Carol;
Is there a particular time of year to prune roses? I just moved into a home that has established roses. They seem to be in deplorable condition. But they are blooming. The flowers are big and beautiful. Is there anything else that would be of help to me? I know very little about roses in Florida.
Thanks a bunch.
Mary

Hello Mary,

The best time to prune roses in this part or Florida is usually February - March, when the weather is cool. There is no dormant season for roses here.

Caring for roses in Florida starts with planting the right rose and that is one grafted on to the Rosa X fortuniana rootstock. These tough roots help roses in Florida withstand sandy soils, nematodes (microscopic roundworms that feed on the roots), and lend some resistance to the dreaded rose disease, black spot.

Plant roses in full sun with well-drained soil. The full sun is the key to good roses. Apply a balanced fertilizer regularly, water regularly, and control pest. I know, it sounds like a lot of work, and it is, rose gardening in Florida is not for the timid.

For more detailed information, visit these websites and/or publications:
Nelson Roses - http://www.nelsonsfloridaroses.com/
Old Roses for South Florida - http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/urbanhort/publications/old-roses-for-south-florida.htm
Roses for South Florida - http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/urbanhort/publications/PDF/roses-for-south-fl.PDF
Rose Culture - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG03600.pdf

I know that many of you out there gardening in Florida have lots of secrets for growing spectacular roses, how about sharing a few of those secrets?

Good Luck,
Carol