Roses are among the loveliest of plants, but to keep them blooming beautifully, you’ve got to water correctly. The real key is remembering that roses need regular, deep waterings followed by enough time for the water to be absorbed and the soil surrounding the roses to become dry. That amounts to applying about an inch of water once a week – or 2-3 gallons per plant at a time.
You can use a traditional watering can to apply 2-3 gallons of water around the outside edge of your roses. Always avoid wetting the plant’s foliage and bud union, which are most susceptible to fungal disease during the cool evening hours.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
If consistent watering is a challenge due to your schedule, consider installing an
automatic drip system. This type of irrigation is reliable, inexpensive and easy to construct. Some systems even have rain sensors. (Consult your local home-improvement or hardware store for details.)
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
When properly prepared, your rose bed should absorb all the water as it’s applied. If water begins to run off too soon, move on to water another rose or shrub for a few minutes, then return and complete the previous task. When you finish watering, the soil should be wet deep down – if you’re in doubt, turn the area between plants with a spade a few hours after watering. The soil should be moist at least 6-8 inches beneath the surface.
If it rains, take the extra water into account, noting the difference between a little sprinkle and a ½ inch or more. Delay your next watering accordingly. If the weather is cool, cut back on the frequency of irrigation, but not the amount applied.
Remember to always water roses at their roots – that means no sprinkler action wetting the foliage. Envision an imaginary circle drawn around each plant, as wide as the distance from its stem or trunk to its outermost leaves. This circle – the “drip line” at which water would cascade off the plant’s leaves in a rainstorm – marks the position in the soil of your rose’s fine hair roots. It’s these roots that collect water as it penetrates into the ground. That drip line is the best spot to apply your water. So there’s little reason to wet foliage, canes or bud unions.
Avoid spraying the leaves unless the temperature is warm, air humidity is low and the leaves will completely dry before sundown. Any water left standing on foliage in cool evenings will just encourage the three major fungal diseases: black spot, powdery mildew and rust.
The following images and captions demonstrate the easy steps to take when watering your roses.
Watering Basins
In regions that experience long periods without rain, construct watering basins around each plant to avoid runoff. Make them 24-30 inches in diameter and 4-6 inches deep.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Watering Mound Roses
In regions with frequent precipitation during the growing season, mound soil around the plants to help water drain away.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Watering Roses - Step 1
Before watering your roses, check that the soil around the plants’ roots has lost moisture by digging 4-6 inches down with a hand trowel. If the soil is still damp, delay watering until it dries.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Watering Roses - Step 2
Apply 2-3 gallons of water every time you need to irrigate, adding it slowly as it penetrates. Avoid wetting foliage, the central stem or the bud union on budded plants. (Consider using a hose attachment that allows water to come out slowly so the water can penetrate the soil instead of running off the site.)
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Watering Roses - Step 3
Rake any disturbed mulch back into place over the soil by your roses, making sure it doesn’t touch the rose’s woody stem. (Mulch helps prevent root suckers from sprouting, keeps weeds down and retains soil moisture for longer intervals between waterings.)
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
