Hybrid tea roses are cultivar roses that have been created by cross breeding of two different types. The following article will help you know more about these sweet beauties that add to the aesthetic value of your garden.
One of the most common flower types is a rose. You will find most gardens blooming with delightful varieties of these plants. There are different types of which hybrid tea rose is a favorite for many gardeners. They are also a favorite for many lovers, as they produce large blooms that may grow to about 5 to 6 inches in diameter. The soft, velvety petals and the bright, vibrant colors, all add to the beauty of this flower variety. These flowers also known by other names like blooming or monthly roses.
What are Hybrid Tea Roses
I am sure you must be wondering what makes these roses different from others. They belong to the cultivar group of roses. They are produced by cross breeding of two different types. The first official hybrid tea was produced in France. It was Jean-Baptiste Guillot who accidentally bred the Hybrid Perpetual (Madame Victor Verdier) with a tea rose (Madame Bravy). The resultant flower was a flower that had silvery pink blooms with bright pink tips. These flowers were very large and were about 5 inches in diameter.
This plant is a tall, elegant plant. It produces a long stem and one flower blooms on a single stem. They flower repeatedly, and are very easy to cut. This makes them one of the most popular cut flower types due to their long stems. There are about 60 petals in a large flower. The plant grows about 3 to 6 feet tall and one can produce flowers of every color. Most of them bloom in bi-colors and are moderately perfumed.
Care for the Plant
Hybrid tea roses are hardy to grow in zones 4 to 9. When you bring home these plants, one should carefully remove the nursery packing around the roots. Then, place the plants in a bucket of water soaking the roots properly. One should allow the roots to soak up water for about 2 to 6 hours. Then, dig a hole in a planting area that is rich in organic matter, and has loose soil. The hole should be about 18 inches in diameter, so that it is easier to spread the roots. If you live in a warm area, place the bud union at the base of the plant about 1 to 2 inches above the soil level. Those who live in colder climatic regions, should place the bud union 1 to 2 inches below the soil level. This is because the bud union is prone to winter damage, and should be protected during the cold climate.
Once you place the plant in the hole and fill half of it with soil. Add a little water and remove any air pockets present. Fill the remaining hole with soil and finish off the job by pouring water again. Prune off a bit of the top growth after planting. People living in hot and sandy soil locations, should water the 3 top inches of soil regularly. If you live in a cooler, humid location, once a week watering will be enough. If you find the leaves of your rose plant turning dry and withering, you can water more. Deep watering helps in root growth and the plant can survive droughts well.
They love slightly acidic soil conditions and require fertilizers to grow. During early spring time, you need to feed a balanced fertilizer to your plants weekly. You should stop feeding your plants about 6 weeks before the first frost. During winter, you need to protect the rose plants from winter damage. This can be done by cutting about 30 to 36 inches of the tall canes and tying the tips together. Clear off any dead leaves, stems, around the plant. You should till about 12 inches of soil around the center of the plant. Then cover the soil mounds with straw, leaves, etc. Mulch about 15 to 18 inches of the soil mound. After winter passes, you can remove the mulch and soil from around the plant base. Leave only about 2 inches of mulch to make sure water is retained around the plant during summer, and prevent weed growth.
Those who regularly cut the hybrid tea blossoms, require little pruning. You should prune the plants in early spring. Make sure there are a few leaves on the stem after cutting the roses. Remove all the dead and diseased canes and the stronger canes should be pruned about 12 to 24 inches. You may find this rough on the plant, but it will encourage more growth and better blooms.
There are hundreds of varieties. Choose a variety that is suitable for you climatic conditions as well as soil type. If you are looking for rose plants that produce large blooms on long stems, and are on low maintenance, then hybrid teas should be your first choice.
