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During the days of Indian summer, when the thermometer shows high temperatures, people wonder whether it is possible to water roses in the fall, because the conditions are similar to summer: drought, bright sun, heat. This is usually the best time to prepare the plant for winter. In 1-2 warm weeks you can accomplish a lot without waiting for the onset of cold weather and prolonged downpours.
Should roses be watered in the fall before winter?
In summer, plants need regular but moderate watering. But what about the situation in the fall, when the chance of precipitation increases? Excess moisture is a dangerous matter, especially for such a fastidious crop as a rose. And although water is necessary for the roots to support growth processes, its amount should be reduced to prepare the plantings for winter.
Advice! If the rains become more frequent, you should cover the roses with film. In the fall, this is a necessary procedure.
Some experts say that it is better not to water in September - roses should stop developing and go dormant. Others claim the opposite, citing personal research. Still others take an intermediate position: they recommend moisturizing roses only in early autumn and only if precipitation is not expected. Most gardeners agree with the latter.
Do not forget about the importance of moisture-recharging watering of roses in the fall
Moisture-recharging irrigation is carried out to protect plantings from frost. If you stop watering the crop in the fall and the weather suddenly worsens, the dry soil will freeze in large layers. This will lead to a deterioration in the health of the plantings and, possibly, to their death.
If the ground is saturated (but not overfilled) with moisture, during sudden cold weather only the upper part will freeze. It will be covered with a crust of ice, which will prevent frost from penetrating deep into the soil.
It is possible – and even necessary – to water roses in winter. But be extremely careful.
Timing of autumn watering of roses
With the arrival of September, it is important to look at the condition of the soil where the plantings are growing. The site should not be swampy, especially in the autumn. Excess water leads to oversaturation, as well as to stimulation of the growth of shoots, which cannot quickly adapt and die during the sudden onset of cold weather.
Excess moisture leads not only to the formation of green buds, but also to the growth of surface roots. And since they grow close to the surface, they simply cannot survive the cold. Such roots die off first.
To avoid this, it is necessary to control moisture consumption and check weather forecasts. There is no need to water roses in rainy autumn; on the contrary, the plantings should be protected with a special shelter. To do this, you can use arcs with polyethylene.
No one can tell you the exact timing of when to water roses. It depends on the region and what the forecast is for the coming month. In the Moscow region it is recommended to do this in September or early October.
In the middle zone, watering is carried out in the first ten days of September
How to water roses in September
The optimal period to water roses is September. This month, 10-15 days are allotted for watering, in fact, the entire Indian summer. During this time, the bushes will be sufficiently saturated to survive the unfavorable period.
Before the onset of the first cold weather, plantings should be watered abundantly. Up to 15 liters of liquid are spent on one plant. Climbing varieties - at least 30 liters. The technology used to carry out moisture-charging irrigation differs among different species. Dwarf roses are not recommended to be over-watered; 5 liters is enough for them.
When frost arrives, flowers should be cut and hilled, and after a few days left to overwinter under cover
When to stop watering roses in the fall
With the onset of frost, the irrigation regime has to be changed. At the beginning of autumn it is reduced, and closer to October it is stopped altogether. Watering roses in mid-autumn is contraindicated if the gardener lives in cold regions, the middle zone and the Moscow region. In the south this is allowed. But they do this only if it is a dry September.
Conclusion
You can water roses in the fall, but this should be done taking into account weather conditions and the characteristics of the variety. Experienced gardeners never neglect the forecasts of local weather forecasters. They provide accurate information about the upcoming weather, which allows you to prepare for the consequences in advance. After watering, the roses need to be trimmed, spudded, and covered with spunbond.
