Care For Roses Bushes: Everything Important From Fertilizing To Pruning

Only those who take optimum care of their roses will be rewarded with beautiful flowers. Here you will learn everything you need to know about caring for roses – from pruning to fertilizing.

Roses should not be missing in any garden or on any balcony, because in summer the pretty flowers are a real eye-catcher. But only a healthy rose that feels good all around will reward you with a rich flowering.

In addition to regular watering and fertilizing, the right rose cut is especially important for successful cultivation. In areas with a harsh climate, you should also use frost-hardy varieties and, if necessary, take special protective measures to ensure that your rose survives the winter well.

If you follow a few basic rules when caring for your rose, it will certainly thrive and develop its full flowering potential.

We will explain below how to water, fertilize, and prune your roses properly. We have also summarized the most important points about wintering roses and the care of roses in pots.

Watering Roses

Roses like it neither too dry nor too wet. It is therefore best to choose a sunny, airy location for your pet to prevent moisture build-up and the development of fungal diseases.

It is also best to water your rose early in the morning, taking care not to wet the upper parts of the plant with water. Young rose plants in particular need regular watering.

The soil of older plants should always be moist. In our special article we explain what else you need to consider when Hibernation of roses.

Prune Roses

It is best to make the basic cut in spring (March/April) before new shoots appear. The strength of the pruning depends mainly on the shape of the rose.

For example, low-growing Beetroses should be pruned back to three healthy shoots with three eyes. For strong growing Beetroses you can leave about five shoots with five buds each.

Smaller cuts to remove wilted flowers and broken shoots can also be made during the growing season. It is also useful to remove diseased parts of the plant to prevent the spread of fungal diseases.

General rules for pruning roses as well as detailed instructions for pruning climbing roses, high-stem roses, etc. can be found in our special article.

Fertilizing Roses

Roses are highly emaciated, so regular fertilization is essential. A first fertilization in spring (March/April) with compost or an organic slow-release fertilizer such as organic rose fertilizer, which was specially developed for roses, helps the plant to grow again.

A second fertilization can then be applied at the beginning of the flowering phase at the end of May. More frequently flowering rose varieties receive a final fertilization during the main flowering period at the beginning of July.

Later in the year, however, one should not use fertilizer so that the newly formed shoots can mature until winter. Ideally, you should use a fertilizer with a long-term organic effect for your roses.

This fertilizer is slowly decomposed and thus provides your rose with sufficient nutrients in the long term. How to best fertilize your roses is explained in detail in our special article.

Winter Roses

In order for your rose to get through the winter well, some protective measures must be taken. However, it is best to apply the winter protection only when a frost period is imminent. Also remove old inflorescences and leaves beforehand.

The leaves on the ground should also be removed. Afterward, pile up the soil to a height of about 20 cm and insert fir greenery between the shoots. Special garden fleeces, jute bags, and bamboo mats are also available for insulating high-stem roses. So that nothing really goes wrong with the wintering of your roses, you will find detailed instructions in this article.

Care For Roses In A Pot

Smaller roses with a compact growth can be cultivated wonderfully in a pot on the balcony or terrace. Potted roses need a relatively large amount of water compared to exposed specimens. When the substrate is superficially dried out, it is high time to water.

In order to avoid waterlogging, it is best to apply a drainage layer of clay shards or expanded clay already during planting. To ensure an adequate supply of nutrients, it is best to give your rose liquid fertilizer with the watering water every two weeks. If, on the other hand, you prefer to use a slow-release fertilizer, two to three applications during the course of the year will be sufficient.

In winter, especially the roots need special protection. It is therefore best to place the pot on a polystyrene board to avoid direct contact with the ground and wrap a thick layer of insulating material around it.

If permafrost is not expected, your potted rose can also simply winter in a sheltered place outside. We have put together further information on the subject of “roses in a pot” for you here.

By the time you have read this article, you are already well prepared and can support your rose in its development with optimal care. If you still haven’t had enough, you can find out here exactly how best to care for climbing roses.