INTRODUCTON:
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Rose is a hardy perennial medium tall thorny shrub. Rose, the king of flowers is the world’s most popular flower. This beautiful flower with exquisite shape, variation in size and form, attractive colours, delightful fragrance and innumerable varieties, has gained wide acceptability all over the globe. Roses grow and flourish in a wide range of soil and climate condition. There are possibly 150 true species of roses.
SOIL AND CLIMATE:
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The green house should provide good light throughout the year with temperature range between 15 to 28° C. The night temperature should be between 15° to 18° C and day temperature should not exceed 30°C in any case. The growth is slowed down with the fall of temperature below 15° C. If the temperature rises above 28° C, humidity must be kept high. Higher night temperature above 15° C hastens flower development, while lower temperature around 13.5° C delays it. With higher growing temperature above 28° C quality of flower is adversely affected. During winter months, supplementary lighting is beneficial to improve quality of cut flowers. Vegetative growth, yield and quality of flowers can also be improved with the introduction of supplementary carbon dioxide up to 1000 ppm. Beneficial response of CO2 enrichment, however, depends on proper temperature and light management. Excessive variation of temperature and humidity can cause a high incidence of diseases and infestation of pests. To be successful in the commercial production of rose cut flowers, one must identify the areas most suited for their cultivation with the minimum of artificial environmental modification and control.
Growing Media
The media for growing roses under polyhouses may be soil, sand, cocopeat and rockwood. Loamy soils rich in organic matter with 50 cm depth having pH range of 5 to 6 is ideal. Soil less culture is followed in case of problematic soils. In India, most soils are alkaline and the effect of this should be modified by the use of acidic liquid fertilizers and reby replacement of saline soil with red forest soil. Soil sterilization process should be carried out before planting.
Bed Size and Spacing
Generally bed length varies from 30 to 40 m and width may be 60 cm to 1.0 m. Bed height is around 45-60 cm. Double row or four row system is followed. The double row bed system is better than that of 3 or 4 row beds. Around 45 to 60 cm path is kept in between two beds. Standard planting distance is 25 cm in rows and spaced 30 cm apart. It might range from 16 -30 cm in row and 30-50 cm between row, leaving 15-25 cm space from the edge of the bed. Usually, 60,000 to 70,000 plants are accommodated per hectare.
SELECTION OF VARIETIES:
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Hybrid Tea Roses (Long stemmed with Large Flowers) for Cultivation UnderPolyhouses
Colour Variety
Red : Top Secret, Samurai,Passion, Lovely Red, First Red, Grand
Gala, Red Success,Red Flame, red Serenade, Red Unique
White :Massai, Tineke
Pink :Pretty Girl, Noblesse, Ravel, Rossini, Sakira,Ravel, Gladiator
Vivaldi, Cram Prophyta
Orange :Naranga, Candid Prophyta, Orange unique
Yellow :Gold Strike, Papillon, yellow Unique, Aalsmeer Gold, Pareo,
Confetti, Yellow Success
Light Green :Lovely Green
Light peach : Osiana, Peach Unique
PLANTING TIME AND SEASON:
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The beds are prepared well before planting. Six-month old budded plants or one year old plants with at least two shoots are ideal. Budded plants with well formed framework perform better as compared to the plants which were raised by some other means of propagation. Nowadays, top grafted plants are also available. The plants are planted in moist soil by making holes with a trowel.
NUTRITION MANAGEMENT:
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For application of accurate dose of fertilizer, frequent analysis of soil samples is essential. Nitrogen deficiency in roses causes the young leaves to become small and develop pale green colour. Reddish spots also appear sometimes in the leaves. The stems become hard, thin and reduced in number. The flower buds develop poorly and the flowers become small and light coloured. Organic manure should be applied @ 15 kg/m2 during bed preparation. A basic application of fertilizers @ 2 kg superphosphate, 1 kg calcium ammonium nitrate and ½ kg of muriate of potash per square also should be incorporated. Further, as the plant grows 200 ppm each of nitrogen and potash should be applied through fertigation.In phosphorus deficiency, the leaves turn to dark green which may drop before becoming yellow. Root system and stems become weak and the bud development is slow. The optimum limits of nutrients in the rose plant tissues are 3 to 5 per cent N, 0.25 to 0.50 per cent P, 1.50 to 3.00 per cent K, 1 to 2 per cent Ca, 0.25 to 0.50 per cent Mg, 0.25 to 0.70 per cent S, 60 to 200 ppm Fe, 30 to 200 ppm Mn, 18 to 100 ppm Zn, 6 to 25 ppm Cu and 30 to 60 ppm B.
WATER MANAGEMENT:
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In polyhouses, nozzles (mist) and drip system of irrigation is practiced for rose cultivation. Sprinklers at low level can also be used. To distribute the water horizontally drip irrigation is used. The drip irrigation system can be subdivided into two main groups according to the location of the emitter (dripper), namely surface and sub-surface drip irrigation. In surface irrigation a single drip line between two rows of plants or one drip line for each row of plants is used. In free drained sandy soils, many drip points are required to supply sufficient water to all plants. In general, a rose plant requires water @ 8-10 l/m2, depending upon the season and crop growth.
CROP REGULATION:
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Framework of Plants
Building up a strong framework of basal shoots is very important for increasing quality flower production.
Pinching:
Young plants should not be allowed to flower immediately after planting. The pea sized flower buds are to be removed without removing the leaves. Maximum leaf area is required to build up a strong root system. Regular pinching one and half month is required to develop a good number of branching for framework development.
Bending:
Bending is a major operation necessary to get good quality cut flowers. It also helps in build up of strong framework along with good quality flower stem development. Just as the plant is 1-1.5 months, first bending can be carried out. Three–four stems arising after pinching, these should be allowed to develop dark green in colour (stem bronze or reddish leaves should not be selected for bending) and then the weaker ones should be bended. Just one or two stems strong enough should be allowed to grow to bear the flowers.
Bending procedure:
Bending should be carried out carefully. Bud should be pinched off from the branched intended to bend. The branch which arises from the main shoot of the plant, leaving two healthy leaves, the portion above is pressed hard with a twist to split the inner stem portion, than again pressed with thumb and bent smoothly towards the path side of the bed with thumb and index finger. Care should be taken that the stem does not break. The bend should be more than 90°. If the the branch is likely to break with a strong bend than two close bends can be given so that the end stem part is bended at more than 90° The two-leaf axil buds later produces strong healthy tall shoots with flowers. This process is repeated. By this process stronger shoots are selected and weak ones left as pinched stems to provide leaf cover.
Principle:
The main idea of bending is to encourage the plant for healthy framework at bottom which will give strong-lengthy stalks. The bended stem however weak, contribute in increasing carbon assimilation via enhanced photosynthesis with better surface leaf area exposed to light. Vegetative growth also gets impetus via bending which forms the basis for development of shoots. By bending treatment, the dormant buds below the bend get extraordinary impetus, through reduction of apical dominance and thereby produce long and strong shoots with flowers.
Second Bending:
First bending basically forms the frame- work for strong development of plant and healthy stems and flowers. Second bending is done at around 40-45 cm plant height which is generally to control plant height and to further maintain the strong stems for good quality flowering. This also keeps the plant balanced and trained.
Pruning
To maintain the plant height and to encourage the strong basal shoot development, pruning is essential. During routine harvesting of cut flowers, plants are automatically pruned; while harvesting the rose cut flowers, there should be at least 1 to 2 mature leaves with five leaflets left on the plant. This will encourage the new shoots to develop from dormant buds on the remaining stem. Hence, the crop gradually increases in height by this type of routine harvest. While pruning, the height of the plant is reduced by giving a cut just below the joint of the current stem and type older stem allows a dormant bud on the old stem to bear the next flowering stem. To get the strong basal shoots weak shoots are to be removed. It is important to maintain a balance between leaf cover and crop growth. Of the overall plant growth is weak, with poor leaf cover, weak shoots be retained and grown to the pea size bud stage and pinched. This shoot may be used purely as a leaf cover and a source of energy.
Removal of Wild shoots
The wild shoots i.e. the shoots arising from stock should be removed as and when seem developing. Even the buds in the axils on stock should be removed. This should be done on regular basis.
Disbudding
Disbudding is important for development of the main bud as it consists of removal of all the axillary buds just below the main bud. Disbudding is a regular process in green house and should carried out tactfully and with no delay.
Bud-Netting
The developing buds as they appear reaching maturity in 2-3 days are covered with bud nets made up of nylon nets. The bud net maintains the bud in proper shape, maintains it compactness and also helps in proper development with some effect on modified atmosphere surrounding the bud.
PESTS AND DISEASES MANAGEMENT:
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Insect Pests
a.) Aphids, Mites, Jassids, Digger wasps, Thrips, and Red scales are found to attack rose plants.
These are sucking pests showing symptoms of crinkling, curling and distorted leaves and buds. These pests can be controlled using systemic insecticides like Dimethoate @2 ml/l water or Imidachlorpid @3-5 ml/10 l water. Thiamethoxim @3-4 ml/l water is higly effective against mites.
b.) Chafer beetles and leaf eating caterpillars
These pests are found feeding on leaves making holes on leaves and eating buds. These can be controled using contact insecticides like Monocrotophos 2ml/l water or Indoxocarb @3-4 ml/15 l water or Dicofol @ 2 ml/l water.
Diseases
Powdery mildew:
This is common disease during severe winter. It shows white fungal growth (powdery mass) on foliage and stem. It can be controlled using wettablesuphur, Dinocap @ 1 ml/lwater or Calixin @ 7ml/10 l water.
Dieback:
A common problem during high humidity and rainy season. Care should be taken to apply Bordeaux paste or turmeric paste on the pruned stem. If dieback appears cut and destroy the affected part. Spraywithcarbendazim @1 gm/l water.
Wilt:
Avoid too much watering to avoid this problem and apply soil drench with carbendazim @ 2ml/l waterand spray with carbendazim + mancozeb @ 1 gm/l water.
Leaf spot and Leaf blight:
These are fungal or bacterial. If fungal (fungal colonies in concentric rings) use Bavistin or mancozeb and if bacterial (yellow hallow or yellow soft spot) use streptocycline @ 1gm/l water.
Rust:
The raised spots of yellow, orange or brown colour appear. Spray with Dithane M-45 (mancozeb) or tridemorph @7-10 ml/10 l water or withCholorthalonil @ 20 g/10 l water.
Nematodes
Root-knot nematode and Root lesion nematodes may infest the rose plants. Neem based products like Nemacur, Nemate are effective against nematodes. Besides, Ethoprop or carbofuron can also be used to control them. To avoid nematode infestation utmost care should be taken during soil-sterilization process.
YIELD AND POSTHARVEST PRACTICES:
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Yield
Under protected condition in polyhouses, however, flower yield per year per square metre in Hybrid Tea roses ranges from 100 to 200, floribunda roses 130 to 280 and spray roses 120 to 220 number of flowers.
Harvesting : As a general rule, red and pink cultivars are harvested at a stage when first two petals are beginning to unfold and the calyx are in downward position. In yellow cultivars, harvesting should be done slightly earlier than red and pink cultivars. In the case of white cultivars, however,this should be done slightly later than red and pink cultivars. Loose flowers used for garland, worshipping or for preparing perfumes etc. should be harvested only when they are fully open. For cut roses, the flower stem should be little more than what is required and bear fairly good number of leaves. The cut should always be above a healthy outward pointing bud with a clean and sharp secateur. The flower stem should be strong and straight and capable of holding the flower in upright condition. According to the market demand and the type of flowers, the stem length varies from 15 to 120 cm. Premature harvesting, nutrient deficiency and excessive water loss causes bent neck. Roses are relatively insensitive to ethylene. For reviving limp rose, entire flower is to be immersed in water for two to three hours. Each bundle of 50 flowers after picking is kept in a bucket-full of water for conditioning. Flowers picked in the evening are allowed to soak overnight. Flowers picked in the morning are kept in water at least for an hour.
Leaf Defoliation:
This process is carried out with a defoliator machine. The bunch of flowers from the cut end is held near the machine blades which is electric operated and in seconds which removes the thorns along with the leaves from the end of cut stems.
Grading: In general, 45 to 90 cm stem length of roses are harvested at a stage stated above for export market.Grading is done with scale fixed on table and this way different grades are fixed 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm and 80 cm. Soon after grading the cut stems are placed in water with Alluminiumsulphate solution (200 ppm).
Precooling: Pre-cooling is carried out at 2-5°C in cold storage to remove field heat and to prepare flowers for transportation. It also slows down the respiration and lowers water loss and reduces excessive bud opening. The cut stems dipped in water or Al2SO solution in buckets are as such placed in pre-cooling chamber or cold storage at least for 4-8 hours before bunching and packaging.
Bunching:
Bunching of 20 stems (each in a bunch) is done in staggered position i.e. 5 longer stems, than 5 shorter stems, 5shorter stems and on top 5 longer stems areplaced. The cut stems are not staggered but the buds are staggered. The varieties like Kiss and Sangria having small sized buds are bunched in un-staggered position. Rubber bands are applied on the stems. 2-ply corrugated paper is wrapped on the buds for protection.
Packaging:
Appropriate packaging is indispensable aspect of flower transportation. 5 ply corrugated fibre-board tele boxes having side vents are used for as proper packaging material. The bunches are placed horizontally in the tele-boxes in such a way that the flower heads face opposite direction. The bunches inside the box are covered with soft paper. The boxes are placed in cold room before transportation. Refrigerated transportation is preferred and if it is not refrigerated then the vents should be closed with BOPP tape.
Rehydration:
Rehydration is required to restore flower turgidity after trnsportation. Roses should be rehydrated by cutting stem ends by 2 cm and placing them in acidifying solutions like aluminiumsulphate (300 ppm) or citric acid (300 ppm) for few hours.
Some postharvest treatments for rose are given below:
Pulsing: Pulsing with 3 per cent sucrose for 18 hours at 20 C or 0.5 mM of STS for 45 minutes improves post-harvest life and quality of cut flowers.
Holding Solution for improving vase of Cut Flowers
Vase life of cut roses can be lengthened by keeping in holding solution of 3% D- fructose or sucrose plus 25 ppm Kinetin/ antiethylene agent with 300 ppm citric acid, or 3% D-fructose plus 300 ppm NiCl2, or 3% sucrose plus 200 ppm 8-HQC or 8-HQS or 3% sucrose plus 50 ppm DICA, or 3% sucrose plus 50 ppm DDM .
Bud Opening Solution
Tight cut closed buds can be developed to commercial maturity in vase solution containing 1 per cent D-fructose, 100 ppm acetylsalicylic acid 250 ppm 8-HQC Pulsing with 0.2 mMSTS for 15 minutes followed by keeping in the holding solution of 300 ppm 8-HQC plus 2 per cent sucrose is effective for bud opening.
Storage of Cut Flowers
Cut flowers can be stored wet at 2 to 5 C for 5 days.
