Life is so demanding that sometimes it's hard to find time to look after your plants. But when you do, it feels so rewarding.
My roses were bursting with flowers at the height of summer, and now, although they have been given nutrients, they look tired. They need deadheading to rejuvenate them.
Deadheading is the process of removing old flowers from plants. This encourages new blooms, improves their appearance, and promotes health.
A few stems are growing inward, and the leaves and old flowers are too crowded. When they are crowded, there is no air circulation, and sunlight can't penetrate, encouraging the growth of harmful fungi and bacteria.
The hips are developing and draining their energy, so I must cut them.
When deadheading, the leaves are cut back to a five-leaflet leaf because that's where a node is, and a new sprout will emerge.
I chose the five leaflets that are growing outward so that the new growth is outward; if the first set of leaves is growing inward, I cut just above the second set of leaves that are growing outward, as the node will grow outward also.
An outward growth pattern keeps the roses airy, uncrowded, and aesthetically pleasing.
I separate the still-good flowers so I can use them for tea, rose petal jam, or rose water. I don't spray my roses with chemicals since treated roses are inedible.
That's it! My roses are now happy and ready to bloom again! I am happy and excited about the new blooms, too.
I gathered a basketful.
Now it's time for Rose tea, which is made by steeping fresh or dried flowers in hot water.
You can also use the water as a spray; it is full of antioxidants, helps rejuvenate the skin, and is great for freshening up on a warm day.
I removed the stems and the hips.
I got 2 cups full of rose petals.
I washed them gently.
I added 1.5 cups of water, 2 lemons, 2 cups of sugar, and 15 grams of pectin. I simmered them gently for about 10 minutes. (ensure that sugar and pectin are mixed first before adding so it does not go lumpy)
I transferred them into a sterilized jar. I yield three jars of Rose Jam. They can be kept for 2 years, although I will send a couple to friends; I will make more when future beheading comes.
New flowers will be back in no time! While I enjoy the old ones.
What a real treat these roses gave in exchange for the enjoyable work of beautifying them.
It's a win-win situation; everything is good except for a few painful thorns if you're not careful. That's probably their way of saying, "Hey, I am here."
Have a wonderful day, everyone! 😊
Mariah 💗🌹
