Crop details

Roses (cut flower)

Rosa hybrida (hybrid tea/spray types)

Family: Rosaceae

Quick stats

Family	Rosaceae
Typical harvest	12.0 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	9
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	perennial
Days to harvest	365
Main uses	Cut flowers for export and local markets; buds and blooms for bouquets, decoration and essential oils in some systems.
Pollination	insect
Origin / where it grows	Grown in temperate and tropical highland regions, often under greenhouse or plastic tunnels with controlled irrigation and fertigation.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	15–26 °C
Rainfall	800–1200 mm/yr
Altitude	1200–2600 m
Best pH	6–6.5
Soil type	Deep, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter; salt-free irrigation water is important for export-quality roses.
Row spacing	60 cm
Plant spacing	20 cm
Planting depth	3 cm
Seed rate	kg/ha (check local recommendation)
Nursery days	60

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is perennial, which means once you plant it, the same plant can keep producing for many years. You can normally start harvesting about 365 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for cut flowers for export and local markets; buds and blooms for bouquets, decoration and essential oils in some systems..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Grown in temperate and tropical highland regions, often under greenhouse or plastic tunnels with controlled irrigation and fertigation. It is grouped under: Oil & Industrial.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 15 and 26 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 800 to 1200 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2600 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 6.5. It does well in deep, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter; salt-free irrigation water is important for export-quality roses.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 60 centimetres apart, and leave about 20 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 3 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use good quality seed or healthy planting material. Follow local extension advice for the exact amount per hectare.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 60 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Plant healthy, virus-indexed rose plants (grafted or rooted cuttings) on raised, well-drained beds. Orient rows to maximise light and allow air movement. Water in thoroughly after planting and mulch if open-field.

Transplanting: Handle graft unions/crowns gently, avoid planting too deep. For grafted plants, keep the graft just above soil level and firm soil around roots to eliminate air pockets.

Irrigation: Provide regular, even moisture. Avoid overhead irrigation late in the day to reduce foliar diseases; use drip or micro-sprinklers where possible. Do not allow beds to become soggy.

Fertigation: Under drip, split nutrients into small weekly or even daily doses. Use more N early for vegetative growth, then increase K and Ca/Mg for stem strength, bloom quality and vase life.

Pest scouting: Scout frequently for aphids, thrips, spider mites, whiteflies and caterpillars on buds and foliage. Check for powdery mildew, downy mildew, black spot and botrytis on leaves and flowers.

Pruning: Train plants into strong basal shoots and productive flowering stems. Regularly disbud where needed for long-stem cut flowers, remove blind shoots and prune after flushes to maintain vigour.

Harvest: Harvest in early morning when buds are firm and at the correct stage for the market (tight bud to half-open). Cut with sharp secateurs, leaving enough leaves on the plant to support new shoots.

Postharvest: Immediately place stems in clean water or preservative solution in a cool, shaded place. Pre-cool quickly, grade by stem length and quality, sleeve and pack into cartons for cold-chain transport.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	NPK 17-17-17 + well-rotted compost	200 kg/ha (plus 8–10 t/ha compost)	N: 34, P₂O₅: 34, K₂O: 34	Broadcast and incorporate into raised beds before planting plants; avoid direct fertilizer contact with roots.
2	Early growth topdress	45	CAN 26% N	120 kg/ha	N: 31, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply along rows on moist soil and lightly incorporate or irrigate in; helps build strong shoots.
3	Production K boost	90	Sulfate of potash (SOP)	100 kg/ha	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 50	Supports stem strength, colour and postharvest performance; avoid chloride-rich MOP for sensitive varieties.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	60	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	50	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	80	kg/ha
N	Early_growth	50	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Early_growth	10	kg/ha
K₂O	Early_growth	50	kg/ha
N	Production_flush	40	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Production_flush	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Production_flush	70	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Red hybrid tea selection (export type)	KE	365	Long stems, high bud count and good vase life for export markets.
Spray rose (mixed colours) selection	TZ	365	Multiple small flowers per stem, suited for bouquet fillers and local markets.
Garden rose / scented type	UG	365	Strong fragrance and decorative form for niche and local florists.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17 + compost	200	Incorporate into bed before planting; combine with well-rotted manure/compost for structure and biology.
Vegetative/early production	CAN 26% N	120	Apply in 1–2 splits in the first 2–3 months after planting, depending on growth and soil tests.
Flowering and stem quality	Sulfate of potash (SOP)	100	Apply during main flowering flushes or through fertigation to strengthen stems and improve flower quality.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Aphids	pest	Clusters on young shoots and buds, honeydew and sooty mould, distorted leaves and flower buds.	Encourage natural enemies, avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum sprays, and use targeted controls or biocontrols as needed.
Thrips	pest	Brown streaking, flecking and distortion on petals and buds; reduced quality of export stems.	Use blue/yellow sticky traps, good hygiene, weed control, netting on vents and targeted IPM measures.
Spider mites	pest	Fine webbing, speckled and bronzed leaves, premature leaf drop and reduced plant vigour.	Avoid water stress, maintain good humidity balance and introduce predatory mites where possible.
Whiteflies	pest	Small white insects flying up when plants are disturbed, honeydew and sooty mould on lower leaves.	Sticky traps, insect-proofing of greenhouses and IPM-based controls where thresholds are exceeded.
False codling moth (on buds in some regions)	pest	Larvae boring into buds, webbing and internal damage, rejection at export due to quarantine significance.	Field sanitation, pheromone traps, careful bud inspection and strict adherence to export IPM protocols.
Powdery mildew	disease	White powdery growth on leaves and young shoots, leaf curl and reduced flower quality.	Maintain airflow, avoid excessive humidity and lush, shaded growth, and apply protectant measures as needed.
Downy mildew / leaf blights	disease	Purple-brown leaf lesions, leaf drop and dieback, especially under cool, humid conditions.	Good ventilation, avoid prolonged leaf wetness, and maintain sanitation of fallen leaves.
Botrytis (grey mould) on flowers	disease	Brown petal spotting, mouldy blooms, postharvest decay in cold store or transit.	Harvest dry flowers, avoid overhead wetting, cool quickly and maintain good hygiene in grading/packing sheds.
Black spot	disease	Black spots with yellow halos on leaves, defoliation and weakened plants in humid climates.	Use tolerant varieties, improve canopy airflow and remove infected leaves from the crop and floor.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Open-field / low-input cut roses	6	4	8	Represents modest stem production; actual performance often tracked as stems/ha (e.g. 150–250k stems/ha).
Greenhouse/plastic house managed	12	8	16	Well-managed fertigation and pest control; roughly 250–400k marketable stems/ha/year depending on variety and system.
Intensive export floriculture (high-tech)	18	12	24	High plant densities, controlled environment and strict quality control; often >400k stems/ha/year.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	High-altitude floriculture belts (e.g. around major lakes and highland plateaus)	Greenhouse roses can be planted almost year-round where irrigation is available; many growers align planting with cooler periods for establishment.	Harvestable stems usually start 4–6 months after planting, with regular picking throughout the year under managed conditions.
TZ	Northern and southern highlands suitable for floriculture	Plant in cooler parts of the year with reliable irrigation, or at onset of reliable rains for open-field systems.	Cut flowers produced throughout the year with peaks in cooler, bright months and around major demand seasons.
UG	Cooler highland and mid-altitude zones with floriculture potential	Establish new beds with the start of reliable rains or under irrigation when temperatures are moderate.	Continuous harvesting once plants are established, with best quality in moderately cool, bright periods.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Highland floriculture zones with cool nights, abundant light and irrigation	High
TZ	Northern and southern highlands and selected irrigated mid-altitude valleys	High
UG	Highland and mid-altitude regions suited to cool-climate floriculture with good water supply	High