Care for Potted Rose Trees

Rose trees get dew in the morning.

Rose trees, also known as rose standards, are rose plants grafted to an upright hardwood trunk so they look like trees. The flowers are either miniatures or hybrid tea roses, according to the Maryland Rose Society. Planting rose trees in a pot allows you to move them around your garden and allows for easier winter protection.

Location

Place the potted rose plant in a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Morning sun is preferable since it dries the dew on the rose tree's leaves, protecting it from diseases. Place the rose tree among other bush or shrub roses for a charming rose garden effect.

Water

Potted rose trees need more water than in-ground roses. Check the soil every few days in your rose trees pot to see if it is dry 3 to 4 inches down. Stick your finger into the soil to check it. If the soil is dry, add water until it drains out of the bottom of the container. Do not wet the rose trees foliage when you water it.

Fertilizer

Add a 5-10-5 fertilizer to your potted rose trees once the new growth reaches about 6 inches in the spring. Sprinkle 1 tsp. around the base of the rose tree and scratch it into the soil with a spade. Water the rose tree well. Add another teaspoon of fertilizer later in the season if the tree roses leaves are yellow, grayish or brown.

Pruning

Prune the tree roses in the spring. Cut off the dead canes and any crossing canes from the tree rose at the trunk of the tree. Cut back the leftover canes to half their original size. Trim the tree rose canes throughout the summer to keep them from out growing the tree.

Winterizing

If you live in a cold climate, you will have to protect your rose tree from the weather in order for it to survive to the following year. Move your tree next to your house, facing either west or south. Wrap the trunk in a blanket and cover the top of the rose tree with a blanket on nights that drop below freezing. You can also move the tree into a garage or shed for the winter, if needed.

References

• Maryland Rose Society: Rose Standards
• Purdue University: Roses