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Flowers are among the loveliest objects on this earth. Among them rose is queen. Rose is estimated to be more than thirty million years old and has figures in the myths and legends , is the poetry and music. The rose has been used in rituals, as a motif in architectural decoration, in beautiful designs in jewellery, pottery and embroidery.
There are about 120 species of roses distributed in the North temperate and sub tropical parts of the both the hemispheres. As far as the garden roses of the world are concerned only right species namely Rosa chinensis, R.Damascena, R.fortida, R.gallica, R.igantea, R.moschata and R.wichuraiana have played an important role. Cultivated roses can be grouped under two categories those in cultivation before 1800 A.D.
The period after 1800 A.D. was notable because of the influence of perpetually flowering types derived from R.Chinensis and R.gigantea from the Far East, crossing with new introductions gave rise to the important groups of the Noisettes and the Bourbons. Further, complex crossing ultimately gave rise to the great groups of the Tea roses and the Hybrid perpetuals. The Tea roses were prized for their continuous flowering habit while Hybrid perpetuals included varieties of magnificient size and rich perfume.
Hybrid Teas
The outstanding event in the rose world the origin of Hybrid Tea roses. The Hybrid Tea roses are the crosses between Hybrid perpetuals and Tea roses. Later they were crossed among themselves and also with some other types such as the 'Pernetianas', with the result that the present day Hybrid Teas are quite a complex group. 'Crimpson Glory'Mc Gredys Sunset', 'Peace 'and 'Super Star'are some well known examples. Some of the Hybrid Teas have 'sported'to produce climbing forms, e.g. 'Cripson Glory'climbing 'Peace'and climbing 'Shot Silk'.
Hybrid Perpetuals
Obtained by crossing the existing roses in Europe such as damasks and the gallicas with perpetually flowering introductions from China. These are characterised by tall growth, large full flowers and by rich fragrance e.g 'General Jacqueminot', 'Mrs John Laing'and 'Paul Neyron'.
Floribundas
The floribundas started with a group called Hybrid Polyanthus, Created by crossing the Hybrid Teas and dwarf Polyanthus.
Drarf polyanthus
They produce enormous clusters of small flowers, and bloom for several months, e.g. 'Baby Faurex', 'Cameo', 'Chatillon Rose' and 'Echo'.
China roses
Also called Bengal or monthly roses, 'common blush china', 'comtesse du cayla'. They are suitable for hedges and borders.
Miniatures
These are popularly known as Baby roses and suitable for edges, e.g. 'Baby Gold Star', 'Baby Masquerade', ' Coralin' and 'pixie'.
Planting
The roses are planted in circular pits about 60-90 cm across and 60-75 cm deep. The pits are to be prepared atleast a month before the date of planting. The best time for planting roses in the plains is during September or October. Roses can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layers and by budding. Seed propagation is done in the production of new varieties. Budding is the best method for commercial propagation.
Budding
When a rose plant comes into flower small swellings are visible between the stem and stalk of the leaf. Select the eyes which are plump and not started to elongate and grow. Cut off the portions of the branch with the eyes selected is called as 'bud wood' with a budding knife remove a shield shaped piece of the bark and the eye. The Root stock should be kept ready by cutting the branches and side shoots which are not required. Make a sharp horizontal cut at a suitable height in the stock and then make a vertical ' T ' shaped cut in the stem of the stock. The 'eye 'should point towards the top and is tied with fibre.
After care
Stoch sprouts should be frequently removed. Irrigations should not result in water logging. Mulching with leaf should be washed by spraying water on the foliage. A basketful of FYM is sufficient for one year. A small quantity of iron sulphate may be applied @ 50-75 g/shrub by dissolving in water.
Root Stocks
R.multiflora, Braiar and Edward are best suited. Multiflora is suited for hill stations. Braiar for medium and Edward for both.
Pruning
Pruning is does to produce best possible flowers and to maintain good shape and keep plant healthy by removing dead parts. Three to four months after planting the rose plant is first pruned. Four branches placed in four directions are chosen and these are pruned back to an outer bud leaving two to four buds on the stump. All other branches are thinned out. If the plant has only one or two weak shoots they are to be cut back to two or three buds. The first fortnight of October is usually considered to be the best time for pruning. Some hybrid Teas requires severe pruning. In Tea roses strong shoots are pruned to 2/3 of their length. Climbing roses needs no pruning. Pruning is to produce the required number of new shoots are required number of new shoots because rose bears flowers terminally on current season wood. Too many shoots on plants will reduce the size and quantity of flowering of flowering. Limiting the number of flowers promotes flower size. Depending on the variety and severity pruning roses takes about 35 to 60 days from pruning to flowering.
Manures and Fertilizers
The best time to add organic manure is at the time of pruning. FYM, leaf-mould and oil cakes
are good sources of nitrogen. It is better to apply fertilizers in a mixture such as
'roxe mix'. Rose mix can be prepared as:
| Neem cake |
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5 kg |
| Bonemeal |
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5kg |
| Ammophos |
----- |
2kg |
| Sulphate of Ammonia |
------ |
1kg |
| Superphosphate |
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2kg |
| Potassium sulphate |
------ |
1kg |
100 g of this mixture can be used per plant. The chelated compounds of iron, magnesium and
manganese are available in the market under names like 'Sequestrene Plus'which are helpful
in bringing out the full color of flowers. In general for each rose plant urea 20-30 g.
Superphosphate 30-50 g, Potassium Sulphate 20-30 g and Cakes 1/2 kg to 1 kg, in two to
three split doses is recommended.
Rose Products
GULKAND
It is prepared by pounding together a mixture of rose petals and white sugar in equal proportions. It acts as a tonic and laxative. Edward rose is mostly used for this purpose.
PANKHURI
Dried rose petals called Pankhuri are used during the hot weather for preparing cool drinks. Roses are used for many Purposes such as rose water, rose vinegar. Rose develop fruits called 'Hips' and they are good source of Vitamin C.
Plant Protection
PESTS
APHIDS
They occur in clusters on tender shoots, buds and flowers and sucks the plant sap. The affected flowers and buds should lightly dusted in the mornings or evenings with 9.2% Pyro dust.
JASSIDS
They suck the sap from the plant the parts. The leaves lose their natural color and become dull whitish yellow and subsequently dries up and the damaged plants have a sickly appearance and these are controlled by spraying with 0.03% parathion.
LEAF CUTTING BEES
They cause damage to the rose leaves by cutting neat, circular or oval patches from the leaf margin and are controlled by applying 5% Carbaryl.
RED SCALE
It appears as reddish brown waxy scale like pox marks on tender shoots and stems and the affected portions dry up, for controlling it dip a cotton swap in 0.1 malathion solution and rub the affected parts. If it is on large scale, spraying of 0.1% methyl parathion or malathion should be done.
CHAFER BEETLE
Rose chafer beetle cut away the leaves. In severe cases the plants reduced to a more skeleton The damage of the beetle may be controlled by spraying 0.5% malalthion @ 2ml/l or 0.05% methyl parathion @ 1ml/l or endosulfan 0.07% @ 2ml/l.
DISEASES
POWDERY MILDEW
This disease effects the tender leaves and curl up exposing the lower surface exhibiting the white powdery growth. Infected buds do not open. This can be controlled by spraying sulphur compound i.e. thiovit 2g/l of water at weekly intervals during winter season.
BLACK SPOT
This is also very common in India and it can be distinguished by the dark brown spots which occur on either side of leaves. In severe cases leaves drop and growth ceases. This is controlled by spraying copper fungicide like Blitox, Dithane M-45 or Captan at the rate of 2 g in 1 lit of water at weekly intervals.
RUST
Yellowish to black swellings called pustules are produced on the leaves, petioles and stem imparting a rusty appearance on shoots. This can be controlled by foliar slpray with 1 kg of 'Ferbam' plus 1 kg of wettable sulphur in 500 lt of water with Sandovit as a spreader.
DIE-BACK
Affected plants show blackening as well as death of the twig from the cut an downwadrs. Often the entire plant is killed . It is controlled by spraying Mercury fungicide known as Santar which prevents fungal infection.
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