 |
Growing Hybrid Tea Roses
|
Growing hybrid tea roses did not start until 1867 when the first one was introduced by the french rose breeder, Guillot. This was called "La France" and was a cross between a 'hybrid perpetual' (repeat bloomer) and an old style 'tea rose' (non repeat, large blooms on a weak stem).
This was new and unusual in the world of roses. An elegant, show form blossom on a six foot repeat bloomer. So successful was this introduction that by the late 1900's more than 10 000 hybrid teas had been bred.
Growing hybrid tea roses took on a new meaning, and heralded the beginning of what we now call the 'modern rose'. Rose breeders realised they could successfully develop new forms of roses.
The 'Peace' rose appeared in 1945 and became the standard by which future hybrid teas would be measured, and it's acceptance was instantaneous. The age of the elegant "Tea Rose" had begun.
Growing Hybrid Tea Roses.
Probably the most popular flower in the world, the tea rose generally only produces one full size blossom at the end of a stem, rather than a cluster of blooms. Most are fragrant and repeat bloomers. Buds are conical and pointed and open to as many as 60 petals. They make good cut flowers because of the longer stems and they are available in all sorts of colors and blends.
Hybrid teas are grafted onto a disease resistant root stock which show as a knob or roundish lump at the top of the root-ball. Be careful to place this bud graft in the correct position when planting. In a warm climate it can be placed an inch above the ground but in a colder, harsher climate this should be up to two inches below the surface.
Growing hybrid tea roses is no different from other roses except for a few minor considerations. They enjoy slightly acid soil (PH about 6.5) and being repeat bloomers, a lot of energy goes into the bloom formation. This means they are heavy feeders and need regular applications of (preferably) organic rose food. Such items as kelp or fish fertilizer are a good investment. Liquid applications every two weeks would not be over doing it!
And what about your Tea rose garden?
Hybrid tea roses should be grown in beds by themselves and you should be careful about companion planting as they are particular about who they share their bed with!
Check here to find out about companion planting--->
Click here for Companion Planting.
Keep the bed weed free and clean of rose bush leaves and fading blooms. Water deeply to the roots and keep the water from the upper leaves to avoid blackspot. Plant three feet apart if you can, to allow maximum air circulation.
Provide six hours of sun, especially in the mornings, plus an organically rich soil and your hybrid teas will prosper. Teas mature in three years and last, perhaps not as long as the old style roses, but for a good ten years, if well looked after.
Some gardeners consider the hybrid teas to be the most glamorous of roses, the most 'showey', but also the most 'fussy'. There is something to this and the advice would be, that if you want good Hybrid Teas to grow in your garden you will have to devote some time to them, especially around fertilizing, disease control and pruning.
Buy disease resistant varieties to help take care of one of the three and use organic fertilizers for one of the others. This leaves some time to consider disease control, which is lessened if you have left space around the bushes for air to circulate and dry the leaves, you don't water from above and only in the morning, and you're not growing them under a tree! If you have gone "organic" this will help as well.
For information on growing roses organically check here--->
Click here to go to Organic Rose Gardening.
Suggestions for your Hybrid Tea Garden.
These Hybrid Teas are all rated above 8.5 out of 10 by the A.R.S. and many of them are my own favorites.
Touch of Class: Orange Pink.
Elina: Light Yellow and although a little temperamental, a personal favorite for it's subtle coloring.
Pristine: White and another personal favorite.
Marijke Koopman: Medium Pink, I have several of these!
Olympiad: Medium Red
Silver Jubilee: Pink Blend.
Baronne Edmond de Rothchild: Red Blend.
Dainty Bess: Light Pink.
Double Delight: Red Blend.
Elizabeth Taylor: Deep Pink.
Gold Medal: Medium Yellow.
Mr. Lincoln: Dark Red and my favorite Tea Rose!
Mrs. Oakley Fisher: Deep yellow and unusual single blooms!
Silver Star Purple or actually, technicaly, called Mauve.
Dublin: Medium Red, not to be confused with the great red climber "Dublin Bay".
If you want roses for cutting, arranging, and giving as floral bouquets, it's difficult to beat growing hybrid tea roses. Their showey bloom is often ideal for rose shows and their long stems make great cut flowers for your favorite vase. They do take a little more care in cultivation but the results are well worth it. Give them a try, after all, they are the most popular of the the rose cultivars and probably the worlds most popular flower! We should all enjoy a hybrid tea garden, start growing hybrid tea roses.
www.rose-works.com helping you get the most from your tea roses.
Return to Types of Roses from Growing Hybrid Tea Roses
