Multiple questions about roses

9 years ago

Hello! Im in south FL..i would like to grow some yellow & red roses...i dont use pesticides on any of my plants...my SO says i should start from seeds..im new to roses so any particular kind i should be looking for ? Any tips or advice on how to care for them properly? Also they will be in containers so what size pots should i buy? TIA :)

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filly_z8bFL

9 years ago

Elizabeth, straw is right. Growing from seeds is not worth the effort unless you are propagating new breeds of roses.

I live in NWFL, but I grew up in south Florida. The central fl rose society has a lot of good info on rose care in fl. http://www.centralfloridarosesociety.org/info/index.asp

Also the UF extension office has some info too.

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/lawn_and_garden/pruning_roses.shtml

Typically south fl has a year round growing season (except, as surprising as this sounds, Summer may induce some dormancy since it is SO hot).

I'm not sure if you want own roots or grafted- but for south FL I would recommend fortuniana grafted roses since there are root knot nematodes in the sand in FL that like to eat the roots of most own root roses. There are certain old garden roses that do fine I've heard being on their own roots- Mrs.B.R.Cant is one I hear great things about.

I am in North FL and noticed certain parts of my soil were very rich in organic matter (which RKN hate) sooooo I chose to try own root Austins raised no spray and organically. I didn't want to try and find fortuniana grafted roses in the types I wanted. Also since fortuniana is cold sensitive I didn't want to worry about that either. Since you live down in South FL, 'cool roses' in west palm beach sells grafted roses on fortuniana.

some other people in the regular Rose forum told me all my roses will die since they are not grafted. I say research possible prevention methods for RKN such as putting a pink bark layer at the bottom of the planting hole (they hate acid and will supposedly leave the roots alone) and organic amendments such as organic peat. Also I heard they don't like concrete and planting near concrete will keep them away... who know. I know all my plants are looking good even though they are young- oldest ones are 2 years old.

Lastly, as other pests go, I hear a lot of those down south complain of chili thrips. I haven't experienced them where I am at but I suggest you research them as well so you'll be ready in case they go after your flowers. I hope I didn't scare you away from growing roses. As pathetic this sounds, they have definitely been one of the most positive things in my life to cheer me up when I'm depressed and growing something beautiful is very rewarding when they do well and bloom because it's all your hard efforts and labor to be able to 'feast your eyes' upon your pretty garden.

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Comments (9)

strawchicago z5
9 years ago
Hi Elizabeth: Growing roses from seeds is a BIG challenge, I WON'T RECOMMEND folks to do that. I grew one rose from seed and that took tons of research in finding the right type of soil & the right procedures, only one seed out of dozens took root.

End up far more costly in time & money than just get own-root roses from a mail-order nursery. Val has more experience with roses in pots in Florida, best to message her in Houzz. Below are some posts that Val did for roses in Florida. Hope that helps.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4149999/september-roses-in-north-central-florida?n=21

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4198419/fall-roses-florida?n=12

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3959128/roses-on-clay-vs-sand-in-hot-climates-and-cold-climates?n=45
Elizabeth
Original Author
9 years ago
Thankyou !
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filly_z8bFL
9 years ago
Pine* bark layer (not pink!)
strawchicago z5
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Filly: What you wrote is fantastic reference for growing roses in Florida. Thank you !!

I forget to answer Elizabeth question: "Also they will be in containers so what size pots should I buy?" Answer: If you get own-root roses, then a smaller pot can be used, but at least 5 gallon. If you get roses grafted on Fortuniana rootstock, then at least 10 gallon is best. Below is a pic. of Fortuniana rootstock from the internet .. it's much deeper & wider spread than own-root.
Elizabeth
Original Author
9 years ago
Thankyou guys ! Very informative! I still want to grow roses...just debating on when is the best time to find some now...I actually just found out that my great grandma used to grown roses here and she wrote down everything she did to care for her roses in this area. Just waiting for my mom to bring over the paper ( it was in our family cook book (?) ) who knows lol.
filly_z8bFL
9 years ago
Good luck! That's great you found that information from your great grandmother. That's very special you are keeping gardening care the same way your GGma did generations ago.

I didn't see you were planning to grow in containers- in that case I think own roots are great because you wouldn't have to worry about suckers. Heirloom Roses in Oregon (kinda expensive, but you may be able to find some sales over Black Friday weekend) sells own root roses and so does Roses Unlimited in Texas. I've bought from both of them and they sell healthy roses. Be careful if you buy grafted (on Dr. Huey) since I see people on gardenweb have bought roses infected with rose mosaic virus, even directly from David Austin roses from Tyler, TX.

alot of places will likely have end of season sales on roses and there will be a big stock of roses in spring.
Elizabeth
Original Author
9 years ago
Thankyou again !
lavenderlacezone8
9 years ago
Is there a Roses Unlimited in Texas? I can only find one in South Carolina. The closer shipping does wonders in how they look upon arrival. Would it be possible to share the link? Thanks so much!