How to grow tea roses at home
What's the story
Tea roses, with their stunning blooms and intoxicating scent, hold a special place in gardeners' hearts. However, ensuring their success requires a bit of TLC. This article shares five crucial techniques to help your tea roses thrive, filling your garden with vibrant colors and sweet scents. By following these practices, you can enjoy the captivating beauty of tea roses.
Location
Selecting the right spot
Tea roses need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day. Selecting a spot that provides this ample sunshine is key to their robust growth and abundant blooms. Also, choose a site with good air circulation to help ward off fungal diseases. (Tea roses are particularly susceptible to these issues in humid conditions.)
Soil
Soil preparation and planting
The secret to healthy tea roses lies in the soil. They prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH (six to 6.5). Prior to planting, amend the soil with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. This step enhances both nutrient content and drainage. While planting, ensure the bud union (graft) is level with or slightly above the ground to avoid stem rot.
Hydration
Watering wisely
Regular hydration is crucial for maintaining healthy tea roses, particularly during periods of drought. Opt for deep watering that penetrates to the root zone instead of frequent shallow sprinkles. But, steer clear of overhead watering as it fosters leaf diseases. A general guideline is to supply approximately two inches of water weekly, but you should adjust according to rainfall and temperature conditions.
Nutrition
Fertilizing for growth
Feeding your tea roses encourages strong growth and plenty of beautiful blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer specifically for roses beginning in early spring after the last frost date. Continue feeding every four to six weeks until late summer. Refrain from fertilizing late in the season as it can promote new growth that's vulnerable to winter damage.
Maintenance
Pruning for health and beauty
Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape of your rose bushes and encouraging healthy growth and flowering. In early spring, before new growth starts, prune away any dead or damaged wood. Also, remove some branches in crowded areas to improve air circulation within the plant. Always cut just above an outward-facing bud to direct new growth outward, away from the center of the bush.