Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Life is a bed of roses
|
Here's how to take care of roses
|
ROSY PICTURE Roses are grown all over the world
The rose is one of nature's most beautiful creations and a gardener's favourite everywhere. Whether it is the simple Dog rose in a hedge or a carefully produced hybrid, this magnificent flower gives perennial delight.
Roses have been grown in gardens all over the world since the earliest times. In ancient Persia, the rose was a religious emblem. In Greece and Rome it was the symbol of the goddess of love and beauty, Venus and in Christianity, a flower dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Roses grow better if you make a special bed for them. Have your rose bed in a cool place or at a slightly raised level that drains easily. All soils can be improved by adding compost or other organic matter and some animal manure. A few weeks before planting, add some lime to the soil and do not add fertiliser to the soil when planting roses. Water sparingly and then add the fertiliser to the topsoil and cultivate it.
When growing roses in containers, use containers at least 30 cm in diameter. Use good potting mixture and water regularly and sparingly. Miniature roses are especially pretty when grown in containers. Add fertiliser to the topsoil every three months. Keep removing the old flower heads to prolong flowering. Climbing roses should be cut back and all the old wood removed. Select roses from a nursery and plant them during July and August. Propagation is by half-ripe or ripe cuttings.
Roses, like other plants, are susceptible to diseases and pests like aphids, fungus or powdery mildew, which is easily recognised by the presence of white patches on the leaves. Watch out for these and treat them. Prime all discarded parts of the plant and spray fungicide with purely powered sulphur. Roses are loved by all kinds of people. `A rose for every home' should be everyone's motto.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
