The full grown desert rose is a rare flower; it reaches a height of just about 15 inches. It is dark green with small blue and pink blooms. It can be planted in full sun or in shade; it prefers the shade since it doesn’t do well in bright sunlight. Planting roses in full sun will only make them more susceptible to drying out. Desert roses need at least eight hours of daylight, so you should plant them during the morning or evening hours.
Desert roses are a hardy plant that will grow well in most soils. They are tolerant of alkaline and acid soils. Good quality potting soil will need to be mixed with well rotted grit to break up the soil. If you’re planting roses in full sun, then you need to water them every other day. When planting roses in shaded areas, you can give them weekly water.
When you have found your chosen site for your desert rose garden, prepare the area by digging a hole that is half the size of the rose. In this way, the roots will not be crowded out. After digging, fill in around the new rose. This can be done by hand or with a spade. Place stones or bricks where they will drain off the excess water. After putting in the soil, water the ground and rake it to remove extra soil.
To ensure a healthy plant, prune the plant regularly. This is when you remove leaves or buds that are shedding. Aim to plant the roses in groups of four, to give each plant a fair amount of room to grow. Keep an eye on your plant and remove any dead or decaying parts.
To protect your plants from the sun, try to plant them in containers. If you live in an area that gets a lot of sun, these will work great for you. If you live in an area where it is mostly winter, however, keep your plant indoors during the day. When choosing containers for your full grown desert rose, make sure you use something that does not absorb too much water, because this can drown your plant. If you want to use containers for your plants, go organic and pick ones made from sturdy clay or glass.
While your plants are growing, you may also want to give them something to nibble on. The best food for desert plants is chives, butternut squash, or even cilantro. Cilantro has the most nutrients, so this is probably your best choice. Also consider providing your plants with manure. Manure is high in nitrogen, which helps your plants grow well and thrive.
Once your plants are fully grown and established, you may want to provide your garden with a bit of extra help. Small fountains, waterfall, birdbath, or fountain can really make a difference in how your desert rose grows. Not only does it add ambiance to your garden, but it will serve as a water source. When you water your plants, make sure you do so thoroughly. Desert plants need all the moisture they can get, and watering can cause stress to your plants if it is done too often. Try giving your plants one or two hours of water per week, and you will have healthy plants along with beautiful flowers.
A few things to remember about your plants: refrain from pruning them too much, and do not prune their growth plates. Pruning encourages growth in all areas of your plants’ life cycle. Do not leave your plants in direct sunlight, because this causes stress. Finally, water your full grown desert rose regularly and enjoy your lovely flower.