How to Take Care of a Kordana Rose

You might not be familiar with the name ‘Kordana rose,’ but you’ve probably come across a few without realizing it. The vast majority of the miniature roses sold in florists are actually varieties of Kordana – if you’ve even been gifted a small pot of roses, there’s a very good chance it was a Kordana rose. Cheap, cheerful, and relatively easy to grow, their only downfall is a lack of any discernible scent. If you’ve recently taken ownership of this charming little plant but have no idea what to do next, here’s what you need to know about how to take care of a Kordana rose.

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Choose the Right Spot

The first thing you need to do with a Kordana rose? Find the right spot to grow it in. As Evergreen Seeds notes, Kordana roses need around 6 hours of sun each day. Without the necessary amount of sunlight, a Kordana rose will never reach its full potential. As to whether you grow it indoors or outdoors – it’s really down to where you live.

If you live in USDA zones 5 to 9, feel free to grow it as a perennial in a bright spot outside that benefits from well-fertilized soil and plenty of direct sunlight. If you live in another zone, you can either grow it indoors or switch it between indoors and outdoors, depending on the season. If you go that route, be sure to acclimatize the rose to outdoor life each summer by moving it back and forth between the shade and the sun for the first week or so.

If you grow your Kordana rose indoors, take the advice of Hunker and position it near a south or west-facing window. To make sure all sides of the plant benefit from plenty of direct sunlight, rotate the pot a couple of times a week. Although Kordana roses need plenty of direct sunlight, high heat from artificial sources is to be avoided, as are any extreme temperature changes. To avoid your rose wilting or scorching, keep it away from any heating or cooling vents.

Keep it Moist

One of the most important things you’ll need to get right if you want your Kordana rose to flourish is the watering. As The Spruce explains, most greenhouse soils are designed for constant drip watering. Without a constant supply of fresh H2O, you run the risk of your rose drying out. However, be mindful that standing water or over-saturated soil can quickly kill off even the hardiest of roses.

To keep the rose evenly moist, check the surface of the soil daily. As soon as it starts to feel dry, you’ll need to add some water. If the rose is being grown outdoors, you can go to town with a deep watering. If it’s potted, irrigate the soil to allow any excess water to be released from the drainage holes. If you live in a very dry climate, keeping the soil evenly moist can be a challenge. Fortunately, there’s plenty of ways around the problem. Ask your local florist or nursery about moisture-holding crystals.

They go by numerous names (Superabsorber, Soil Moist, hydrogel, Moisture Mizer, water-absorbing crystal, Broadleaf P4, TerraSorb, Hydrosource, Watersave, Water Crystals… the list goes on) but they all serve the same essential purpose: to keep soil evenly humid. To use, simply use a pencil to gently poke a few holes in the soil and then push a couple of crystals into each hole.

Don’t Forget to Fertilize

To keep your Kordana rose well-fed and healthy, don’t skimp on the fertilizer. Ideally, the soil should be well-fertilized before you even plant the rose. If it wasn’t, you can make up for lost time by applying a rose fertilizer once or twice a month (or once every two to three months if you use a slow-release fertilizer).

The ideal time to start fertilizing your rose is when it’s showing around 4 to 6 inches of new growth with around 5 to 7 leaves per stem. If you’re growing the rose outside, apply the fertilizer around 2 weeks after the last frost, and stop applying it around 8 weeks before the first frost. Regardless of which brand you use, make sure the fertilizer contains nitrogen (this will encourage root and stem growth), phosphorus (this will encourage nutrient takeup), and potassium (this will protect against disease). When you apply the fertilizer, be sure to spread it evenly around the base of the plant. Once it’s been applied, water the rose straight away to encourage the nutrients to soak into the soil.

Keep on Top of Deadheading

Kordana roses are small by nature, so you won’t usually have to worry too much about pruning. You will, however, need to deadhead the blooms as soon as they start to fade to encourage new ones to grow in their place. To deadhead without damaging the plant, use pruning shears to cut the stem just above the topmost leaves. If you notice any yellowing leaves or dead or dying sections, clip them away with your pruning shears.

Watch Out For Pests

Like most plants, the Kordana is vulnerable to certain pests and diseases. The good news is that they tend to be more resilient to attack than many other roses. That doesn’t, however, mean you can afford to take your eye off the ball. The most common afflictions to blight indoor Kordana roses are mildew, aphids, and spider mites.

Spider mites will make the leaves of the rose discolor, and may leave behind a telltale webbing. Mildew will take the form of a grey powdery substance on the leaves, which over time, will begin to turn yellow. Aphid infestations can be spotted by curled, sticky, discolored leaves that may be bronzed or studded with white spots, along with disfigured flower buds. Typically, the infestation will appear in early spring and in the summer months. Aphids can either be controlled via organic methods or with chemical insecticides.

If you use a chemical, make sure to follow the instructions on the label to the letter. Spider mites can be controlled by spraying the rose with water and applying several applications of insecticidal soap over the course of a week. Mildew can be prevented by avoiding overwatering and overfertilizing. If it develops, you’ll need to rinse the rose and allow it to dry. Clean the location around where it usually sits to remove any traces of mold before replacing the plant.