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Roses Love Water
Beautiful rose bushes of varieties like Candelabra and Betty Boop can easily be grown in your garden or container. All it takes is lots of sun, a little fertilizer and, of course, consistent watering.
Nothing is more important for a rose bush's survival and performance than water. Roses absolutely love water. The key is to adopt correct watering practices for your particular rose situation and climate. What is correct also depends on sun exposure, type of soil and the method of watering.
In general, soil for roses should be watered deeply, but infrequently. And even during winter, occasional watering of garden roses during dry periods will help them perform better during the next growing season.
For container roses, keeping close tabs on the soil's moisture condition is important because of frequent drainage. Initially, water the plant well to get it firmly established. During growth, stick a finger in the soil to check for moisture. If your finger comes out literally dry, it's time to add water. Muddy soil means the plant is getting too much water. Moist soil should be an indicator that the water amount is just about right.
Here are some other basic rules to follow for watering your roses:
- Roses should receive 1 to 2 inches of water each week. Rule of thumb is to water two to four times a week for about 30 minutes, especially if there is no rainfall, or in very hot or windy conditions. (This applies when using a hose, bubblers or a drip system with 4-gallon emitters.)
- Avoid wetting the plant's leaves during regular watering, which can spread disease.
- Sprinkle bushes about once a week with a spray nozzle hose attachment. This treatment not only adds water and humidity, it clears leaves of dust, dirt and spider mites or other harmful insects. But never sprinkle bushes in the afternoon or evening, which can promote disease.
- Water in the morning to help prevent black spot and mildew.
Mulch (2 to 3 inches around a bush) to help retain moisture from watering and reduce future watering needs. Mulching also helps keep the soil cool and helps control weeds.
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