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The rose is rightfully considered the queen of the garden. Rose bushes become the main component of landscape design, giving the rest of the composition chic and grace. Among all types of roses, the Sophie Loren hybrid tea variety stands out. The variety is grown both as a decoration for a plot and for cutting. Cut flowers retain the outer shape of the buds for a long time.
Rosa Sophia Loren is a hybrid variety of the Rosaceae family. This variety belongs to the hybrid tea type, characterized by repeated flowering. The intense bright red color of the buds attracts attention from afar.
The history of the creation of the variety
In 1967, a separate hybrid rose variety was bred in Germany by breeder Mathias Tantau. This variety is distinguished by its magnificent appearance, therefore it quickly spread throughout Europe and in Russia. The name of the variety was given in honor of the famous film actress Sophia Loren - Hybrid Sofi Loren rose.
Rose Sophia Loren
Variety characteristics
The buds of the hybrid tea rose Sophia have a pronounced rounded-pointed shape. The petals are velvety, deep red. The average size of flowers at full bloom varies between 10.5-12.5 cm in diameter. The description of the graceful appearance is achieved by a large number of delicate velvety petals. Flowers have a fairly strong, but unobtrusive aroma.
The hybrid is distinguished by abundant flowering, repeating several times in one season. The bushes can reach 1.2-1.5 meters in height, the stems are located vertically upward. The stems themselves are strong, straight and firm. On the bushes, both single flowers and inflorescences can form.
The leathery leaves are ovoid. Dense leaves have a rich green color, shimmering gloss. Thorns are rarely located along the stem, they are large in size.
Like many rose varieties, Sophia Loren is susceptible to pest attacks. These can be insects, viral and fungal infections. The main period of illness is summer. As a preventive measure against rot, you should choose places with good ventilation, observing a competent irrigation regime. Spider mite infestations can be treated by spraying the leaves with natural rosemary oil.
To prevent the development of powdery mildew, you should:
- prune stems and buds regularly;
- treat the plant with a soapy solution of copper sulfate;
- after the snow melts, treat with 3% Bordeaux mixture;
- regularly loosen and mulch the soil;
- after the leaves have fallen, collect them and dispose of by burning.
Pruning roses
Features of agricultural technology
Rose bushes can be cultivated both in greenhouse conditions and in the open field. The optimal dimensions of the planting pit for a seedling are 50 * 50 * 50 cm. Such dimensions allow you to freely place the root system, allowing the roots to spread out in the soil.
The periods for planting Sophia Loren's roses are spring and autumn. In spring, special attention should be paid to preparation, since the bushes are not particularly strong after storage in winter.
It is preferable to stop at the autumn planting, since during the season the Sofia rose has the opportunity to take root and, after the snow melts, will grow at the same pace as the older bushes.
The basis for an abundant flowering is the selection of a suitable planting site. The best choice is a slight south-facing slope.Such a place allows you to get maximum lighting and warmth.
An elevated location will eliminate the influence of groundwater on the root system of the plant. Root dampness can be prevented by choosing a soil with a thick drainage layer. After digging the planting hole, river sand and fertilizers must be added to it.
Organic matter and peat prepared in advance should be used as fertilizers. After filling the hole, you need to leave it for 1-2 weeks to shrink. This will prevent the bush from falling through after planting.
There are 2 ways of planting young plants: dry and wet. The choice of method depends on the initial moisture content of the soil layer.
The dry method is the traditional digging of a hole and filling the seedling with prepared soil.
The wet method involves filling the pit with soil moistened to the state of porridge. Thanks to this, the root system quickly adapts to new conditions.
During planting, a mound should be formed at the bottom of the pit, due to which the root system expands. When filling the seedling, the grafting site should be established strictly below the ground surface. This arrangement will protect the seedling from freezing in the winter and prevent the formation of wild shoots in the summer.
After planting, be sure to water the trunk circle abundantly. It is recommended to carry out hilling and mulching with compost to better preserve soil moisture. 14 days after planting, the tilled soil should be removed. Otherwise, adventitious roots from the shoots will begin to form, weakening the entire bush.
If the seedling being planted has not been pruned, pruning should be carried out after planting. This is necessary to stimulate the growth of shoots at the base of the bush. During the first month, the use of growth stimulants has a beneficial effect on development.
Planting a rose
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The indisputable advantages of the variety include:
- high winter hardiness;
- disease resistance - black spot;
- the ability to withstand prolonged waterlogging;
- high decorative properties;
- long flowering period.
The disadvantages include high demands on the place of growth and the need for regular pruning of shoots.
Summing up, we can say that the hybrid rose variety Sophia Loren is highly valued by gardeners for its large bright red flowers with a bright aroma. However, to get a beautiful bush, you must strictly follow the prescribed care standards.
