How to Care for Oil-Bearing Roses

The healthy development of an oil-bearing Rosa damascena garden does not depend on a single cultivation practice. Pruning, irrigation, plant nutrition, soil cultivation, and weed management must be planned as an integrated system.

For example, a plant supplied with excessive nitrogen and more water than it needs may produce numerous soft, vigorous shoots. Although this may initially appear to be healthy growth, it can negatively affect flowering, air circulation, and overall plant health.

Similarly, cultivating the soil too deeply in an attempt to eliminate weeds may damage rose roots. Severe pruning at the wrong time can also remove shoots that would otherwise produce flowers.

Successful Damask rose care is therefore based on one essential principle:

Healthy oil-bearing rose development depends on maintaining a careful balance among pruning, irrigation, plant nutrition, soil care, and weed management.

What Is the Purpose of Oil-Bearing Rose Care?

The purpose of caring for oil-bearing roses is not simply to produce more flowers. Appropriate cultivation practices are intended to:

• Support healthy root and shoot development
• Preserve branches capable of producing flowers
• Improve air circulation and light penetration
• Promote the balanced use of water and nutrients
• Reduce the risk of pests and diseases
• Make harvesting easier
• Extend the productive life of the rose garden

A particular practice may increase leaf or shoot growth in the short term, but this does not necessarily mean that it supports the long-term health of the garden. Flower yield, plant health, and soil condition should be evaluated together each year.

Rose Academy Note
The belief that “more water and more fertilizer always produce more flowers” is incorrect. Water and nutrients supplied beyond the plant’s requirements may create problems for the roots, shoots, and soil instead of providing additional benefits.

Do Rose Gardens of All Ages Require the Same Care?

No. The age and developmental stage of the garden directly influence its management plan.

Newly established gardens

During the first few years, the primary objective is to help the plants develop strong root and branch systems.

During this period:

• Weed competition should be carefully controlled.
• Soil moisture should be monitored closely.
• Plants that have failed to establish should be identified.
• Severe pruning should be avoided.
• Signs of pests and diseases should be monitored regularly.

Productive, mature gardens

Once a garden reaches its economically productive stage, management should focus on:

• Preserving shoots capable of producing flowers
• Facilitating harvesting
• Maintaining balanced water and nutrient availability
• Removing dry, damaged, or unproductive branches
• Protecting the physical structure of the soil

Ageing gardens

In older rose gardens:

• Woody and unproductive branches may increase.
• New shoot formation may decline.
• Potential habitats for pests and disease-causing organisms may become more common.
• Flower yield may decrease.

Rejuvenation pruning or gradual garden renewal may be considered under these conditions. However, the decision should not be based on the age of the garden alone.

Why Are Oil-Bearing Roses Pruned?

Pruning is the controlled removal of selected branches or shoots. In oil-bearing rose gardens, pruning may be carried out to:

• Remove dry or damaged branches
• Encourage the formation of new shoots
• Manage plant height and shape
• Make flower harvesting easier
• Provide space for work between rows
• Improve air circulation and light penetration

However, not every cut benefits the plant. Removing the wrong branch at the wrong time may result in the loss of flower-producing buds.

The Three Principal Types of Oil-Bearing Rose Pruning

Hasan Baydar identifies three principal pruning practices used in oil-bearing rose gardens:

1. Sanitation pruning
2. Traditional top pruning
3. Rejuvenation pruning

Sanitation Pruning

Sanitation pruning involves removing branches that are dry, broken, severely damaged, or showing signs of disease.

It may be performed whenever necessary during the year. Its purpose is not to reduce healthy growth but to eliminate plant material that no longer benefits the plant or may present a phytosanitary risk.

During sanitation pruning:

• Dry branches should be removed from their base.
• Broken branches should be removed with a clean cut.
• Branches suspected of carrying disease should be kept separate.
• Pruned material should not be left between the rows.
• Pruning tools should be cleaned regularly.

Leaving diseased branches in the garden may provide shelter or inoculum for certain pests and pathogens.

Cleaning pruning tools

Pruning shears can transfer pathogens from one plant to another. Tools should therefore be:

• Clean
• Sharp
• In good working condition

Disinfection methods and products must comply with current agricultural and occupational-safety requirements. Unverified chemicals or randomly prepared, highly concentrated solutions should not be used.

Traditional Top Pruning

Traditional top pruning—known locally in Isparta as çırpma budaması—is used to manage the upper portions of oil-bearing rose plants at a selected height.

Baydar reports that, in traditional practice, approximately five to eight buds may be retained on annual shoots and the upper framework of the plant may be formed approximately 60–80 centimetres above ground level.

These measurements should not be treated as mandatory rules for every garden. Plant age, vigour, elevation, the previous season’s growth, and current weather conditions must all be considered.

Objectives of traditional top pruning

• Regulating plant height
• Making flower harvesting easier
• Creating space for work between rows
• Balancing irregular or excessively long shoots
• Encouraging the development of new growth

Why does pruning time matter?

New shoots produced after excessively early top pruning may be damaged by late spring frosts.

If pruning is performed too late:

• Less time may remain for new shoots to develop.
• Flower-bud formation may be affected.
• Flowering and harvesting patterns may change.

A study conducted on five-year-old oil-bearing roses in Isparta demonstrated that top-pruning time can influence fresh flower yield, essential-oil content, and rose-oil composition. These findings show that pruning should not be treated as a fixed operation performed on the same calendar date regardless of environmental conditions (Erbaş et al., 2022).

Observe the Garden
Pruning should not automatically be performed on the same date every year. Bud development, elevation, weather forecasts, and the risk of frost should be evaluated together.

Rejuvenation Pruning

Rejuvenation pruning involves removing ageing, woody, and less productive branches at their base or near ground level to stimulate the development of new shoots.

Baydar states that oil-bearing rose gardens may begin to show signs of ageing and declining productivity at approximately ten years of age. However, this does not mean that every garden must be renewed at exactly the same age.

Before deciding on rejuvenation, growers should assess:

• The plant’s ability to produce new basal shoots
• Historical flower-yield records
• The density of woody branches
• Pest and disease status
• Plant losses
• Row structure
• The garden’s overall economic condition

Rejuvenation may be performed:

• Across the entire garden at one time
• In selected rows
• Gradually over several years

The most appropriate method depends on the condition of the garden. Severe rejuvenation pruning requires expert planning because of its potential effects on crop yield and plant health.

When Should Pruning Be Performed?

Timing varies according to the type of pruning:

• Sanitation pruning may be performed whenever necessary.
• Traditional top pruning is generally planned before vigorous spring growth begins.
• Rejuvenation pruning may be considered after leaf fall or once the harvest season has ended.

Using heavy machinery when the soil is very wet can cause compaction. Cuts made during rainy conditions may also increase the risk of spreading or encouraging certain pathogens. Weather and soil conditions must therefore be considered.

How Should Pruning Residues Be Managed?

Not all pruning residues should be handled in the same way.

Healthy pruning residues

Under suitable conditions, healthy material may be:

• Shredded
• Composting under controlled conditions
• Reused as an organic resource

Diseased pruning residues

Diseased material should be separated from healthy residues and removed from the garden in accordance with local plant-health, environmental, waste-management, and fire regulations.

Older publications may recommend burning pruning residues. However, open burning may be subject to fire-prevention and air-quality regulations. Local requirements must be verified before any material is burned.

Powered cutting equipment should be operated only by trained individuals wearing appropriate eye protection, gloves, work footwear, and other required personal protective equipment.

When Should Oil-Bearing Roses Be Irrigated?

Oil-bearing roses may be grown under rain-fed conditions in some locations. However, the amount and seasonal distribution of rainfall vary from year to year.

Irrigation decisions should be based on:

• Actual soil moisture
• Recent rainfall
• Air temperature
• Soil texture and structure
• Rooting depth
• Plant age
• Developmental stage
• Garden elevation
• Expected weather conditions

Irrigating according to the calendar alone is not an appropriate management strategy.

Water Requirements of Young and Mature Plants

The roots of newly planted roses occupy a relatively limited area. Young plants may therefore be less able than mature plants to access moisture from deeper soil layers. Soil moisture should be monitored more closely in newly established gardens.

Mature plants can develop broader and deeper root systems, but they may still experience water stress during prolonged periods of drought.

The water status of the soil can also influence the development of new shoots following rejuvenation pruning.

Irrigation According to Developmental Stage

Before flowering

During this stage, the plant develops new shoots and flower buds. Severe water stress may affect:

• Shoot development
• The number of buds
• Flower size

Excessive irrigation, however, may encourage shallow rooting, soft shoot growth, and root diseases.

Flowering and harvesting period

Balanced soil moisture is important for flower development. Excessive irrigation during this period may create:

• Muddy harvesting conditions
• Soil compaction
• Increased moisture around the flowers
• Conditions favourable to disease development

Irrigation schedules should therefore be coordinated with harvesting activities and weather conditions.

After harvest

Following harvest, the plant continues to develop new shoots, leaves, and roots. This period is important because it contributes to the plant structure that will support production in the following year.

Baydar notes that water availability during July, August, and September is particularly important for plant development. This does not mean that every garden should receive the same quantity of water or be irrigated at the same frequency during these months.

Advantages of Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation supplies water at a low flow rate to specific areas. When properly designed and managed, it may:

• Reduce water losses
• Prevent unnecessary wetting between rows
• Deliver water to the active root zone
• Limit weed emergence across the entire field
• Improve irrigation control

If emitters continuously wet the area immediately around the crown, however, excessive moisture may accumulate at the root collar. Irrigation lines should be positioned according to plant age and the location of the active root zone.

Risks Associated with Flood Irrigation

Flood or surface irrigation may distribute water broadly and with limited control. It can contribute to:

• Excessive water loss
• Uneven water distribution
• Erosion
• Soil compaction
• Oxygen deficiency in the root zone

Slope and soil characteristics may increase these risks.

Signs of Overwatering and Underwatering

Leaves may wilt both when water is insufficient and when overwatering deprives the roots of oxygen. Decisions based only on leaf appearance can therefore be misleading.

Possible signs of insufficient water

• Dry soil within the root zone
• Slower shoot growth
• Loss of leaf vitality
• Smaller flowers

Possible signs of excessive irrigation

• Soil that remains wet for extended periods
• Unpleasant odours in the root zone
• Yellowing leaves
• Development of root diseases

Before making an irrigation decision, moisture should be examined at rooting depth rather than only at the soil surface.

Irrigation water should also be analysed for salinity and other relevant quality parameters.

Why Is Fertilization Necessary?

Plants absorb essential nutrients from the soil as they grow. When flowers are removed from the garden each year, some nutrients are also removed from the production system.

Fertilization, however, is not simply the act of adding a product to the soil. Its purpose is to supply nutrients that are deficient, in quantities and at times appropriate to the plant’s requirements.

Essential Plant Nutrients

Nitrogen

Nitrogen contributes to the formation of:

• Leaves
• Shoots
• Proteins
• Chlorophyll

Deficiency may slow plant growth. Excessive nitrogen, however, may result in:

• Numerous soft shoots
• Vegetative or “blind” growth that does not produce flowers
• Tissues that are more susceptible to pests and diseases
• Delayed maturation

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is involved in:

• Energy transfer
• Root development
• Flowering
• Cellular processes

Its presence in the soil does not necessarily mean that the plant can absorb all of it. Soil pH and calcium carbonate levels, in particular, may influence phosphorus availability.

Potassium

Potassium contributes to:

• Regulation of the plant’s water balance
• Cellular functions
• Plant responses to environmental stress

Deficiency or excess should be evaluated in relation to the overall balance of other nutrients.

Secondary nutrients and micronutrients

Calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, zinc, manganese, boron, and other elements may be required in smaller quantities. The term “micronutrient” does not mean that these elements are unimportant.

What Should a Fertilization Plan Be Based On?

A fertilization program should consider:

• Soil-analysis results
• Leaf analysis, when required
• Garden age
• Flower yields from previous years
• Shoot development
• Irrigation practices
• Soil organic-matter content
• Soil pH and calcium carbonate levels

Baydar’s work describes certain regional fertilizer practices and quantities used in Türkiye’s Lakes Region. However, these practices should not be considered current universal recommendations. Applying the same quantities without knowing the existing nutrient status of the soil can result in insufficient or excessive fertilization.

Rose Academy Note
The presence of a nutrient in the soil does not necessarily mean that it is readily available to the plant. Soil pH, calcium carbonate, moisture, and interactions among nutrients can all affect availability.

Nutrition in Calcareous and Alkaline Soils

Some rose-growing soils in Isparta may be calcareous and alkaline. Under these conditions, nutrients such as iron, zinc, and phosphorus may become less available to plants.

Changing soil pH is a sensitive process. Sulphur, acids, or other soil amendments should not be applied without analysis and professional planning. Incorrect quantities may:

• Damage roots
• Cause nutrient imbalances
• Adversely affect soil organisms

Where Should Fertilizer Be Applied?

Fertilizer should not be piled directly against the trunk or root collar. Contact with concentrated fertilizer may lead to:

• Salt injury
• Burning of root or stem tissues
• Root-collar problems

The application area should be selected according to the active root zone and irrigation system. Fertilization and irrigation must be planned together because plants absorb most nutrients through the soil solution.

The Importance of Organic Matter

Organic matter may:

• Improve soil structure
• Contribute to a better balance between water retention and drainage
• Support soil organisms
• Help retain nutrients

Well-aged manure or high-quality compost may be used following appropriate analysis and planning.

Risks associated with fresh manure

Insufficiently matured animal manure may present risks associated with:

• High salinity
• Root burn
• Weed seeds
• Pathogens
• Unbalanced nutrient release

A material being “organic” does not automatically make it safe or suitable for use in unlimited quantities.

Can Spent Rose Biomass Be Applied to the Soil?

The rose biomass remaining after distillation contains organic matter and certain plant nutrients. When properly composted, it may contribute to soil organic-matter management.

Applying large quantities of fresh rose residues directly to the soil, however, may lead to:

• Fermentation
• Oxygen depletion
• Unpleasant odours
• Temporary nutrient imbalances
• Hygiene problems

The composition, maturity, and application rate of the material must be evaluated. Controlled composting followed by analysis is the safest approach.

Why Is Soil Cultivated?

Soil cultivation may be used to:

• Control weeds
• Break surface crusts
• Improve soil aeration
• Incorporate certain organic materials
• Manage the movement of rainwater and irrigation water

Not every cultivation operation benefits the soil. Excessive or unnecessary cultivation can damage soil structure.

How Deep Should the Soil Be Cultivated?

Baydar recommends that spring cultivation between rows should generally not exceed approximately 20 centimetres in depth to reduce the risk of root damage.

This figure should not be treated as a compulsory depth for every garden, soil type, or piece of equipment. Cultivation should become shallower and more cautious closer to the rose rows, where roots may be nearer the surface.

Deep cultivation may:

• Cut roots
• Create entry points for pathogens
• Reduce the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients

When Should Soil Not Be Cultivated?

Very wet soil

Operating heavy machinery on wet soil may cause:

• Compaction
• Deterioration of soil structure
• Formation of hard layers
• Deep wheel ruts

Extremely dry soil

Cultivating excessively dry soil may create:

• Large clods
• Heavy dust
• Root damage
• High energy consumption

Ideally, soil should be cultivated when it breaks apart easily without becoming muddy.

Risks of Repeated Soil Cultivation

Using the same heavy equipment at the same depth each year can create a compacted layer below the cultivated zone. This layer may restrict:

• Downward root growth
• Water infiltration
• Soil aeration

Soil compaction should be assessed when necessary. Any deep-loosening operation should be professionally planned to prevent damage to rose roots.

On sloping land, cultivation may increase erosion risk. Row orientation, surface cover, and the timing of rainfall should all be considered.

Why Are Weeds Controlled?

Weeds are plants growing where they are not wanted. In an oil-bearing rose garden, weeds may:

• Compete for water, light, and nutrients
• Shade young rose shoots
• Obstruct harvesting and work between rows
• Serve as hosts for certain pests and pathogens

Not every non-crop plant presents the same degree of risk. Management decisions should be based on the weed species, density, growth stage, and age of the rose garden.

Weed Management in Young Gardens

In newly established gardens, rose roots still occupy a limited area. Weed competition may therefore have a greater effect on young plants.

Possible control methods include:

• Hand weeding
• Careful hoeing
• Shallow cultivation

All operations should be performed carefully to avoid damaging young roots and shoots.

Weed Management in Mature Gardens

In mature gardens, several practices may be combined:

• Shallow cultivation between rows
• Mowing
• Hoeing
• Appropriate mulching
• Management of field margins
• Controlled irrigation

Integrated weed management is preferable to relying continuously on a single control method.

What is mulch?

Mulch is an organic or suitable synthetic material used to cover the soil surface. It may:

• Reduce weed emergence
• Help conserve soil moisture
• Reduce surface erosion

However, excessively thick and persistently wet mulch piled around the plant’s crown may increase root-collar moisture and disease risk.

Chemical Weed Control

Baydar’s earlier work includes examples of herbicides used in different countries. Pesticide registrations and permitted uses change over time, however. A product mentioned in an older publication may not currently be registered for use on oil-bearing roses in Türkiye.

For this reason:

If chemical weed control is considered necessary, only products currently registered for use on oil-bearing roses should be applied, strictly according to label instructions and the recommendations of an authorized agricultural engineer.

Current registration information should be verified through the continuously updated Plant Protection Products Database of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Herbicide planning should consider:

• Contact with or drift onto rose shoots
• Wind drift
• Flowering and harvesting periods
• The pre-harvest interval
• Worker re-entry intervals
• Personal protective equipment
• Residue limits and export requirements

If a current registration specifically permitting use on oil-bearing roses cannot be verified, the chemical treatment should not be applied.

Seasonal Care Calendar for Oil-Bearing Roses

This calendar does not provide fixed dates. Timing varies according to elevation, annual weather conditions, and plant development.

Management Practices and Their Possible Consequences

Ten Common Rose-Garden Management Mistakes

1. Pruning on the same date every year without observing plant development
2. Leaving dry or diseased branches in the garden
3. Moving from plant to plant without cleaning pruning tools
4. Applying excessive nitrogen to encourage more shoots
5. Irrigating according to a calendar without examining the soil
6. Positioning drip emitters so that they continuously wet the root collar
7. Cultivating deeply enough to damage roots while attempting to eliminate weeds
8. Taking heavy machinery onto very wet soil
9. Applying immature manure or fresh rose residues without proper control
10. Using a pesticide mentioned in an old publication without verifying its current registration

Why Is Record-Keeping Important?

It is difficult to monitor changes in a rose garden from memory alone. The following information should be recorded during every production year:

• Pruning dates and methods
• Irrigation dates
• Rainfall conditions
• Soil- and leaf-analysis results
• Fertilizers and soil amendments applied
• Organic materials used
• Weed density and control methods
• Pest and disease observations
• Flower yield
• Harvest start and end dates
• Time required for harvested flowers to reach the processing facility

These records help growers identify which practices should be adjusted in the following season.

The Akita Rose Academy Approach

The journey of the Isparta-grown Rosa damascena flowers used by Akita begins in carefully managed rose gardens.

Botanical origin and geography are important, but cultivation conditions are also part of raw-material traceability. Balanced pruning, responsible water management, analysis-based plant nutrition, soil conservation, and well-planned weed control should be evaluated together.

The purpose of Akita Rose Academy is not to declare one production model superior to all others. Its purpose is to explain every stage of the rose’s journey—from the garden to the bottle—through clear, reliable, and responsibly presented information.

What Have We Learned in This Chapter?

In this chapter, we learned that:

• Young and mature rose gardens do not require identical care.
• Sanitation, traditional top, and rejuvenation pruning have different purposes.
• Pruning time can affect flower yield and rose-oil composition.
• Irrigation should be based on soil and plant conditions rather than the calendar alone.
• A fertilizer program should not be prepared without appropriate analysis.
• Excessive nitrogen and water do not necessarily produce more flowers.
• Deep or poorly planned soil cultivation can damage roots.
• Effective weed management should combine more than one method.
• Pesticide recommendations from older publications should not be followed without verifying current registrations.

Continue Your Rose Academy Journey

In the next chapter, explore the principal pests and diseases affecting oil-bearing roses, including rose rust, powdery mildew, aphids, spider mites, and the principles of integrated pest management.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should oil-bearing roses be pruned every year?

Dry and damaged branches may be removed regularly. However, intensive top pruning or rejuvenation pruning should not automatically be performed in the same way in every garden. Plant age, growth, and historical yield records should be evaluated.

2. How frequently should oil-bearing roses be irrigated during summer?

A universal irrigation frequency cannot be provided. Soil moisture, temperature, rainfall, soil characteristics, rooting depth, and plant-development stage must be assessed together.

3. Which fertilizer should be used for oil-bearing roses?

The type and quantity of fertilizer should be determined through soil analysis and, when necessary, leaf analysis. Fertilizer should not be applied solely on the basis of a general recommendation found online.

4. Can spent rose biomass be applied directly to the soil?

Uncontrolled use of fresh rose biomass may cause fermentation and nutrient-balance problems. Controlled composting and assessment before application represent a safer approach.

5. Can herbicides be used in an oil-bearing rose garden?

Only products officially verified as currently registered for oil-bearing roses may be used. Every application must comply with label instructions and the recommendations of an authorized agricultural engineer.

References

Baydar, H. (n.d.). Oil-bearing rose cultivation and industry. Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops.
Note: Because no publication date was provided in the reviewed PDF, “n.d.” is used in accordance with APA guidelines.

Baydar, H., & Kazaz, S. (2010). Organic rose cultivation. Süleyman Demirel University, Rose and Rose Products Research and Application Center.

Baydar, H., & Kazaz, S. (2013). Oil-bearing rose and rose cultivation in Isparta. Gülbirlik Publications.

Erbaş, S., Baydar, H., Kazaz, S., & Örücü, Ö. K. (2022). Effects of top-pruning time on fresh flower yield, rose oil content and compounds in oil-bearing rose (Rosa damascena Mill.). Süleyman Demirel University Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences. Access the article

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. (2026). Plant Protection Products Database. Review current registration information

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute. (2022). Oil-bearing rose cultivation: Rosa damascena Mill.Access the publication