Rose

Understanding About ROSE

Nutritional Value of ROSE

• Rose petals are edible and used in teas, syrups, and herbal infusions.
• Rich in vitamin C, which helps in boosting immunity and skin health.
• Contains antioxidants like flavonoids that slow cell damage.
• Rose hips (fruit of Rose plant) used for herbal teas and medicines.
• Provides cooling effect, often used in Ayurveda remedies.
• Natural oil extract used in aromatherapy and wellness industries.
• Fresh petals provide a mild laxative effect, helping digestion.

Dietary Diversity Through ROSE

• Rose petals are used in sweets, jams, and sharbat (rose-flavored drink) in India.
• Rose oil is infused into culinary preparations for flavoring.
• Rose hip tea helps in diversifying herbal and healthy drinks.
• Dehydrated petals can be added to bakery items.
• Used in preparing Gulkand (traditional Indian digestive sweet).
• Rose extracts are increasingly used in nutraceutical and functional foods.
• Helps communities add diversity to food and medicinal diet.

Economic Importance of ROSE

• Rose is called the “Queen of Flowers” due to its high demand globally.
• Grown commercially for cut flowers, perfumes, and decorative purposes.
• Plays a vital role in the floriculture industry and export market.
• Contributes to farmer income due to rising demand during festivals, weddings.
• Rose oil ranks among the most expensive essential oils worldwide.
• Produces employment in nursery raising, bouquet making, and perfumery.
• Helps rural farmers diversify farming income with floriculture.

Crop Rotation Using ROSE

• Rose cultivation improves soil fertility when rotated with legumes.
• Avoid rotation with other deep-rooted crops to prevent soil stress.
• Helps manage soil pests when alternated with cereals or pulses.
• Intercropping roses with marigold or gladiolus helps additional income.
• Reduces dependence on a single cropping system and improves biodiversity.
• Keeps soil nutrients balanced by rotation with nitrogen-fixing crops.
• Rose plantations allow perennial income for 4–5 years before replanting.

Climate Resilience of ROSE

• Rose adapts well to different climates, from tropical to temperate.
• Tolerates moderate drought, though needs irrigation for best flowering.
• Resistant varieties survive under fluctuating weather conditions.
• Roses can be cultivated round the year with proper care.
• High resilience against climate stress compared to some delicate flowers.
• Perennial nature allows harvesting across multiple seasons.
• Rose oil production continues even under partial stress due to hardy nature.

Health Benefits of ROSE

• Rose water helps soothe skin irritation and redness.
• Rose herbal tea aids digestion and reduces stress.
• Acts as a mild antidepressant due to pleasant aroma.
• Used in Ayurveda for treating pitta imbalance.
• Provides hydration to the body when consumed as Rose sharbat.
• Antibacterial properties make it beneficial for topical uses.
• Rose essence promotes relaxation and mental relief.

Key Features of Rose Cultivation

Climate and Soil Requirements

• Grows best in mild climates (15°C–28°C).
• Sensitive to water stagnation.
• Needs well-drained sandy-loam soil.
• Requires 6 hours of sunlight daily.
• Winter climate suitable for maximum blooming.
• Grows in pH-neutral soils (5.5–6.5).
• Avoid saline or alkaline soils.
• Thrives in fertile humus-rich land.
• Requires protection from strong winds.
• Humid climate may cause fungal diseases.

Land Preparation

• Deep ploughing before planting.
• Removal of stones, weeds, and clods.
• Thorough harrowing 2–3 times.
• Addition of well-decomposed FYM (20–30 tons/ha).
• Raised beds for better drainage.
• Preparation of planting pits (45×45 cm).
• Mix soil with neem cake for pest resistance.
• Land leveling for uniform water distribution.
• Soil testing before planting.
• Provide fencing to protect against grazing animals.

High-Yielding and Hybrid Seed Selection

• Select hybrid tea roses for cut-flowers.
• Floribunda varieties for garden use.
• Damask roses for essential oil extraction.
• Select pest-resistant hybrid varieties.
• Use planting material from reputed nurseries.
• Choose varieties based on local climate.
• Long-stalked hybrid roses fetch more price.
• Colored hybrids increase market value.
• Drought-tolerant hybrids reduce irrigation cost.
• Ensure planting stock is virus-free.

Seed Treatment

• Treat planting material with fungicide solution.
• Dipping roots in bio-fungicide before transplanting.
• Application of Trichoderma for soil-borne diseases.
• Use of cow-dung slurry for organic priming.
• Hot-water treatment of roots for 5–10 minutes.
• Prevents spread of nematodes.
• Enhances seedling survival rate.
• Increases resistance to wilt.
• Removes fungal spores from roots.
• Ensures healthy root development.

Sowing and Planting Methods

• Rose propagated mainly by stem cuttings, budding, layering.
• Planting at 60×60 cm spacing.
• Pits refilled with FYM before planting.
• Planting done in evening or cloudy weather.
• Mulching applied after planting.
• Earthing up to maintain plant stability.
• Training and pruning for proper shape.
• Select strong and healthy buds for propagation.
• Planting season: July–August and February–March.
• Grafting ensures faster growth of hybrids.

Nutrient and Fertilizer Management

• Apply 10–15 kg FYM per plant yearly.
• 100 g nitrogen, 50 g phosphorus, 50 g potash per plant annually.
• Split dose of nitrogen improves flowering.
• Micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mg) improve resistance.
• Foliar spray of urea for healthy leaves.
• Balance fertilizer ensures continuous flowering.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen as it reduces flower quality.
• Application of organic compost.
• Neem cake for root health.
• Farmyard manure improves soil structure.

Irrigation and Water Management

• Frequent irrigation during summer.
• 7–10 days interval in winter, 5–6 days in summer.
• Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
• Drip irrigation system most effective.
• Watering at root level, not on leaves.
• Maintain soil moisture for bud development.
• Mulching conserves soil water.
• Adequate drainage is a must.
• Young seedlings need a higher frequency of irrigation.
• Excess humidity must be controlled in polyhouses.

Intercultural Operations

• Regular weeding reduces nutrient loss.
• Hoeing keeps soil aerated.
• Mulching prevents water evaporation.
• Training of shoots improves shape.
• Pruning twice a year for better flowering.
• Dead flower removal prolongs blooming.
• Staking supports tall hybrid roses.
• Earthing up for stability.
• Shade nets protect delicate shoots.
• Regular tillage improves root respiration.

Pest Management

• Aphids suck sap from leaves, buds → Spray neem oil.
• Thrips cause flower discoloration → Use sticky traps.
• Spider mites yellowing of leaves → Sulphur dust application.
• Beetles damage foliage at night → Hand picking method.
• Mealy bugs → Spraying of soap solution.
• Caterpillars → Use of Bt insecticide.
• Whiteflies spread viruses → Yellow sticky traps.
• Preventive IPM practices reduce cost.
• Herbal sprays are preferred in organic farming.
• Pest-resistant varieties help reduce losses.

Disease Management

• Powdery mildew (white patches on leaves) → Spray wettable sulphur.
• Downy mildew (yellowish leaves) → Copper oxychloride spray.
• Rust (orange pustules on leaves) → Mancozeb application.
• Black spot disease → Preventive fungicide sprays.
• Wilt caused by soil fungi → Soil sterilization before planting.
• Leaf blight → Bordeaux mixture application.
• Viral mosaic disease → Destroy affected plants.
• Root rot → Avoid water-logging.
• Regular monitoring is essential.
• Use disease-resistant varieties.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

• Harvest roses early morning or late evening.
• Cut flowers at a tight bud stage for longer vase life.
• Use sharp secateurs for cutting stems.
• Immediate dipping in clean water after harvest.
• Grading flowers based on stalk length, bud size.
• Packing in corrugated boxes with soft liners.
• Cold storage at 2–5°C for longer shelf life.
• Transport in refrigerated vans for export.
• Roses used for bouquets, perfumes, and Rose oil.
• Post-harvest management ensures higher market value.