Roses are easy to grow and remarkably resilient especially when you grow your roses using organic, sustainable methods. Roses have long gotten a bad 'rap' of being difficult to grow, when in actuality you only need to focus on a few basic points to have good results.

• Select disease resistant rose varieties: The best way to keep your plants free from pests and diseases is to start by selecting disease resistant varieties and then to grow them using only organic methods. Typically own-root roses have a higher disease resistance than grafted roses which are susceptible to viruses.
• Throw out the Miracle Gro and other high nitrogen, synthetic fertilizers: Synthetic fertilizers promote fast flushes of new growth which in turn promote insect infestations. In addition, synthetic fertilizers only feed the top growth of the plant, doing little to promote a healthy, vigorous root system. Organic fertilizers will feed the soil which in turn results in a healthier plant that can fight off most pests.
  
• Use organic methods when pests do appear: Even the healthiest of roses will at times get aphids or thrips. To deal with these pests first remove the diseased branch. Next, you can either mix up a spray bottle of organic soap and water and “drown” the insects or for a little more punch try Monterey Garden Insect Spray, an organic garden spray that is OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) listed and works using Spinosad. Monterey Garden Insect Spray also works great on lawns, vegetables, ornamental shrubs, fruit and citrus trees and herbs.
• No overhead watering: Water at the base of the rose and rather than lightly watering everyday, soak your roses several times a week to promote deep roots, which will help the plant fend off drought stress during the summer.
• Trim, trim, trim: Out are the old days of spending hours trimming a rose bush, instead trim or shear your roses as you would an ornamental shrub on a regular basis to promote better branching and stronger canes. Do trim out inside canes or canes that are rubbing each other. Do dead-head to keep roses reblooming during the summer.

Browse our container grown pesticide-free roses , grown using only organic methods.