QuestionI live in Coronado 100 km west of Panama City/Panama - I used to grow a lot of roses back in Switzerland - have not seen any here so far - is the climate not appropriate? where could I find plants here (no import allowed)
thank you and best regards
Erika Kugler
AnswerFlorida soil has a problem with nematodes but roses can be and are grown successfully in Florida thanks to the Rosa fortuneana and Dr. Huey rootstocks. Grafting a rose onto these assures that the plant will thrive. The roses are grown in Florida specifically for Florida soil and climate.These roses are very resistant to nematode damage and well suited to the sandy soils of this state.
The biggest mistake most Florida gardeners make is planting rose bushes that are field grown in climates very different from yours and budded on rootstocks which are not productive and do not live long in Florida. If you are going to plant roses in your garden, buy roses grown only for Florida.
Because you have a 12-month gardening climate, the rose is an evergreen shrub that will grow and bloom for 5 - 20 years in the garden if cared for properly.
Planting is best done in November in southern Florida. Here are a couple of good nurseries to order from.Hope this helps
http://www.nelsonsfloridaroses.com/
http://www.merrygro.com/news/detail.ws?id=55
