The suitable condition for roses-
The site for roses should be in an open position, sunny for most of the day, preferably with some shade during part of the time. There should be no overhanging trees, although smaller shrubs often give the suitable amount of shade and help to keep their roots cool.
Right drainage-
The soil must be well drained, firstly, because roses dislike having their roots continuously in water and secondly, well drained soil stimulates the activity of the beneficial soil bacteria. The drainage can be tested by digging a hole, 1ft deep and 1ft in diameter and filling it with water. If it does not empty away within a day, it is necessary to improve the drainage. This can often be done effectively by raising the bed with soil well above the level of the surrounding ground or by digging a 2 ½ ft deep trench across the bed and filling it with stones up to 1ft from the top and then with top-soil.
Roots of roses-
Like other shrubs, the root system of a rose consists of two types of roots like the tap-roots, which are long and strong so that they penetrate well in to the soil, giving good anchorage and a lifeline to more distant sources of water and nutriment, when they are needed; and the surface roots, which emanate almost horizontally near the soil surface, collecting from the soil the rose’s main supplies of moisture and plant foods.
Time of planting-
Bare-root roses can be planted at any time during the winter in open weather. Preferably it should be done, however during October and November or from February onwards so as not to risk the possible deleterious effect of severe winter weather. Container-grown and pre-packed roses can be planted at any time, but during a dry period they should be copiously watered.
Although it is a lot more trouble, gardeners may mix their own fertilizer for roses. A recommended mixture is: nitrate of potash 3 parts, sulphate of ammonia 1 ½ parts, super phosphate of lime 8 parts, sulphate of potash 4 parts. Sulphate of magnesium 1 part, sulphate of iron ¼ part. This is distributed at the rate of 2 oz. (about a handful) per sq. yd. Once in April and again in May. Twenty pounds of this mixture is sufficient for 200 roses during the season. It is important that no chemical fertilizer is applied after the end of July, otherwise lush growth might be produced, which will not withstand the winter.
Foliar feeding-
This take advantage of the fact that leaves absorb nutrients from liquids sprayed on them. It is not a substitute for the regular feeding programme, but something that can meet an emergency. There are several good foliar feeds on the market. They are best applied in the early morning or in the evening, but never in hot sun.