How to Prune Roses in South Africa?
Rose are family of the (rosaceae), specifically (genus rosa). Roses are perennial shrubs, also known to grow in the temperate regions and they are mostly cultivated because of their flowers, which exist in various colors, white, yellow, pink , dark crimson and maroon. They have beautiful fragrance, depending on the variety and climatic conditions. Roses are erect and have climbing or trailing shrubs. Majorly, roses have 5 petals, flowers varies and ranges from tiny miniatures 1.25 cm (0.5 inch) in diameter. One of the common disease of rose, is fungi, ranging from black spot to rust.
What are the varieties of roses in South Africa?
South Africa has some of best roses in the world. The varieties are the following:
Madiba rose
Due to the love of roses by South Africa, a rose variety was named after “Madiba”, surprising right? .This variety follows with the attributes as it’s named, it grows tall, covered by shiny, dark green foliage. This variety was initiated by Keith Kirsten with the Nelson Mandela foundation, funds from the sale of the rose will be donated by Keith Kirsten to the Foundation.
Brumilda Van Rensburg
This rose is an antico modern, light pink blossom, it grows to head height, has a huge fragrance.
Esther Geldenhuys
It has soft-coral blooms, it beautifies gardens and homes.
Germiston Gold
According to the name, this has a gold color, it is known as gardener’s favorite for over 20 years with unfading and frilled blooms.
Fordyce
This variety has high stamina, tough, heat, disease and drought resistant and has pale pink roses color.
Durban July
It’s commonly recognized with clusters of blooms that change from yellow to orange to scarlet.
South Africa
This variety has high enduring ability, also tall, disease resistant and has unfading golden-yellow double blooms.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
This variety according to the name depicts truth and compassion, it has a sparkling red and tall growing shrubs, also very disease resistant.
Fairest Cape
It is slightly fragrant, used as a climber. It is not so common but it grows majorly through all seasons with clusters of boom, it could grow to chest -height.
Just Joey
This is a major autumn rose, it is beautiful variety, and you can add a green shrubby backdrop which could include an elderflower.
Now, that you have learnt the varieties of roses in South Africa, every beautiful thing in life requires maintenance, I believe you would agree?.
When is the best time to prune roses?
Major pruning should be done in early spring, late winter or early spring is the best time to trim roses, July – August is best time to prune.
How do I prune roses in South Africa?
Roses needs to be pruned for the following reasons, it encourages better growth of flowers, prevents diseases, and gets rid of damaged canes. To get started with pruning roses, ensure the following;
- Wait until you see new buds on the plant.
- When you see the buds starting to pop, or you can wait until the leaves are just beginning to grow.
- Make each cut about 1/4″ above a healthy bud. Anything between the cut and the bud will die back, in order to avoid a bunch of ugly dead canes sticking out everywhere.
- To figure out where to cut each branch, first find the bud on the healthy part of a stem. Then make your cut right above that.
- Keep cutting back until you see green inside the stem. Then, you can find the next bud down from there to make your final cut.
- Healthy canes are green around the inside edge, and lighter green or even white in the middle. Unhealthy or dead canes are brown or gray in the middle, so keep cutting until that dead stuff is gone.
- Try to make each of the cuts at a downward angle to keep water from entering the wound, and causing rot.
What are the materials needed to prune roses?
- Good gloves: For protection up your forearm.
- Heavy long sleeves :prevents you from getting “bit” by the thorns.
- Bypass shears, not anvil.
- Shrub roses can be pruned with electric hedge trimmers.
