Rosa Rosunda Germination and Planting Guide

DESCRIPTION

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Rosa rugosa grows as a summer green shrub, which reaches a growth height of about 1.50 meters. They are part of the genus of perennial, hardy shrub roses with a mix of exceptional colours. It often spreads lawn-like through underground runners. The potato rose has short, strong spikes. The alternatively arranged leaves are 8 to 15 cm long and feathered with five to nine feather leaves. The leaves are typical, creasy, potato-like. The flowering period ranges from June to September. The slightly fragrant, twitched flowers are radiary symmetrical at a diameter of 6 to 8 cm and five-count with a double flower sleeve. The five free crown leaves are dark pink to white. Their relatively large rose hips with a diameter of up to 2 cm are quite thick and turn brick red when mature.

 

GERMINATION

• Start to germinate end of March-April in a Maltese climate (hardiness zone 9). 

• Place the seeds in the refrigerator for about 3 days at temperatures of 4-6 C °. This is stratification, the process of treating seeds to simulate natural conditions that the seeds must experience before germination can occur.

• Soak seeds in warm water for about 1-3 days, the seeds that sink are germinable, and the floating seeds can be removed as they will not sprout. 

• Place the seeds in potting mix/substrate soil 1cm deep at a distance of 2 to 3 cm apart. 

• The temperature should be: approx. 20 C °  while keeping the substrate always moist but not too wet. Take something in your hand. If you can squeeze out a few drops. it is just right. Should it come out more, it is too wet. If nothing comes out, add some water and try again.

• Germination time is approximately 4-8 weeks. As the seeds start to sprout, they need enough light and temperatures of 20-24°C during the day and about 10°C at night. You transplant the seedlings outdoors from May onwards. Plant them in a sunny place.

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