CULTIVATION OF FLOWERS

A few flowers and plants, when properly taken care of, are ornamental to
the windows of a parlor, or sitting room; and will repay the care that
is bestowed on them. Begin with a few that are easy to cultivate, and
you will probably succeed. Persons that are fond of flowers, and have
collected a number, are generally willing to give their young friends a
few plants; and where we succeed in raising a fine plant from a slip, or
cutting, we value it more than one that has been purchased at a
green-house. Geraniums, cactus', wax plants, cape and catalonian
jessamines, and some others, are easily cultivated in a parlor. Roses,
camelias, and azaleas bloom best in a moderate temperature, as the heat
of a parlor (unless very large) dries the buds, and prevents their
coming to perfection. I have known these to bloom beautifully in a room
that was very slightly heated--either over one in which there was fire,
or in an apartment next a stove room. If the weather is very cold, they
should be removed to a warmer room, until it moderates. The windows that
are open to the south are best. When the blossoms have matured, you can
bring them to the parlor; but if there is much heat, they will not
remain perfect so long as in a moderate room.

Roses are sometimes troubled with insects, which should be brushed off
with a feather, and the plants washed with a decoction of tobacco, (not
too strong,) they will not bloom when thus infested. There is another
insect that fastens itself to the bark of lemon trees, and other plants;
frequent washing with soap suds and brushing the sterns, removes it, and
some times wash the leaves with a sponge, when the weather is too cold
to put them out of doors. Setting them out in a warm rain, or watering
them well all over the foliage, is very reviving to plants. Be careful
to have pieces of old broken earthen-ware at the bottom of each pot, to
drain them, or the plants will not thrive. The earth should be sometimes
removed, and an occasional re-potting, is an advantage; being careful
not to disturb the roots. A mixture of charcoal and sand, and rich earth
of more than one kind is thought best. Earth fresh from the woods is
good for pot-plants, as well as borders, but should always be mixed with
a stronger soil. Roses that are planted round a house, should have a
deep and rich soil made for them, and they will then bloom beautifully
all the season.

Pot plants should in summer be placed in a situation where they wilt not
be exposed to intense heat. Some persons place their pots in the earth
on the north side of the house; others keep them in a porch where they
can get some sun. They require much more water in summer. The wax plant
blooms beautifully in summer, and should be kept in a sheltered
situation, not exposed to the wind; it should have a strong frame of
wood and wire to run on, well secured in a tub or box. Hyacinths and
crocuses should be planted in pots, boxes, or small tubs, in rich earth,
in October or November; a small painted tub is very suitable, and will
hold a dozen hyacinths, and as many crocus roots. The most beautiful I
ever saw in a window, were planted in this way, by keeping some in the
sun, and others in the shade you can have a succession of blooms, they
are also pretty in root glasses, but this plan will exhaust the roots.
After blooming in the house, they should be planted in the garden. The
same roots will not answer the next year for parlor culture, they
increase very fast in the garden by proper care.

Types Of Roses

Climbing Roses

Climbers and ramblers are distinctive in that they grow very long, pliable canes. That's the only thing that sets this variety apart. Some bloom once in a season while others bloom continuously. The type of flower created by climbing roses varies as greatly as the whole family of roses, with some being very small while others are large. Some have just a few petals while others have several. The only thing they have in common is their ability to cover fences and walls, adding vertical beauty to any garden. They can be trimmed back in areas with very cold winters. These roses are not recommended for areas below zone 6. If you're in one of the colder zones, plant your climbing roses in a container that you can bring indoors, or plan to wrap insulate them in the winter. Wait until the ground has thawed and new leaf buds begin to open before fertilizing.

Antique Roses

Although hybridization and cross-breeding are natural occurrences, it is generally agreed that all roses grown before 1867--when the first hybrids were accepted, named and acknowledged by science--are officially "old garden roses." Also called heirloom roses, this family of roses includes wild roses, the ancestors of all rose cultivars. Old garden roses don't require heavy pruning, but after they've reached 3 years old, they can tolerate it. Enthusiasts recommend gentle pruning throughout the growing season, including the removal of dead flower heads, diseased branches, small branches or branches that are growing in the wrong direction, crossing the main stem.

Floribundas

If you suspect this word is a combination of "abundant" and "floral" then you might be on to something. These hybrid rose bushes bloom in clusters nonstop throughout the flowering season. These roses do well in wet climates, but some varieties don't handle winters well. To encourage more blooms, trim off the dead flower heads periodically. Fertilize frequently throughout the growing season and avoid a hard pruning. If you live in an area with very cold winters, pay attention to the zoning advice for your floribunda variety, some aren't as cold-hardy as others.

Hybrid Teas

The hybrid tea, also called the modern rose, is agreed to be the first deliberate cross-breed of roses. Found naturally occurring through Europe, they didn't gain much attention until Henry Bennett, an English farmer, deliberately bred them through artificial cross-pollination and presented them to the public. Hybrid teas take on characteristics of the tea rose, generally an abundance of petals, buds that bloom in bunches and a profuse blooming period, with characteristics of other roses, depending upon how they're bred. The high center of the flower head and the presence of sprays of flowers is typical of a hybrid tea. Most varieties are very fragrant, low-growing and winter hardy. The old garden teas have stalks that sometimes can't hold the weight of the flowers, resulting in droopy blooms. One of the "selling points" of these early hybrids was that the stems were strong.

Polyanthas

Often mistakenly called tea roses, the polyanthas are small rose bushes with bunches of tiny flowers. Most of these are in shades of pink and red, but white, yellow and orange polyanthas have been introduced. The polyantha family is a hybrid, with new varieties still being introduced. Since there are over 500 varieties of polyantha, the care instructions vary greatly. Generally, they do not require pruning and are winter hardy. Check your specific variety, however, and be aware of your growing zone.

Miniature Roses

Miniatures, roses with smaller flowers, generally grow shorter than other varieties, usually 12 to 36 inches tall, making them ideal for the edge of the garden or under a window. Some are climbing and can be grown as ground cover or trained to a low fence or wall. They do not require pruning, but clipping spent flower heads will encourage a longer blooming season. They grow well in pots. They are cold-hardy, making them an excellent choice for colder climates. To make matters more confusing, some varieties of miniatures, like the Hurdy Gurdy, a climber, can grow very tall. Kitty Belendez, of the Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society, has one that's reached a height of over 8 feet tall. She states that miniatures are the easiest rose to grow because they require very little care. They generally need lots of sunshine, one hard pruning before the winter and periodic deadheading. If you wish to fertilize, make sure that the soil is wet . Repot miniature roses as needed if they're not planted in the ground.