Potted Rose – Rosa spp. and hybrids

Common Name: Potted Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa spp. and hybrids, ROW-za

Decorative Life: About 14-21 plus days. The cultivar 'Ruirosora' exhibits exceptional postharvest longevity.

Flower Color: Lavender, Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow

Availability: Year Round

Haakana et al. (2001) showed that treating ‘Ruby’ with ethanol vapors during production increased the number of flowers per plant and extended flower life after harvest. Plants grown with cyclic water availability tolerate postharvest water stress conditions better than plants grown with a constant water supply, irrespective of whether the constant watering was adequate or not. Leaf yellowing cannot be overcome by adding carbon dioxide during production. Summer grown plants generally last longer than winter grown ones. Plants should be harvested when one or more flowers at stage 3 (full color, petals just beginning to reflex). Maintain high calcium to potassium ratios (~5:1) during production as increased shelf life is likely. High production relative humidity can reduce postharvest life.

• Member of the Rosaceae (rose family).
• Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
• Common relatives include almond, cherry, apple, spirea, cotoneaster, hawthorn, pyracantha, mountain-ash, strawberry, geum, raspberry and pear.

• Flowers with many petals.
• Stems mostly thorny, leafy.
• Plant is a deciduous shrub, classed as a dicotyledon.
• Flower fragrances are various including tea-like, spicy, musky, fruity and citrus all the way to no fragrance.

Plants shipped or stored at 39F is best.

• The cut flower relatives are much better known although potted roses have become very popular in recent years.
• Even in the Middle Ages, when most plants were grown solely for practical or medicinal purposes, the rose was cultivated for its beauty alone. Yet, the rose “hip” or flower base has been known for many years as a source for vitamin C.
• Many cultivars can be planted in the landscape and will often do well for years depending on the climate.
• Needs full sun. Some favorite cultivars and their respective flower colors include ‘Sonia Sunblaze’ (coral), ‘Salmon Sunblaze’ (salmon), ‘Pink Cupido’ (pink) and ‘Valentine Cupido’ (red).
• The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant.

Ter Hell and Hendriks (1995) noted that high levels of ammonium fertilization during production caused increased abscisic acid and decreased cytokinin levels resulting in increased bud drop and root damage after harvest. With ‘Meirutral’ and ‘Mweidanclar’, Monteiro et al. (2001) noted that plants produced at day/night temperatures of 84/75 lasted longer under postharvest interior conditions compared to cooler grown ones (75/64). Hoyer et al. (1996) noted that ‘Victory Parade’ and ‘Dreamming Parade’ exhibited similar longevities but for different reasons. Although ‘Victory Parade’ flowers did not last as long as ‘Dreaming Parade’, new flowers opened under low light levels normally encountered un interior conditions whereas ‘Dreaming Parade’ new flowers did not open. Grossi and Pemberton (2004) showed that most cultivars last longer after harvest when grown under summer conditions compared to ones grown under winter conditions.