Multi-colored roses are a beautiful and unique type of rose that have become popular decorations and gifts. Getting multi-colored roses requires some specific care and cultivation techniques. The most common methods are to dye white roses, grow multi-colored rose breeds, graft multiple rose varieties onto one plant, or buy multi-colored rose bouquets. With the right approach, you can add multi-hued roses to your garden or give them as gifts.
Dyeing White Roses
One simple way to get multi-colored roses is to dye white roses. This involves submerging white rose heads into colored water to absorb the dye. It’s best to use fresh cut white roses so they can absorb the dye well. Here is the process:
What You Need
– Fresh cut white roses with stems trimmed to 4-6 inches
– Food coloring, liquid watercolors, or clothing dye in your desired colors
– Containers for dye such as glass or ceramic vases
– Water
Instructions
1. Prepare the dye mixtures. Fill containers with a few inches of water and add 20-30 drops of food coloring per cup of water. Mix in other dyes like fabrics dyes or drink mix powders to get more color variations.
2. Cut the stems of white roses to 4-6 inches long and strip the lower leaves. Make a fresh cut at the base of the stems.
3. Submerge each rose into a dye bath, holding just below the flower head. Leave it to soak for 30 minutes up to overnight, until the desired intensity of color is absorbed.
4. Remove the roses and set them aside to dry with the heads facing upwards. Recut the stems and place them in a vase of water.
The color will remain vivid for 1-2 weeks. Re-dye the roses as the color fades to refresh their look. You can get creative with tie-dying techniques too!
Tips
– Not all white roses take dye equally well. Shop around to find white varieties that absorb dye best.
– Use more dye or soak roses longer for deeper, richer colors.
– Mix dye colors to create ombré or multi-toned effects.
– Add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to the water to help set the color.
– Recutting rose stems opens up fresh water channels to extend their life.
Dyeing is a simple DIY way of getting multi-hued roses for special occasions or holiday centerpieces.
Growing Multi-Colored Rose Breeds
Another way to get multi-colored roses is to grow specific rose breeds cultivated to have multi-colored blooms. These combine multiple rose colors on a single stem. Popular multi-colored varieties include:
Paprika Roses
Paprika roses showcase bright red petal edges that fade into creamy orange and finally yellow at the center. They look incredible together in bouquets.
Ombre Roses
Ombre rose petals transition between hues in an ombré effect. Varieties include the Chocolate Dipped Ombre rose fading from dark red to yellow tips.
Yellow Blend Roses
These roses blend buttery yellow outer petals with warm peachy-orange inner petals for a tropical look. Lemon Fizz is a popular yellow blend.
Bi-Color Roses
Bi-color roses have distinct color divisions, like half red and half white blooms. Varieties include Candy Stripe, Colorific, and Vegas roses.
Rainbow Roses
Rainbow roses combine 4-5 colors swirled together on each rose, displaying almost a tie-dye watercolor effect when fully open.
How to Grow Them
Follow these tips for successfully growing multi-colored rose varieties:
– Plant in full sun (6+ hours per day) in well-draining soil.
– Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
– Water 1-2 times per week, avoiding wet leaves that can cause disease.
– Prune lightly for shape; remove deadheads to encourage more blooms.
– Protect from harsh winter weather if growing in cold climates.
With proper care, multi-colored rose breeds will reward you with their dazzling, unique blooms year after year. Order bareroot or potted plants from specialty rose nurseries to add them to your garden.
Grafting Multi-Colored Roses
Grafting allows joining multiple rose varieties onto a single plant to produce multi-colored blooms from one stem. This advanced technique requires:
– A rootstock rose plant, usually a hardy type like Rosa multiflora. This forms the roots and base stems.
– Scion wood of rose varieties to graft – these will form the top stems and blooms.
– Grafting supplies like cutting tools, tape, and sealant compound.
Here is an overview of the grafting process:
1. Prepare the rootstock plant by cutting stems to 6-12 inch lengths. Make angled slice cuts at the top.
2. Take 6-8 inch scion wood cuttings from desired rose varieties, making matching angled cuts.
3. Join scion cuts to rootstock cuts so the cambium layers align. Wrap graft joints tightly with grafting tape or rubber ties.
4. Seal the joint with grafting compound and plant the joined rootstock. As it grows, the different scion varieties will emerge and bloom.
Successfully grafted plants can display multi-colored rose blooms of different forms, heights, and flowering seasons on one aesthetically pleasing plant.
Buying Multi-Colored Rose Bouquets
The easiest way to enjoy multi-colored roses is to buy pre-made bouquets and arrangements. Many major florists and supermarkets now carry rainbow rose bunches and mixed rose varieties to create stunning, layered looks.
Here are some tips for buying multi-colored rose bouquets:
– Look for roses with 2-4 open blooms and tightly furled buds that will continue opening over time.
– Inspect roses for damage – avoid bouquets with bruised, discolored, or wilting flowers.
– Opt for roses with long, straight stems for best arranging and vase life.
– Choose mixed bouquets with roses in different heights, colors, and forms for full, lush displays.
– Buy roses packaged in water tubes or sleeves to protect them in transit. Quickly get them home and into fresh water.
– For gifts, choose bouquet wrap colors and styles to complement the colorful roses.
Pre-made multi-colored rose bouquets provide instant enjoyment and beautiful presentation with minimal effort. They make fantastic gifts, arrangements for special events, or everyday décor.
Caring for Multi-Colored Roses
To enjoy multi-colored roses as long as possible, follow these care tips:
Cut Stems and Change Water
Recut rose stems by 1-2 inches every 2-3 days and replace the water. Use clean, room temperature water to maximize water uptake.
Use Floral Preservatives
Add packet rose food, lime soda, aspirin, or bleach to the water to inhibit bacterial growth and extend vase life 2-3 times longer.
Keep Cool
Display roses out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like air vents that can cause faster wilting.
Humidify
Boost humidity around roses by misting them or placing the vase on a wet pebble tray. Higher humidity reduces evaporation from petals.
Enjoy Fragrance and Beauty
Place roses where you can appreciate their lovely colors and scent. Turn or gently rotate the vase to encourage all sides to open fully.
With the right care, you can enjoy the unique beauty of multi-colored roses for over a week or more!
Fun Uses for Multi-Colored Roses
Beyond arrangements and bouquets, multi-hued roses can be used creatively for:
Rose Petal Confetti
Dry and crush rose petals to sprinkle as natural confetti over tables, floors, or ceremonial spaces. Rainbow roses create especially colorful confetti.
Floating Candles
Float candle votives or tealights in low glass bowls filled with water and scattered rose petals for a beautiful table centerpiece. Try alternating colors.
Rose Ice Cubes
Freeze rose petals in ice cube trays with water to add floral color to beverages. They also make fun cold pack alternatives.
Potpourri
Dried rose petals retain their colors, making them ideal mixed into potpourri. Add complementary dried botanicals like lavender and citrus peels.
Rose Water
Steep rose petals in water overnight then strain and use the fragrant water for baking, perfumes, food flavoring, and skin/hair care.
Let your creativity run wild when using multi-hued roses for crafts, decorating, and aromatherapy!
Conclusion
With many possible techniques, getting beautiful multi-colored roses is very achievable:
– Dye white roses at home using food coloring or other natural dyes.
– Grow special multi-colored rose breeds suited to your climate.
– Graft different rose varieties onto one plant for mixed blooms.
– Buy ready-made multi-color bouquets from florists and shops.
Caring properly for the roses and using them creatively will let you enjoy their colorful beauty for as long as possible. Multi-hued roses make unique, eye-catching additions to gardens, centerpieces, and gifts.