Question
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Followup To
Question -

Yes,

That's were I was headed, to florist roses. I assume they are grown here in the US also. Can one obtain these type for home growing?

How are long stem roses groen, I have searched and searched for books on this and can not find any.
Answer -
Hello,

Well - it comes down to genetics.  Long stem roses are always Hybrid Teas (all the other roses - with the exception of some grandifloras, hybrid perpetuals and florabundas are mostly shorter stem roses).  Any book that pertains to the care of Hybrid Teas= applies to long stem roses. The hybrid teas are disease prone - you need to spray them for blackspot, mold, fungus and insects.  Also hybrid teas require a lot of pampering.  In hot summers you may need to water 2-3 times a week, and they always require a lot of fertilizer.  I like time release fertilizer (like osmocote) that lasts at least three months and comes in granule form.  Miracle grow is good too, but is a very concentrated form of fertilizer and the result is sometimes spotty rose petals or deformed blooms (if too concentrated). These roses require at least 6 hours of full sun a day (the more sun the better - full sun is best) if it is too shady they will not bloom and become very disease prone.  Some favorite long stem roses of mine are: Chrysler Imperial, Veteran's Honor, Gold Medal, Queen Elizabeth.

Florists roses (grown in South America for instance) are a special type of roses genetically engineered for longer stems but not commercially available to home growers.  They look like a bunch of sticks growing out of the ground and are not bushy or attractive for growing in your own yard.

I hope I answered your questions.

Have fun smelling the roses-

Carlene
aka the Flowerlady

Answer
Hello-

Well, you should check out the website:

http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/index.php

**There are a few florists roses that have "escaped into the garden."  One of them is Leonidas.  On the above website it gives contact info for Nursery's that sell this rose - it has 18 to 20 inch stems.  Other florists roses that are available for gardners to buy are: Sonia, and Crystalline.  Also - you can do an advanced search on the above website and use the rose class "florists rose" and it will give you dozens of names of florists roses and the sources of where to buy them.

Good luck and have fun smelling the roses!

Carlene
aka the Flowerlady