Following the nursery’ s recommendation, Ivy initially used a growing medium formulated for tropical climate, mixing in akadama soil and coconut peat The idea was that with this blend, there would be no need to change the soil in the future.
However, real experience revealed a different story. The mix was simply not suitable for Singapore’s climate. All the plants eventually withered-except for one lone survivor, Kong Meng rose plant.
Realizing the issue, I decided to create my own custom soil mix tailored to the local environment. Fortunately, the nursery later released an improved version, already adapted for Singapore’s conditions-making it convenient to simply bring it home and start planting.
To grow healthy plants, one must first care for the roots.
To have strong roots, you must care for the soil.
And to care for the soil, you need to understand what you’re feeding it.
This insight came from a friend, and it helped Ivy truly appreciate the critical role that soil plays’ second only to the root system itself.
That led to an important question: Did I truly understand the growing medium I was using for my roses?
Another gardener once said: the way you water your plants depends on the soil composition and the surrounding environment. During dry spells, rainy days, or fluctuating weather, the watering routine must adapt accordingly. A plant with lush foliage needs different care than one with sparse leaves; a healthy plant requires different handling than one that is struggling.
In short, there is no one-size-fits-all guideline. Rose gardening is an ongoing learning journey that demands knowledge, observation, and continuous adaptation. Only by growing and experiencing firsthand can we truly improve.