Grow Long Stem Roses at Home
A bouquet of long-stem roses can be a beautiful way to make a statement. A single graceful flower atop a long, lush green stem takes time and effort to achieve, and because of this unique quality, these flowers are considered elite. Buying them from your local florist can be very costly, leaving many enthusiasts to wonder how to grow long-stem roses at home. Though it takes a bit of maintenance, if you have some time to invest in caring for them, you can grow your own long-stem roses for a fraction of the cost of purchasing them.
Steps
- Plant rose varieties that are best suited to produce homegrown long-stem roses. Some of the best options include, but are not limited to, Bridal White, Antique Silk, Kardinal, and Aalsmeer Gold. These rose bushes are hardy enough to withstand garden living, yet are still capable of producing longer stems if well maintained.
- Read the care instructions very carefully for the rose variety you select. Choosing the right location for your rose bush is essential to success. As a rule, select a spot where the roses will be out of direct sunlight. If necessary, create a shaded spot using a tarp or other human-made shelter placed above the bush.
- Use garden shears to prune away all but the topmost bud on each stem of your rose bush. Most rose bushes will initially produce several buds per stem, and you'll have to gently remove any additional buds in order to help your 1 long-stem rose grow larger. Take care as you snip during the pruning process to avoid damaging the main bud or the stem it sits on. When done properly, your stem should resemble those sold in florist shops.
- Use your shears to cut off any surrounding or supporting branches on each stem. Only the stem, leaves, and central or topmost bud should remain. Prune the branches carefully, so that you don't cut into the tender meat of the flower stem.
- Select a fertilizer specifically made for roses to nourish your flowers. If you cannot find such a specific option, choose a humus fertilizer, which you can find at a local garden shop.
- Follow the manufacturer's guidelines very carefully when applying the fertilizer to your roses. Using too little means you aren't feeding the roses enough and too much will burn the flowers and cause them to die.
- Water the rose bushes every 2 days. Rose bushes and their blooms need at least 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) of water every week, split up between waterings, to thrive. If you live in a hotter climate, you may need to water more frequently or in greater amounts. An ideal test is to check the soil your roses are planted in. If it's dry to the touch, your roses are thirsty.
- Spray the buds with a misting bottle once they form, and continue to mist them every time you water. This process keeps dust and dirt away from the flower and helps to moisturize the petals.
Tips
- Obviously, the longer you can encourage the stems to grow, the better. But when the bud begins to blossom, it's time to cut the flower. If you wait too long, the flower will fully bloom on the bush. The ideal time to cut the flowers is when the bud is slightly opened and before it actually begins to flower. Snip the stem as close to the base of the bush as possible to get the longest length for your stems.
- If you are very serious about rose gardening and want to take it to the next level, you may want to invest in a greenhouse. There are a number of options available that you can build or purchase ready-made, but the controlled temperature of a greenhouse is a vital requirement to growing long-stem roses. You can research different greenhouse styles online or at many local garden centers or nurseries. While the initial cost may seem expensive, if you frequently buy long-stem roses, the cost can be recuperated.
Things You'll Need
- Rose bush
- Tarp (optional)
- Garden shears
- Fertilizer
- Water source
- Misting bottle
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