How to care for white roses
White roses symbolize innocence and purity, which is why these flowers are the protagonists of many bridal bouquets and are a common adornment at baptisms and communions. Historically, the white rose was the symbol of the supporters of the House of York in the War of the Roses that took place during the reign of King Henry VII in the fifteenth century. In another article, we talked about how to plant tulips in pots, today about the basic care that white roses require.
There are many varieties of white roses: ‘iceberg’, ‘Desdémona’, ‘Perfume de Provence’, ‘Winchester Cathedral rose’ or the ‘Snowcap’. Although they are all white, the size, shape, and shades of color change. These can range from snowy white to very pale pink. Roses are very popular shrubs, the pride of experienced gardeners and the dismay of novices. Often, due to ignorance, they overwater the roses and wither them.
Steps to take care of white roses
- If you are going to plant them, not just any location will do. A plant is a living being and needs to meet its needs. Adequate soil, water, and receiving sunlight are basic. Choose a location to plant the roses that receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- The land must be well-drained and fertile, in any nursery, you can find optimal land.
- If you have soil that is very dry, you can mix it with new soil and organic fertilizer days before planting the roses so that the soil is enriched with these nutrients.
- When planting directly in the ground, these white roses need to be planted at least 0.61 cm, a little more than half a meter deep, in order to grow properly. The hole has to be big enough to accommodate its roots. Fill in the hole with soil and add manure and water to the bottom.
- The best time of year to plant white roses is in spring or autumn. If you live in a very hot or very cold temperature area, do not expect the roses to bloom because if the plant does not have the right conditions it will not grow healthy.
- Irrigation is something fundamental. White roses need at least 18 ml of water per plant each week, this in spring. In summer it will be necessary twice a week minimum. The proper thing is to water through the ground line with a hose. If your water above you favor excess moisture and these plants are susceptible to fungi, powdery mildew, and black spot. Complications usually appear when the foliage is kept too wet.
- If the plants are in a pot, add water in a saucer below so that the plant receives its food. You will provide a higher degree of humidity without the plant being able to flood. On the ground, you can also place pebbles around the plants to better retain moisture.
- Fertilizer: in spring this product should be applied following the dosage instructions to stimulate growth and flowering. If in doubt, always add less quantity, an excess of fertilizer can be very harmful to the plant.
- Pruning: another important aspect in the care of rose bushes. Make cuts 0.6 cm above the eyes of the shoots, or buds of white roses and prune any branches that are dry or weak.