Rose of Waikiki

Rose of Waikiki belongs to two groups at the same time: floribunda and grandiflora. This plant blooms several times per season. It is low, heat-resistant and, according to numerous reviews of flower growers, one of the best in terms of unpretentiousness and high decorative qualities.

The breeding victory, called Waikiki, happened in 1986 in New Zealand. The author of the variety is Samuel McGredy IV. He focused on not quite the usual color: coral pink with a cream back, as well as unusual carved teeth. The color is very rich and bright. Since the variety is intended for cutting, it fully justifies its functionality: in bouquets, the rose looks accentuated, tender and bright at the same time.

In terms of size, the flower can be called medium, it is about 8 cm in diameter, terry in terms of the number of petals. Flowers are located in inflorescences. One stem grows from 5 to 10 flowers. The aroma of Waikiki is weak, but special: it gives off pleasant light spices.

The bush of the plant is strong and branched, often 60-70 cm in height, but it can grow up to 90 cm. And in width it reaches half a meter. The leaves of the variety are dark green. Young leaves are called beet leaves, and this association is accurate. Waikiki will grow well in partial shade and in the sun, in fertile and drained soil.

You can start with the merits: the variety tolerates heat quite well, but it also withstands frost. The rose rarely freezes (tolerates frosts down to -23). And it is also highly resistant to rain, which sets it apart from other brethren. The resistance of the variety to diseases is called good, especially to powdery mildew, black spot. Waikiki looks perfect in a flowerbed and in a rose garden, in mono-bouquets and in composite bouquets after cutting.

Of the minuses, it can be noted that the variety requires shelter, but such a requirement can hardly be called a serious sin. It is important that the area where the variety is cultivated is well ventilated. The requirement is mandatory. Will not tolerate a subspecies of drafts, this can ruin the rose. Someone may attribute the modest height of the variety to the disadvantages, but this is its charm: the rose looks compact, magnificent, beautiful.

It blooms quickly and profusely. And it belongs to the re-flowering varieties. Many buds grow on one branch, it is a prolific plant. The attraction in Waikiki is that flowering can be almost continuous, all summer. But each flower individually will not last long.

The variety prefers rich, fertile and always drained soil, because the root system of roses goes deep. It is better if it is a sunny place protected from the winds. Since the flowers are relatively large, you should not thicken the planting. Planting is best done in May, and before planting, the seedling needs special treatment.

It should be stored in a cool place so that it cannot dry out. You can plant a seedling in a large and deep container immediately after purchase, and then send it to the open ground by transshipment in May. For the winter, almost any variety in the floribunda group needs shelter (and this shelter assumes adequate ventilation). Without ventilation, the rose runs the risk of drying out.

Seedlings are usually sold with a closed root system. The roots are in soil, wrapped in paper and wrapped in polyethylene. And already a plastic bag is in a cardboard tube with a plastic bottom. On the tube, you can usually see a photo of a flower with a description and a detailed planting scheme: it must be followed, this will be the most accurate instruction. In any case, when planting, the tube and polyethylene are removed, but the paper must be left. It protects the soil ball from decay and prevents the roots from being injured.

In seedlings, the stem is well formed, at the grafting site it is at least half a centimeter in diameter. It also has 2 or 3 main shoots and the same number of main roots, each at least 2 cm long. The seedling shoots are usually covered with wax and cannot be removed. It does not allow the seedling to dry out and does not at all prevent the buds from waking up at their hour.

A hole is dug in advance, the bottom is drained and the plant is sent there so that all the roots are delicately straightened. The trunk circle is compacted, and then spilled. After the soil subsides, the earth is filled up. There should be no stagnation of moisture at the planting site, which means that a hill is better suited to the rose. It is good if the soil is slightly acidic.

The rose needs regular watering, which is not carried out in the heat, in the active sun. Only in the morning or in the evening. Usually the variety is watered once a week, this is enough. Pour a bucket of settled water under each bush. Water should not fall on the bush itself. If the heat is intense, you can water Waikiki twice a week (but in general it is not afraid of the heat).

The plant also needs fertilizing: in the spring it will be nitrogen complex compounds, in mid-May and at the end of June - mineral fertilizers, which, however, alternate well with organic matter. And at the end of October, formulations with phosphorus and potassium will be most appropriate. In the first year after flowering Waikiki, you can not fertilize, except perhaps with a complex composition, which is introduced into the hole during planting.

Loosening is necessary for the plant, usually after watering. No more than 10 cm deep so as not to disturb the roots. Also, the soil should be mulched with hay, peat or foliage. When sheltering for the winter, all the stems are cut in half, the height of the plant from the base is 40 cm. And you also need to remove all the leaves and flowers. The bush is spud by 20 centimeters, covered with spruce branches, and on top also with non-woven material.

It rejuvenates the bush well, and also forms it. The spring procedure is considered the main one. Dry, frozen and injured stems must be removed. And healthy ones are cut to 15 cm from the base. That is, 3-5 healthy strong shoots with 3-4 buds should remain. Summer pruning is considered preventive: you need to remove wilted and fluffy buds, dry and deformed leaves. In the fall, the bushes are also pruned in preparation for winter.

It is very important that the bush is not afraid of powdery mildew - probably the main misfortune for roses. Black spot attacks it extremely rarely. The variety is also practically not afraid of pests. With adequate care for his health, you can not be afraid.

Those flower growers who got acquainted with the variety in practice, note that Waikiki becomes the "star" of the site, ennobles the garden. The rose is extremely good in bouquets. She hardly gets sick, her care is simple and predictable. But it also happens that a seedling is bought from an unscrupulous seller, which is why there are also re-grading and simply a mismatch of the plant with the declared characteristics. It is better to buy a rose in trusted places, because it is not cheap, disappointment will be doubly offensive.

In general, the variety is very attractive, it is especially famous for its delicate color and unusual shape of the petals. And the light amazing aroma makes you cut roses again and again, so that at home in the bouquet notes of spices feel like a natural air freshener.