In the Garden： Growing Roses

From VOA Learning English, this is the Agriculture Report.

Most kinds of rose plants come from Asia. But roses are also native to other areas including northwest Africa, Europe and the United States.

In nineteen eighty-six, the U.S. Congress chose the rose as America's national flower. Technically, Congress and President Ronald Reagan declared it the "national floral emblem." Whatever the name, the decision did not smell sweet to lovers of other flowers.

Some people say roses are difficult to grow. But you have a good chance of success if you start with a few suggestions from experts. You should plant your roses where they can get sunshine for about six hours on bright days.

You can buy roses from a garden center or by mail order. You can buy potted roses, also known as container roses, or bare-root plants. Each kind has its fans.

Some gardeners say potted roses are easier to plant. They say the roots develop better. But Jeffrey Dinslage, president of Nature Hills Nursery in Omaha, Nebraska, points out that bare-root roses come without soil. So they weigh less to transport.

The University of Illinois Extension advises getting bare-root roses as close to planting time as you can. If they arrive before you are ready to plant them, make sure the packing material is moist. Keep the plants in a cool, dark place. You plant the roses while they are dormant. The resting plants have no leaves but still need water.

When growing roses, the soil should feel moist deep down. Watering should be done in the morning. That can prevent problems called black spot and mildew.

But do not water too much. Jeffrey Dinslage says people often ask him about unhealthy discoloration on rose leaves. He says the spots are usually caused by too much water. After heavy rains or too much watering, he advises pulling away mulch temporarily from around the roots. This will help dry the soil.

In normal conditions, placing mulch around rose plants is a good idea. Mulch suppresses weeds and holds moisture in the soil. You can use mulch made from bark, pine needles, cottonseed or oak leaves.

If your soil is very dry, you can add peat or compost, which returns nutrients to the soil. If aphids, thrips or other insects invade your rose bushes, you may be able to force them off with just a strong spray of water.

And that's the Agriculture Report. I'm Mario Ritter.

词汇解析

sunshine

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

n.阳光;晴天

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

Dewdrops shine brightly in the sunshine.

露珠在阳光下闪闪发光。

We had twelve hours of sunshine yesterday, as against a forecast of continuous rain.

昨日有十二小时的晴天，预报却说仍有雨。

moist

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

adj.潮湿的;湿润的;[医]湿性的

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

This gave a warm and moist feeling to the picture.

这样让整张画有了些温暖和潮湿的感觉。

spot

难度：5星基本词汇，属常用1000词

英汉解释

n.地点;场所;职位;污点;斑点;少量;聚光灯;插播节目

adj.现场的;现货的;插播的

v.(使)产生污渍;玷污;认出;用灯光照射

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

That was the common spot for settling affairs of honour.

那是他们通常决斗的场所。

I've tried to jazz up the old car with a spot of paint and some accessories.

我设法用少量油漆和一些配件修整这辆旧汽车。

用作形容词 (adj.)

Several television stations gave spot coverage to the conference.

好几家电视台对大会作了现场报导。

用作动词 (v.)

His boots were spotted with mud.

他的靴子上沾有泥渍。

normal

难度：5星基本词汇，属常用1000词

英汉解释

adj.正常的;正规的;精神健全的

n.常态;标准

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

Everything is absolutely normal.

一切完全正常。

用作名词 (n.)

It was several days before the floodwater sank and life returned to normal.

过了几天洪水才退,生活恢复了正常。

moisture

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

n.水分;潮气;湿度

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

The plants absorb moisture from the soil.

植物从土壤中吸取水分。

invade

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

v.侵略;拥入;侵害;侵扰

参考例句

用作动词 (v.)

When did the Romans invade Britain?

古罗马人是何时侵略英国的?

spray

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

v.喷雾;喷射;扫射

n.喷雾;喷雾器;水沫

参考例句

用作动词 (v.)

He sprayed paint on the wall.

他把漆喷在墙上。

用作名词 (n.)

I've lost my throat spray.

我的润喉剂喷筒丢了。