Why Are Roses So Hard to Grow

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 09, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Most gardeners decide at some point to take on the roses! They want to challenge themselves, create a new look in their gardens and introduce a new fragrance in the mix. Often when advanced gardeners feel up to the challenge they rush out to their local nursery and buy the most beautiful roses they can find and the adventure begins.

America has had a longstanding love affair with roses. The red rose is the ultimate symbol of love and loyalty. We pine for its elegance and beauty and so, of course, gardeners want to grow roses and claim them for their own.

However, growing roses will introduce some thorny issues into a garden, and not just on the rose bush.

Roses are very delicate and are high-maintenance plants due to the many diseases that attack them and their inability to fight them off. Gardeners can take some measures from the very beginning, though, to grow strong plants and to keep their gardens disease free.

Sunshine and Soil

Roses are healthier with a good dose of daily sunshine. Experts recommend at least 6 hours of direct sun every day for best results.

Soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter. Gardeners can increase nutrients in the soil by adding compost, especially in soil with lots of sand and clay. Gardeners can use their own compost which can easily be started with Ringer Compost Plus Organic Compost Starter for nutrient rich soil.

When purchasing roses, gardeners should check to make sure the variety selected is suited to their climate and zone. The local nursery staff should be able to direct gardeners to the types of roses that are appropriate and can give tips about the soil makeup in the area.

Mulching for Protection

After planting roses, gardeners would do well to mulch around their roses to ensure the future health of their plants. Mulch helps the soil to stay cool and moist longer and stops many common weeds from growing. It's best to leave a 1 - 2 inch wide gap between the mulch and your roses and to layer mulch 1 - 3 inches thick.

Diseases that Attack Roses

Diseases among roses can come from many sources. Watering with sprinklers, which creates wet foliage, can cause fungal diseases. A soaker hose is better for roses and can give them the 1 - 2 inches of water they need each week.

Black spot, powdery mildew and rust are just some of the fungal diseases that attack roses and often destroy them. Keeping garden beds clean is a tremendous help to warding off diseases. Any fungal infected leaves should be taken out of the gardens immediately and put in the trash, not the compost pile.

Poor Air Flow and Insects can be Harmful

Roses need to breathe and when they are planted too closely to each other or against walls or other structures where air flow is restricted, they become more susceptible to disease.

Insects also love roses and can be very damaging. Roses and flowers can be kept beautiful and bug-free with OMRI -listed Safer Brand Rose and Flower Insect Killer.

This product works as an insecticide and utilizes the power of potassium salts of fatty acids (insecticidal soap). The potassium salts weaken the insect's waxy protective outer shell.

The Safer Brand Rose and Flower Insect Killer is effective in controlling aphids, beetles (leaf feeding), caterpillars (leaf feeding), crickets, earwigs, lace bugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, plant bugs, scale crawlers, thrips and whiteflies. It does not kill beneficial insects when used as directed.

Summary

Gardeners who are still up for the rose challenge should start with lots of information and guidance. Patience, good practices and a willingness to frequently work will result in a beautiful rose garden.

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