Manuela Care

As with most garden plants, one to two inches of water per week is usually sufficient, but this varies by climate and growing conditions. Hot locations and sandy soil will need more frequent watering than cool, coastal regions. A simple rule is to water when the top three inches of soil are dry.Water the soil, not the leaves, to prevent disease. Also, water deeply to encourage root growth. Strong, deep roots will help your roses survive periods of drought.

If you are regularly cutting the blossoms, you will have less pruning to do. Prune in early spring, before new growth. First, cut out any dead, diseased, or damaged canes as well as scrawny, spindly canes of less than 1/2 inch in diameter.Prune remaining stronger canes by about a third of their length, down to 12 to 24 inches. Hard-pruning like this encourages strong stems and large flowers. It also opens and shapes the plant so it can put more energy into fewer flowers.

Start in early spring, either a month before new growth or when you remove winter protection and continue feeding weekly or every other week depending on the fertilizer being used. Stop fertilizing about six weeks before your first expected frost date to prevent tender new growth on the plants from being damaged by a change in weather.Choose a balanced fertilizer or one labeled for roses. Iron is especially important if the soil's pH is too high. If the leaves turn yellow with green veins, use an iron supplement.

Hybrid teas do best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. However, full sun improves their blooms and general resistance to disease.

Hybrid tea roses like slightly acid soil (6.0 to 6.5 pH) that is rich in organic matter. Mulch the plants to cool the roots and conserve water. Add a three- to four-inch layer of mulch in the spring, when removing winter protection. In warmer climates, mulch when the leaf buds begin to swell.

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