Cut roses


That is quite an order - dry, hot, windy - but I've seen rose gardens in Australia with the same problem and they are able to create lovely cutting gardens.
Before anything else, the preparation of the ground is essential. Really good soil that will retain moisture - with mulch mulch mulch. The richer the ground the better.
A drip system that will provide plenty of water as the roses will be under stress in that hot climate.
I have mine turned on to work in the middle of the night.
Hybrid Teas will offer the longest vase life although there are floribundas and Austin roses that do very well in hot weather ('Graham Thomas' is one example). The problem with HTs is that they require a lot more maintenance that other roses.Most Austin roses like warm weather and are fragrant.
Fragrant roses - look on the website for Heirloom Roses on the Internet as they have the best collection of fragrant roses. They are own-root, which is the only kind I buy any more, but they are small plants that take a little longer to establish themselves but are stronger and virus-free. Plan on taking 3-4 years until the roses are producing the flowers you want.
You do not need to spray. Do not use chemical fertilizer. Don't panic if the first results are not outstanding. Patience.
The Chinas and Teas are good subjects for your climate, although not all of them make good cut flowers. A large bouquet of 'Monsieur Tillier' I saw two weeks ago was stunning, long-lasting, but no perfume. So you may have to make trade-offs. Bill Grant, coastal California


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