Is there anything we can do to improve the fragrance of a rose?
Years ago I remember reading a random comment on a thread discussing Rose fragrances… And how there is a specific type of nutrient that can be added to the soil to help roses fragrance be stronger. I can’t seem to find that thread, or the information.
I recently purchased Bliss Parfuma. One of the main reasons I purchased it was because of the amazing fragrance. I smelled every bloom on all three plants at the nursery… And they all consistently had the same amazing fragrance. The fragrance on Bliss Parfuma was even stronger than that of my Bolero Rose... which is a rose I use as a measuring stick to compare all other roses by in terms of fragrance
Even when it was fully opened for a few days the Fragrance stayed consistently strong and lovely. Here’s the strange part… The new bloom that fully opened this morning... has no fragrance. It’s as though it’s not even the same Rose.
What could be causing the rose to behave this way? The rose is still in its 5 gallon nursery pot.
Could it be that the sun and heat affects fragrance development? The new bloom opened under cooler overcast conditions… Where as the blooms that were previously on the plant were in warmer full all day sun conditions.
I’m in zone 10b... Hot and dry Coastal Southern California. I’ve heard from my friends who live in the humid climates that that a rose’s fragrance will actually waft through the air. Because it’s hot and dry here… The roses fragrance doesn’t carry through the air in the same way. So anytime I find a rose with a strong lovely fragrance, it’s extremely exciting.
What could’ve happened??? Do you have any idea what might be causing this type of behavior from the plant?
I’ll attach some pictures below. The and bloom in the picture is the one that was extremely fragrant. The more apricot-peachy-pink bloom is the one that just opened this morning and has no fragrance.
Have you ever added any sort of soil nutrient or amendment in order to improve a rose’s fragrance? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with regards to Rose fragrances.
Comments (17)
K S 7b Little Rock (formerly of Seattle)
3 years ago
Diane Brakefield
3 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (11)When you applied the lime, and which lime, could have an affect on how things grew. If done shortly before planting the lime would not have had time to make any change in the soils pH and many nutrients would not be available to the plants. Lime, to have much affect on the soils pH, needs to be applied several months before that change is desired. Contact your local office of your state universities USDA Cooperative Extension Service about having a good, reliable soil test done and also dig in with these simple soil tests, Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. to see what your soil looks like and what you need to do to make that soil into a good, healthy soil....See MoreYikes. Just realized hallway only 3 ft wide--anything we can do?
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joeywyomingzone4
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
CeresMer Zone 7a NJ
3 years agosautesmom Sacramento
3 years ago
Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
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3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoAnn-SoCalZ10b SunStZ22
3 years agoNeed2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
3 years agojoeywyomingzone4
3 years ago
strawchicago z5
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoThank you, Joey for the above link. Re-post what I wrote to answer the same question about fragrance: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5957059/ph-of-soil-can-affect-fragrance
strawchicago 9 months ago
Mitch in CA was the first one to note in HMF that the old rose scent is much stronger when he was in acidic East coast, but the fruity and myrrh scent is stronger when he moved to alkaline California. I agree 100% in my decades of growing 130 fragrant own-root varieties.
The old rose scent is stronger in loamy soil with acidic rain, and the fruity note is stronger in alkaline clay or less rain (watered with alkaline tap-water).
A friend in alkaline clay & less rain California sent me Oklahoma's bloom and IT REEKED OF LYCHEE FRUIT, while an Australian in high-rain climate insisted that Oklahoma smells like old rose. . The type of fertilizer used also change the scent. With tons of acidic rain I get water-lily & old rose scent from Bolero. But the scent becomes rotten melon if I use horse manure at pH 8. But Bolero smells best at nearby Cantigny rose park, like an expensive perfume (after week-long rain).
My friend in alkaline & less rain CA also returned The Dark Lady rose since she could not smell any scent, but The Dark Lady rose has a very strong old rose scent in my garden, esp. after lots of acidic rain, I can smell it 10 feet away. I did many experiments to see if the pH affects scent, yes it does. Raising the pH by using Azomite, pea-gravel or lime on ROSES THAT LIKE IT ALKALINE (French Meilland) boost their scent substantially. But raising pH DOES NOT WORK on roses with old-rose scents, which is stronger with acidic rain such as The Dark Lady and old garden roses (Comte de Chambord or Duchess de Rohan or Austin roses with Old Rose genetics).
Raising the pH in acidic soil does bring it to neutral pH where the release of potassium and trace elements are best to enhance scent. The myrrh scent is STRONGER in alkaline pH. I took away Mary Magdalene's fabulous myrrh scent when I put ACID-FERTILIZER (with sulfur). It also broke down in mildew (1st ever in a decade), I had to water Mary profusely with my pH 9 tap-water to get its fabulous myrrh scent back. Mildew also went away once the pH is raised to release potassium & alkaline minerals & trace elements for scent. Click on below chart to see the major nutrients are most available at ALKALINE pH above 7.
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5957059/ph-of-soil-can-affect-fragranceAnn-SoCalZ10b SunStZ22
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rosecanadian
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