How to Grow the World's Tallest Roses

Vigorous tall roses require a carefully managed care program.

The height a rose plant is genetically predetermined--much like human height. The DNA pattern provides instructions for the plant cells on how many to form and in what shape. The first part of growing a tall rose is to purchase a tall rose. There are roses called tree roses, which are grafted standards and can get tall. The tallest roses are climbers, which are engineered to produce long canes that minimally branch and continue to grow upward if they have support.

Things You'll Need

• Rose bush on tall root stock
• Trowel
• Sand
• Water
• Measuring cup
• Milorginite
• Osmocote
• Epsom salts
• Manure
• Water-soluble balanced fertilizer
• Pruners
• Bleach
• Stakes
• Plant ties

Instructions

1. Plant the rose in well-drained soil with plenty of sun. Dig a hole two inches wider and deeper than the root ball, and mix in two inches of sand to increase drainage. Spread the roots out on the rose and plant it, firmly pressing the soil around it.

2. Water the rose until you see puddles forming on the surface of the soil. Mix into the soil 1 cup of Milorginite for iron and 1 cup of Osmocote. This is a slow-release, mild fertilizer that gives a continuous feed to the roses.

3. Add 1 teaspoon Espsom salts to 1 gallon of water once a month. Fertilize with the Osmocote and Milorginite once a month. This promotes strong canes for tall growth. Apply a 2-inch layer of manure around the plant for extra nutrients.

4. Water consistently. Roses need at least three inches of water per week. Check with a finger for moisture level. Do not let the soil dry all the way out.

5. Once a month, mix an all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer with 1 gallon of water, then soak the plant. Consult the package directions for the amount of fertilizer per gallon. Do not wet the leaves of the plant, and water it in the morning.

6. Prune the roses to get taller canes. There are basal and lateral shoots on a rose. Lateral shoots are old wood and basal are new canes. To encourage tall growth, prune the lateral shoots and train the basal canes upward. Allow the canes to grow for a year and only prune the tips to force extra growth. Wipe diluted bleach onto the pruners before use to avoid contaminating your cuts.

7. Continue rose care throughout the growing season. Stake the canes as they stretch upward, and remove old growth and dead blooms as they occur.

References

• Missouri State University: Growing Roses on Fortuniana Stock
• Orlando Sentinel: About Pruning Roses