Roses are a beautiful addition to any garden, but they can be finicky during the winter months. Many gardeners notice that their roses start to develop yellow and dry leaves, and the number of flowers decreases. This is often due to incorrect winter care, which can lead to leaf curl, leaf drop, and leaf discolouration. The following are some inexpensive and effective watering techniques to help your roses thrive during the dry winter months and ensure they bloom just in time for the new year:
Rice water is excellent for roses
Rice water, which is often discarded, is actually a great source of nutrition for roses. It contains starch and vitamins that promote the growth of your roses. By regularly watering your roses with rice water, you can even skip fertiliser applications.
Roses bloom on new, young canes, so make sure to prune them regularly and combine this with rice water watering for an abundance of blooms.
Rice water is a favourite among experienced rose gardeners and is a well-kept secret to their success.
Roses love MSG
MSG is not just for enhancing the flavour of your food; it’s also something your roses will appreciate. You can dilute MSG at a ratio of 1:500 and use it to water your roses. MSG contains a high amount of protein, which helps your roses grow strong and healthy. Roses typically produce many buds, so if you want larger blooms with fuller petals, you’ll need to prune some of the buds to ensure the plant has enough nutrients to support the remaining flowers. Occasionally watering your roses with MSG is a great way to provide extra nutrition.
MSG promotes the development of a robust root system, which results in larger, longer-lasting blooms. A weak root system is detrimental to roses.
After pruning your roses, you can apply a small amount of MSG to stimulate the growth of new shoots, which will lead to more flowers. However, be careful not to overuse MSG and avoid applying it undiluted.
Sugar water for roses
Sugar water provides energy and nourishment for your roses, especially their root systems. By watering your roses with sugar water, you’ll encourage larger blooms with more vibrant colours. When your roses are young and newly planted, sugar water helps strengthen their roots, resulting in sturdier stems and healthier leaves. If you’re propagating roses, dip the cut stems into sugar water before planting them. Sugar water aids in root development and enhances the plant’s photosynthetic capabilities. Watering your roses with sugar water while they’re budding will result in more blooms and larger, fuller petals. Remember to dilute the sugar water at a ratio of 1:500 to avoid over-concentration. You can water your roses with sugar water twice a month, but avoid doing it too frequently.
Egg water and eggshells
Eggshells and egg-boiling water are excellent sources of calcium for your roses. Don’t discard eggshells; many gardeners buy them specifically for their rose care routine. If you boil eggs, retain the water and let it cool before using it to water your roses. As for the eggshells, crush them into a fine powder and add them to your rose pots. Both eggshells and egg-boiling water are rich in calcium, which benefits your roses and helps prevent pest infestations.
When watering your roses, it’s best to do so in the morning or evening, avoiding late nights. When using these watering techniques, try to avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent pest and disease issues. It’s also recommended to ferment rice water before using it, as this makes it even more beneficial for your roses.