Why are the new leaves of Chinese roses red?
Here is an introduction to the knowledge about why the new leaves of Chinese roses are red, let's learn about it together.
Recently, many flower enthusiasts have asked, their Chinese roses have sprouted, but the new leaves look abnormal, what should they do? Today, let's take a look at what kind of new leaves are normal, what kind of new leaves are problematic, and the correction methods.
Normal new leaves of Chinese roses
In early spring, when Chinese roses just sprout, the new leaves are usually red, some are dark red with spots, some are green, and some are yellowish. So, what kind of leaf color is normal?
In fact, the color of new leaves varies from different varieties of Chinese roses. Most varieties have red new leaves and red branches, as shown in the picture above.
Some varieties of Chinese roses have dark green new buds with a hint of dark red, and the leaf edges are more明显的 red. This kind of new leaves often appears in strong-growing varieties, such as Honglong and Imperial Carriage, which are vigorous climber roses.
Like the climber variety 'Romantic Baby', the new leaves are overall dark red with green patterns, and as the new leaves grow, the color fades to the leaf edges, turning the leaves into grass green.
Some Chinese roses have new leaves that appear slightly yellowish with red, and many flower enthusiasts think this is a sign of nutrient deficiency, but it is actually a normal state. The new leaves will gradually turn green.
Some small-flowered varieties of Chinese roses often have green new leaves, which is also a normal state.
If your Chinese roses have new leaves that are consistent with the above states, there is no need to worry, they are all normal. However, if the following phenomena occur, measures need to be taken.
Problematic new leaves of Chinese roses
When our Chinese roses have new leaves that look like the picture above, with嫩yellow leaves, green veins, and yellowing between the veins, it indicates that our Chinese roses are deficient in nutrients.
Or if the new leaves are overall yellowish, very pale, and the edges of the leaves are red, it also indicates a nutrient deficiency, and the degree of deficiency is more severe.
The nutrient deficiency mentioned here does not refer to a lack of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, but a lack of iron, a trace element. This iron deficiency cannot be corrected by applying growth water-soluble fertilizers.
So why do Chinese roses have iron deficiency?
The most common cause of nutrient deficiency in Chinese roses is unreasonable potting soil mix, which leads to a deficiency of trace elements due to the overly simple cultivation substrate. You can refer to the book "How to Grow Chinese Roses from Scratch" for methods on potting soil for Chinese rose containers.
In addition to unreasonable potting soil, poor root systems are also an important cause of nutrient deficiency in Chinese roses. If the roots of the Chinese roses are few and there are many new buds, the nutrients absorbed may not be enough for the growth of the new buds, leading to iron deficiency. This is often seen in unpruned young Chinese roses and aerial layering new Chinese roses.
Another important reason for iron deficiency in Chinese roses in early spring is the influence of temperature. The air temperature in early spring is relatively high, but the temperature of the potting soil is still relatively low, so the new buds of Chinese roses grow vigorously, but the root system is not very active, often unable to absorb enough nutrients, leading to iron deficiency.
How to correct iron deficiency in Chinese roses?
The correction method for iron deficiency in Chinese roses is relatively simple. If it is a mild case of iron deficiency, no treatment is needed. As the temperature rises and the root absorption capacity improves, the leaves can naturally return to green.
If the deficiency is more severe, we need to take timely corrective measures. It is recommended to spray the leaves with chelated iron diluted, focusing on the back of the Chinese rose leaves, as the absorption capacity is stronger there.
Can we use ferrous sulfate to supplement iron? Ferrous sulfate can also be used, but it is recommended to apply it by shallow burial for a longer-lasting effect, slowly supplementing iron for the Chinese roses. Ferrous sulfate is more suitable for preventing iron deficiency or mild iron deficiency. When Chinese roses have severe iron deficiency, chelated iron foliar spray should be used first to quickly supplement, and then ferrous sulfate can be used to assist in correcting yellow leaves. Once the leaves of the Chinese roses return to green, they can perform normal photosynthesis to produce nutrients, and the Chinese roses can grow more vigorously.
The above is the experience and knowledge about why the new leaves of Chinese roses are red. I hope this article can be of some help to you!