your plants.
Varieties of Roses
Roses are one of the most popular flowers. They come in several varieties with the most common being:
1. Climbing Roses
The name might be confusing, and one might think they are vines. That’s not the case. These types of rose can be trained to grow horizontally on a fence or trellis. They can climb up to 15 feet high. This rose variety produces large flowers and blooms repeatedly.
2. Ground Cover Roses
Ground cover roses are highly resistant to pests and diseases. They usually spread more horizontally than vertically.
3. Hybrid Tea Roses
Hybrid roses come in various colors. They are usually common because they develop long stems that are good for cut flowers. They produce large flowers that can grow to a diameter of up to 5 inches. This variety is less resistant to diseases and requires a lot of care to thrive.
4. English Roses
English roses are disease and pest resistant, and they produce a sweet scent. These characteristics make them more popular in the flower market.
5. Floribunda Roses
Floribunda rose plants are short, and they produce smaller blooms. They are much loved by landscapers as they produce clustered flowers with vibrant colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some varieties of roses are scentless. Some roses are grown due to their large-sized flowers and vibrancy. It could be your roses belong to such varieties.
Cow manure is most suitable for roses. Make sure it is well-aged before application. Add the manure at least twice a year.
Yes. Some rose varieties can be successfully grown in containers. Avoid growing the climbing varieties on the containers.
Roses thrive well when grown in full sun exposure. If grown in shady areas, they will produce fewer blooms.
You can spray water on the affected parts to remove the aphids. You can also use approved insecticides.
Pruning helps roses bloom more aggressively. You can prune them at any time of the year. Use sharp, sterilized hand pruners for the job.
The leaves may turn yellow due to various reasons such as attack by fungal diseases. It could also be a sign of nutrient deficiency.
