How the Experts at the oldest nursery in Houston do it
Teas Nursery in Bellaire has been a recognized leader in rose selection for over 50 years. Teas Nursery.com.
Because of his experience he taught "Plant Identification" classes for The Houston Community College for ten years.
John managed the Bellaire Garden Store from 1964 to the present and is a Texas Certified Landscape Architect #457
President of "Garden Centers of America" a division of The American Nurserymen and Landscape Association.
Member of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and registered as a Texas Certified Nursery Professional
Member Preferred Nursery Group
By John Teas
Most gardeners in the Houston area prune their show roses to 2.5' to 3' high. Beginning in mid January through mid February. Those roses pruned in January will flower in March, and those pruned in February will flower in April when most rose gardens are open for viewing.
Planting and transplanting is done mostly in the cool weather, but if you want to, it can be done any time if you look after the watering in hot weather. We like to use 99% pure worm castings as our source of organic fertilizer. Used quarterly, it balances the soil nutrient availability. We also use a tea made from it about every two weeks to discourage most pests - such as black spot, mildew, aphids and spider mites. Last year we had vigorous new growth, pest resistance, excellent flower production, size, and color.
With our wet weather, clay soil, and flat country, we need to raise beds at least two inches above the soil level for drainage. It is also better to plant roses shallow. Mulch is added to keep moisture in, weeds down, and soil cool, which helps the organic fertilizer and presents a nice look. More than two inches can suffocate the roots if we have our usual wet year.
Water newly planted or transplant planted plants deep until the water starts running out. Check on them at least once a week until the middle of May when regular weekly watering begins. You can use an irrigation system that does not spray water on the foliage, as this helps prevent disease. Turn it off about the middle of September. Some gardeners will use two inches of water a week on highly raised beds instead of the usual one inch.
We encourage an extra fine flower show in October, if we prune again in mid August. We don't cut as low as in the spring. We prefer a bypass pruner to an anvil pruner.
Shrub roses are pruned with other shrubs and at the same height, but with a hedge trimmer.
Enjoy picking the flowers.