No doubt every rose hobbyist, like I used to do, covets the possession of roses in bloom all year round.
But anyone with a small greenhouse or who plans to build one will find it relatively easy to obtain. It’s unnecessary to procure special greenhouse stock, for your garden rose plants will fill the bill perfectly.
In our greenhouse, which is 14’ by 25’ feet, the entire center bench is devoted to the growth of two types of roses, the greenhouse and the garden varieties, and it has been our experience that the outdoor types dug in the fall from the garden and planted in the greenhouse work out very satisfactorily.
Preparation and Benefits of Greenhouse Rose Bench
First of all, when we built our rose bench in the greenhouse, we allowed ample depth, for roses require deeper soil than most greenhouse crops.
Specifically, our bench is built to a depth of 8” inches instead of the usual 5” inches for ordinary greenhouse use.
Next, the bench is filled with good garden loam, manure, and compost, prepared in the proportions of approximately two parts loam to one part well-rotted manure and compost, thoroughly mixed.
Selecting and Preparing Rose For The Greenhouse
We took rose plants from the garden that we felt would give a good amount of bloom under glass—varieties like Brandywine, Mine. Butterfly, Cecile Brunner, Pink Princess, Floradora, White Briarcliff, and several others.
Of course, one could just as well use plants fresh from the nursery, and some of the newer varieties, notably Pinocchio, are also known to give good results.
We waited until the plants were practically dormant and had been through several killing touches of frost.
While this wait may not be necessary, it is nevertheless preferable that the plants be given a resting period before they start to grow again.
After digging, all leaves were removed from the canes, and the growth was cut back to three or four eyes.
Extra long root growth was also cut off so that the plants could be properly set in the 8-inch depth of the bench. The roots were spread out like when planted in the garden, firmly set on the bench, and watered heavily.
Observing the Growth and Progress of Greenhouse Roses
Last year, we kept a photographic record to show just how the plants reacted. For the subject of our record, we chose (of all things) a plant of the sub-zero Hybrid Tea variety Pink Princess, which had grown outside for five years and was a strong, sturdy plant with canes 3 ½’ to 4’ feet long.
The plant was benched on November 11, and our first picture was taken on November 25. At that time, the roots were starting their work, and swelling of the eyes was noticeable.
By December 8, when our next photo was taken, growth was nicely underway, and the new canes were about an inch long. All the canes were showing good development, and there were working eyes on each cane.
On January 1, we made our third picture. By then, the new growth was getting along to the point where it was from 8 to 12 inches long, and flower buds formed.
By the time we took our next picture on February 16, the stems were 2 ½’ to 3’ feet long, with flowers almost ready to break open.
Less than a week later, on February 21, when we took our fifth picture, we had one fully opened flower, one bud in perfect form, and several more developing rapidly.
Maintaining Proper Greenhouse Growing Practices
Does it go without saying, of course, that? Good results with roses require proper greenhouse growing practices like any other plants under glass.
The temperature should be maintained at 54° to 58° degrees Fahrenheit at night, and ventilation should be controlled as closely as possible so that the upward variation during the daytime does not exceed much above 15° degrees Fahrenheit.
Our plants are sprayed almost daily, in the morning, so they are dry comparatively quickly.
Watering of the bench is done about once a week, depending upon the humidity in the atmosphere and the amount of sunlight.
Control Disease
A sharp eye must be kept on the foliage so that the black spot is kept to a minimum. Leaves that show a start of the black spot are immediately picked off the plants.
In general, disease control is handled regularly using sprays and dust. Mildew has not been a factor because we watch carefully that the plants do not experience sudden temperature drops.
Feeding and Care For Greenhouse Roses
Organic compounds, adding a small amount of superphosphate, are fed sparingly as a soil dressing at intervals of two to three months.
Roses Between Greenhouse and Garden
This year, we have allowed the roses to continue to bloom all summer. Some of them will be moved outdoors again this fall so that they may have their rest period this winter, and other plants will be brought in from the garden.
If you want to continue the fun you are having by growing roses in the garden, try some of them in the greenhouse. You will find it tremendously interesting and thrilling.
44659 by C. Eugene Pfister