Moss Rose Rosa 'Nuits de Young' (CeMo)

Water

Moss Rose, commonly known as Rosa 'Nuits de Young', should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage strong root growth. During active growing seasons, typically spring and summer, water once a week with about one to one and half gallons of water. In hot and dry weather, increase the frequency to twice a week to maintain moisture. During the fall and winter, reduce watering to every two weeks unless there is sufficient rainfall. Always check the soil before watering; it should be dry to the touch at a depth of about two inches.

Light

Moss Rose thrives in full sun, where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. It's best to place it in an area that's sunny from the morning through the afternoon as the intensity of morning light is beneficial. Avoid heavily shaded areas, which can lead to poor bloom production and increased susceptibility to diseases.

Temperature

Rosa 'Nuits de Young' can endure a broad range of temperatures, but it flourishes when the temperature remains between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme cold below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the plant, while temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit can cause stress. The ideal temperature range encourages healthy growth and abundant flowering.

Pruning

Pruning Moss Rose is vital for maintaining vigor, encouraging blooms, and preventing diseases. Prune in early spring by removing dead or damaged wood, and shape the plant by cutting back about one-third of the previous year's growth. Also remove weak or spindly branches to promote good air circulation. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, should be done regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Moss rose prefers a soil mix with good drainage, consisting of two parts loam, one part peat moss, and one part sharp sand or perlite. The ideal soil pH for moss rose is slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.0.

Repotting

Moss rose, also known as rose moss, generally does not require frequent repotting and can be done every 2 to 3 years, or when the plant has outgrown its current container.

Humidity & Misting

Moss rose thrives in average humidity conditions and does not require any special humidity adjustments for healthy growth.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, well-draining soil, and infrequent water.

• Outdoor

  Place in full sun, well-drained soil, water sparingly.

• Hardiness zone

  5-11 USDA

Life cycle

The Rosa 'Nuits de Young', also known as Moss Rose, begins its life cycle as a dormant bare-root plant or potted nursery specimen when planted in well-draining soil, ideally in spring after the threat of frost has passed. The first stage is germination, where the plant’s roots take hold and the shoots emerge, soon followed by the development of compound leaves. As the Moss Rose matures, it enters the vegetative stage, growing stems and leaves and establishing a robust root system, a process which typically thrives with ample sunlight and regular watering. The next stage is flowering, which occurs in late spring to early summer for this cultivar, where it produces aromatic, deep purple to nearly black blooms with characteristic mossy sepals at the base of the petals. The flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male stamens and a female pistil, leading to the pollination stage, often facilitated by insects, which results in the production of rose hips that contain seeds. Finally, as winter approaches, the Moss Rose enters dormancy, where growth slows and the plant conserves energy, completing the annual cycle and ready to begin again come spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The Rosa 'Nuits de Young', commonly known as moss rose, can be propagated through various methods, but the most popular method is by cuttings. This is typically done in late winter or early spring, before the bush begins its active growth. To propagate through cuttings, one should select a healthy, pencil-thick, non-flowering stem from the current or previous year's growth. Cut a section approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) long, making sure the cut is angled and just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting to prevent decay and plant the stem cutting in a mixture of equal parts peat and coarse sand or perlite, ensuring at least two nodes are buried where roots and possibly new shoots will form. The cutting should be kept in a well-lit area but out of direct sunlight and maintained in high humidity with a plastic cover until roots have developed, which typically takes several weeks.