TECHNICAL KNOW HOW FOR ROSE CULTIVATION

AGRO-CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS

Plenty of light, humid and moderate temperature ranging from 15 degree Celsius to 28 degree Celsius may be considered as ideal conditions for roses in the tropical and subtropical climate of India. At temperature below 15 degree Celsius roses can be grown, but the interval between flushes become longer. At higher temperature, say above 30 degree Celsius, roses can be grown provided high humidity is maintained and evaporation is slowed down. Well drained soil rich in organic matter and oxygen is good for roses. Organic matter as high as 30 percent in the top 30 cm of the growing buds is preferred by many growers. The pH of the soil should be around 6 to 6.5.

 

LAYOUT AND PLANTING

 There could be 5 beds each of 1.20m width per 8 m bay. The width of the path could be 0.40 m. There could be two rows of plants per bed. These may be ridged so that roots are well aerated and kept clear of any standing water. The lower number of rows per bed and higher number of paths allow better air circulation.

 

 MANURING

Organic manures are required to be added so that top 30 cm of the soil has 30% organic matter content. A dose of 15 Kg manure per square meter has been taken into account for estimating the cost.

FERTILISER REQUIREMENT

Application of nutrients should be based on analysis of soil and plant.

• Nitrogen and potassium = 200 ppm
• No. of applications = Twice a week for 7 months along with irrigation
• Phosphorus = Soil application @ 1.8 kg/m3
• Other Nutrients = Lump sum provision has been made

 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE

Rose plant requires a lot of water at least 6mm/day i.e. 60cum/ha/day. A drip irrigation system should be arranged of the following heads to deliver the required water

• Main Line - 70mm
• Sub-Main Line - 40mm
• Lateral line - 3mm

A drainage line may be laid below the beds for disposal of excess water.

 

 PEST AND DISEASES

The principal pests of rose are - 

• Red spider mite
• Leaf rollers— 
• White fly
• Thrips— 
• Aphid

The principal diseases are - 

• Powdery mildew
• Downy mildew
• Botrytis
• Prunning dieback
• Black leaf spot

  CONTROL

The preventive spray programme with a volume of 1500 litres/spray at an average interval of once in a week is suggested.

 

The chemicals could be as under.

• Dithane M-45 0.6 gm/litre
• Metasystox 1.25 ml/litre
• Karathane 1.00 ml/litre