How to grow Chinese roses? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and precautions

The Chinese rose is also called monthly red and monthly flower. It is not only an ornamental flower with a long blooming period and fragrant, colorful blossoms, but also a good gynecological medicine. Let's take a look below at the cultivation methods of Chinese roses.

Cultivation methods of Chinese roses

1. Selection of flower pots for growing Chinese roses

The flower pot used for cultivation should preferably allow water and air to pass through. Ordinary clay pots are best, and an outer decorative ceramic pot can be added to improve the appearance. New clay pots are best soaked in water before use. For newly rooted cuttings, use a small 15 cm flower pot; for 1- to 2-year-old young plants, use an 18-20 cm pot; afterward, gradually replace with larger pots as the plant grows.

2. Selection of potting soil for growing Chinese roses

Chinese roses like fertile, moist soil and fear drought and waterlogging. You must choose a sandy loam that is loose in texture, rich in organic matter, has good drainage and aeration, and also has water- and fertilizer-retaining capacity. They can be grown in soil with a pH ranging from 5.6—7.2, but soil from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, 6.8-7.2, is better. The growing medium can use 5 parts garden soil, 3 parts garbage soil, 2 parts rice husk ash, plus an appropriate amount of rapeseed cake. Or use 4 parts horse manure, 4 parts garden soil, 2 parts river sand, plus a small amount of rapeseed cake and bone meal.

3. Temperature requirements for growing Chinese roses

Potted Chinese roses placed indoors can safely overwinter. Pay attention to cooling during hot seasons. The most suitable temperature for Chinese roses is 18-20°C, so flowers that bloom in April—May and September-October have large blooms, many petals, vivid color, and strong fragrance. When the temperature reaches above 25°C, growth speeds up, but the flowers do not last long; under high temperatures above 30°C and humid climate, not only are the flowers small, with few petals, pale color, and faint fragrance, but various pests and diseases are also likely to occur. Under high temperature and dry conditions, leaf drop and dormancy occur, and growth and flowering stop.  Although they can continue to grow and bloom above 5°C, it is very slow. Below 5°C, growth stops and they enter a dormant state.

4. Light requirements for growing Chinese roses

Chinese roses are sun-loving plants and like ample sunlight. Daily light must not be less than 5-6 hours, otherwise the branches and leaves become weak, grow leggy, bloom poorly, and the flower color is not vivid. Generally, it is suitable to place them in a spot with sufficient light, but if placed on concrete ground near tall buildings, proper shading and sun protection are needed around midday in summer.

5. Watering methods for growing Chinese roses

Chinese roses should be watered with moderation between dry and moist. In March, when new branches and leaves grow, water once every 2 days, in the morning. In April, when flower buds form, water once a day. After entering the flowering period in May, if the potting soil is too dry or too wet, it will cause flowers to drop. Generally, water once around 8 a.m., and around 4 p.m., add an appropriate amount of water as needed. Grasp the principle of “do not water if not dry; when watering, water thoroughly.” In summer, the leaves need frequent spraying to lower the temperature.

6. Fertilization methods for growing Chinese roses

Grasp the principle of “apply thin fertilizer frequently” and avoid applying raw or concentrated fertilizer. In winter, apply a little organic fertilizer at the roots to enhance overwintering cold resistance. Before sprouting in early March, you can apply relatively concentrated liquid fertilizer such as decomposed human urine, bean cake, chicken and duck manure, or fish innards. When the buds are about to open, apply 1 additional light liquid fertilizer. In summer after the flowers fade and before the axillary buds develop, apply 1 application of medium-concentration decomposed liquid fertilizer to promote abundant flowering in autumn.

Potted Chinese roses can be given appropriate topdressing, mainly cake fertilizer: 50 grams for a one-year-old plant, 70 grams for a 3-year-old plant, and 100 grams for a 4- to 5-year-old plant. During the growing season, dilute liquid fertilizer can also be applied as topdressing, commonly using decomposed water from water chestnuts, sesame paste residue water, or dilute chemical fertilizer solution.

7. Precautions for growing Chinese roses

(1) Chinese roses have strong cold resistance and can withstand low temperatures of -10°C. Generally speaking, in the south they do not need to be moved indoors to overwinter; it is only required to place them under a south-facing eaves. After flowering in October, do not prune, so as not to cause new buds to sprout. Stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer instead, so that the branches become sturdy and full, enhancing cold resistance. Do not let them lose water when frozen, to prevent death from dry freezing.

(2) Generally, when new shoots grow to 15-20 cm, cut off about 3 cm from the top to make side buds sprout. When the side branches grow to a certain length, continue pinching until the required number of branches is reached.

(3) The soil in pots of potted Chinese roses dries out easily, and nutrients are easily lost, so during the growing period, water and fertilize in time. In spring, water thoroughly once every 2-3 days; later, as the temperature rises, change to watering once a day; in hot summer, also appropriately add water once a day. Of course, do not let water accumulate in the pot. After heavy rain, pay attention to drainage; otherwise, long-term water accumulation will cause root rot.

(4) Chinese roses should be potted before sprouting in early spring. Use decomposed sesame paste residue and water chestnut slices as base fertilizer. Place the young plant with its soil ball in the center of the pot, add soil around it until 2-3 cm below the rim, press the soil firm, water thoroughly, place in a cool place, and after one week move it to a spot with sufficient sunlight.

8. Propagation methods for growing Chinese roses

Sexual propagation is mostly used to cultivate new varieties. In home cultivation, cutting and grafting are simple and easy, and are used more often.

Cutting is mostly carried out in spring when the temperature is above 15°C, or in early summer or early autumn. To improve the survival rate, you can first perform ring-barking on the plant, and after callus tissue forms, cut off the branch and insert it for rooting.

Grafting is the main means of propagating Chinese roses. Choosing a suitable rootstock is key. Currently, commonly used rootstocks include wild rose, pink cluster rose, and others. Grafting is carried out during the dormant period, often using scion grafting. In the south, from December to February of the following year; in the north, before leaf buds sprout in spring. In the growing season, bud grafting is used. After grafting, management should be strengthened.