Roses in Oklahoma

When is the best time to transplant roses?

It is best to transplant existing planted roses in February or March while they are dormant. Container grown roses can be planted at any time, but March through May is the best.

Where should roses be planted?

Roses must receive at least six or more hours of direct sunlight each day. The soil must be well drained, so no tight clay and no standing water. They must have good air circulation, so plant them a minimum of three feet away from other plantings, four feet is preferable.

When and how to prune roses for spring?

Bush type roses should be pruned in March. Prune to remove dead, diseased, and damaged canes. Then prune to knee height at an outward facing bud. Climbing roses are best pruned after their first flush of spring blooms and are pruned by removing entire canes all the way to the ground to encourage an open, vase-shaped habit. 

Will roses bloom all summer?

Roses will continue to bloom as long as new growth occurs. After a bloom dies, prune the stem back to just above a 5 leaflet stem. This will encourage new growth. Roses bloom at their best in May, June, and October. They have fewer blooms during the hot summer months of July and August. Applying fertilizer every 4-6 weeks will encourage new growth and blooms. 

How often should roses be fertilized?

Fertilize roses once every 4-6 weeks from April through September with Bio Advanced™ All-In-One Rose and Flower Care. This product feeds and protects against insects and diseases in one easy step. It provides up to six weeks of protection against the major problems of roses.

Why are roses more fragrant at certain times?

Roses are often more fragrant in a warm, humid atmosphere and during a brief time before a summer storm. Drought, extreme heat, or very cool days diminish the fragrance of roses. 

How often should roses be sprayed?

Regular applications of Bio Advanced™ All-In-One Rose & Flower Care will normally provide adequate protection; however, you can help protect plants by inspecting them a few times a week. Bring samples of damage or insects to TLC Garden Centers for diagnosis.

How should I plant roses?

Dig the hole twice the width of the container. The depth of the hole should be 1-2” shallower than the root ball. This will allow the root ball to be planted slightly higher than the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with a mixture of 50% Back To Earth™ Composted Cotton Burrs and 50% existing soil. If you are planting in a heavy clay soil, add a 10% ratio of Soil Menders™ Expanded Shale to ensure better drainage. Tamp the soil firmly around the root ball to eliminate air pockets. Immediately after planting slowly water until the soil is saturated and, later in the day, water a second time using Fertilome™ Root Stimulator to stimulate early root growth and stability. Apply Grade A Cedar or Grade A Cypress

Mulch to a depth of 2-3 inches over an area 24 inches in radius of the rose trunk. Water as needed to keep the soil evenly damp but not wet. Do not rely on sprinkler systems alone to properly water new plantings. Keep your roses watered all year, any time the soil is dry. 

What is a hybrid tea rose?

Hybrid teas, so named because of their light tea rose fragrance, have long, sturdy stems and large, well-formed flower buds, opening in a high-pointed, circular pattern. Hybrid teas are the most popular of roses. Famous hybrid teas include Peace, Mr. Lincoln and Oklahoma.

What is a grandiflora rose?

Grandiflora roses are in-between Hybrid Tea and Floribunda’s and have characteristics of both-sometimes they are not separated at all. Grandiflora blooms are similar in form to hybrid teas, but they have multiple blooms on a shorter stem. A famous grandiflora is Queen Elizabeth.

What is a floribunda rose?

Floribunda, as the name implies, produces abundant clusters of flowers on its stems. Floribunda’s blooms are smaller, somewhat flatter bloom. They are shorter plants than hybrid teas. Their low height makes them ideal for borders. They also mix well in beds with hybrid teas and grandifloras, providing a lower front row of color against taller plants. Famous floribundas include the Julia Child and Livin Easy.

What is Rose Rosette Disease and can it be controlled?

Rose Rosette Disease is a well-known infection of roses. Although multiflora roses, such as KnockOut, are extremely susceptible to rose rosette, different rose types also may be infected, including hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, climbers, miniatures, and antique. Caused by a virus, these symptoms may vary in their number and with rose variety:

• Excessively thorned shoots or canes, or malformed leaves
• ‘Witch’s Broom’ effect, where numerous small shoots form a cluster like a broom
• Unusually red or purplish new growth
• Overall stunted or abnormal growth
• Flowers that don’t open in clusters, causing a ‘rosette’ form and a general lack of vitality

The disease is caused by a microscopic eriophyid mite who spreads a virus that produces the symptoms above. The mite acquires the virus when it feeds on infected plants. When an infective mite feeds on a healthy cane or plant, it can transmit the virus. A few weeks to months after infection, plants will begin to show symptoms. The mites crawl short distances on rose plants, but they can also be carried to new roses by wind currents or hitching a ride on gloves, clothing, and tools.

Although there is no cure once a plant is infected, TLC recommends the following to help us all stop the SPREAD of this disease:

• Carefully observe your roses at least once weekly. Early detection is key since rose rosette spreads and can affect other nearby roses quickly. Bring in photos or sealed samples to TLC.
• Remove infected roses immediately. Bag the plant first, and then remove the plant roots and all. Be sure to remove the entirety of the root system, disposing of it without composting.
• You may wish to treat any other roses with a miticide, such as Bio Advanced™ Insect, Disease, & Mite Control, to help kill the mite or spray with Hi-Yield Dormant Oil during cooler weather.