Caring for Rose Trees
Caring for rose trees is actually much easier than the playing card soldiers from Alice in Wonderland would have you believe. Rose trees, also called rose standards, are just like rose plants and bushes; only they have been trained to grow to resemble trees. Rose trees have long, skinny canes that are about a meter long, and full, rose covered foliage at the very top. They resemble lollipops. These trees are made by creating two grafts. One at the top supports the hybrid tee and the other at the bottom near the rootstock.
You can't graft your own rose tree at home, so you will have to buy your rose trees from a nursery. The best time to bring your rose tree home is in early spring. Examine your rose trees carefully before you make any purchases. Rose trees are susceptible to disease, just like regular roses are. Choose a young, health plant that is potted in moist soil. There are a ton of varieties of rose tree available today. You might want to consider investing in some Knockout rose trees. This varietal is the most low maintenance rose on the market. It is less susceptible to diseases and requires little pruning and no dead heading.
The most important factor in your rose standard's success is where you choose to plant. Obviously, rose standards are extremely top heavy. They won't thrive anywhere where they are subjected to harsh, drying winds. A strong wind is capable of snapping your rose tree's cane. Furthermore, the canes of rose trees are especially prone to sun scald. You need to choose a nice, semi shady spot for your rose tree. Otherwise you risk burning and killing it in direct sunlight. Rose trees are also in danger during the coldest parts of winter in states where it freezes and snows. It is worthwhile for you to note that rose trees will grow in either pots or the ground. If you live somewhere very cold, it might be a good idea to grow your rose tree in a pot so that you can move it to a warmer spot in winter. If you live somewhere very hot, on the other hand, you can move your rose tree out of the sun when it gets too intense.
Your rose tree is definitely going to need to be staked. The foliage and flowers of your rose tree are balanced upon a thin cane that really is barely capable of bearing their weight. If the tree is subjected to wind or you bump into it, you risk breaking the cane and killing it. You can help to protect it by carefully staking it with two or three stakes. These stakes will probably have to stay on the tree for its whole life. You will also need to carefully prune your tree so that it does not get even heavier on the top. Prune your tree so that the thickest, heaviest parts of the foliage rest nearer to the bottom and make sure to cut out any dead branches.
