Planting, holding and harvesting damask rose
compatibility:
damask rose is well adapted to environmental conditions. One of the most characteristic traits of damask rose (especially damask rose in Kashan) is its survival and adaptation to drought. In some areas of Kashan, damask rose is irrigated only once or twice a year. Due to the low rainfall in the region (about 150 to 200 mm), which also occurs mainly in winter, it can be concluded that this plant shows good resistance to drought, although there is a decrease in economic performance. Be.
In addition, damask rose is well adapted to adverse environmental conditions such as salinity, cold and soil nutrient deficiency. However, the response of this plant to soil fertility, regular irrigation and fertilization is very positive, so that in some areas, yields of 5 to 7 tons per hectare have been reported.
Basic needs:
Water:
Water is one of the effective factors in economic production of flowers. Damask rose shrubs are very resistant to dehydration. Evidence shows that irrigation of flowerbeds is very important at the time of budding and flowering. In Kashan Golestan, irrigation is usually done superficially. In this region, the amount of water in each turn and the number of irrigations is very variable. In Kashan region, normally, irrigation is done every 15 days during the growing season. In a comparison between surface and drip irrigation methods, it was found that; Drip irrigation, while saving 62% more than the surface method, increases flower yield by 65%.
Properly distributed rainfall is important for the production of more flowers and essential oils, especially in spring and early summer, due to the lack of stress on the plant.
Soil:
In terms of soil type, planting this plant has been successful in heavy soils with medium texture and in foothills with many pebbles, rocky and poor.
The flowerbeds in the northern heights and slopes, in general, produce a better product in terms of quantity and quality. In mountainous areas where the possibility of growing many crops is limited, this plant can be considered as a strategic and economic plant.
Temperature:
In spring, flower-producing stems emerge from the lateral buds of annual branches. The temperature difference of 3-4 degrees Celsius at night compared to the day is very important for flower bud formation and for dormancy, hibernation is necessary.
A temperature of about 15-20 degrees Celsius is required for budding. High temperatures and hot and dry winds cause the flowers to ripen and open prematurely, reducing the flowering period and reducing the composition of the flower essential oils.
A temperature of 5-15 degrees Celsius guarantees the number of flowers with good essential oils.
Very low temperatures at night prevent flowering and temperatures above 20 ° C increase the synthesis and production of essential oils.
At stages of growth, damask rose shrubs are sensitive to frost, so frost can cause damage during flower bud formation or early growth. Mostly mature parts of the plant are resistant to cold and frost. In areas with severe winters and frost, pruning should be done very early. Shrubs that are damaged by severe winter cold or late spring frosts rarely produce enough flowers that year.
Humidity and wind:
70% relative humidity helps to form the essential oil.
Rainfall during budding causes damage to the flower and reduces the essential oil content.
Long periods of sunshine stimulate flowering, but the presence of hot, dry periods during flowering rapidly reduces the essential oil content.
Strong winds physically damage the flower and cold, dry and hot winds reduce the flower’s essential oil.
Nutritional needs (fertilizer):
damask rose needs food and a long diet. Leaf analysis is a recommended method that determines the amount of nutrients available.
Research based on leaf analysis has shown that there is a reduction in elements and the need for elements such as 25% K = 67% P = and 35% N = between the developmental stage of bud and main flowering. Accordingly, 64 kg of nitrogen, 7.8 kg of phosphorus and 36 kg of potassium per hectare are recommended approximately, taking into account the composition of soil salts.
the light:
Shade does not have a good effect on flowering, but shade is essential in areas where there is strong direct sunlight. In areas where plants are exposed to direct sunlight, the yield of flower essential oil is about half that of plants grown in shady conditions.
Height:
The flowerbeds in the northern heights and slopes, in general, produce a better product in terms of quantity and quality. In the tropics, damask rose cultivation has only been successful at higher altitudes.
This plant grows well at an altitude of 1600 meters in Isfahan and up to altitudes of more than 2300 meters. Its mass production areas are mainly located at altitudes above 1900 meters. The essential oils of flowers are of higher quality at higher altitudes.
Land preparation:
One of the most important pre-planting operations is deep plowing. Plowing breaks down the compact layers that restrict root growth. Planting is done manually and the spacing of rows and plants depends on the purpose of planting. If the goal is to build a hedge around the garden, the distance between the rows is 2.5-2 meters and the distance between the plants is 1-1.5 meters. If the goal is the construction of Golestan, in Cretan cultivation, the distances are considered 2.5 3.5 meters and in the atmosphere and ridge are 2 meters.
Consumption of completely rotten manure is necessary before the construction of Golestan and as a replacement in the pit in the amount of 10-20 tons per hectare. It is also useful to give 10 tons of manure per hectare after pruning the flowers.
increase:
damask rose can be done in different ways, including; Propagation, grafting, cuttings and propagation by cuttings. In our country, two methods of cutting and using cuttings are common. Each damask rose mother plant produces an average of 20 to 60 cuttings. These stems grow rapidly. The highest number of thorns is observed on young shoots. From the third and fourth year onwards, stalks can be prepared from any plant. From November to early March, the cuttings are transferred to the desired location and planted. The cuttings are planted at a distance of 3 meters from each other on ridges at a distance of 4 meters and in the hole (hole) in the number of 2-3.
Studies have shown that in the preparation of cuttings, which are usually prepared from Damask rose Meymand, firstly, hard cuttings (woody) and secondly, semi-hard cuttings (semi-woody) had the highest amount of rooting.
The cuttings should be the thickness of a pencil and 20 cm long, and should be selected from wooden and sleeping parts. Next, the end buds must be removed. It is best to dip the end of the cuttings in a rooting hormone powder and then plant the cuttings at a depth of 7.5-10 cm in a pot or ground. The planting bed should be 50% garden soil and 50% washed sand.
Pruning:
damask rose does not need pruning for flowering. Pruning is usually done for two purposes: first, to remove the dried, rotten and annoying branches and second, to prevent the formation of long branches that make it difficult to pick flowers.
Primary pruning is done to form shrubs and stimulate branching, and seasonal pruning is done to remove dead and diseased parts. The amount of pruning depends on the management method, the conditions of the area and the breed of flowers. Reasonable pruning of shrubs will continue flowering and increase the useful life of the plant.
From the fifth year onwards, Golestan is sometimes covered due to the stagnation of plant growth, the prevalence of pests and diseases, the increase of dry branches and the high height of the branches. This intense pruning, due to balancing and regulating plant growth, stimulates and produces strong and numerous shoots in the field.
Flower harvest:
Flower harvest is one of the most important, sensitive and costly factors in the production of damask rose. Harvest time for damask rose in Kashan is from early June to mid-July. This takes 20-30 days in each area.
damask rose After opening, it lasts a little on the branch. If delayed, the color will turn white and fade within 24 hours. Therefore, it is necessary to harvest the open flowers daily before sunrise and preferably in cool morning weather.
As the weather warms, the harvested flowers wither quickly. Due to the fact that the flowers are usually stored and compacted, the fermentation activity intensifies.
In addition, the activity of anthology workers slows down due to rising temperatures. For this reason, it is better for workers to rest in the middle of the day and limit picking work to the cool hours of the day.
The flowers are removed from the peduncle by pulling.
These flowers are placed in baskets and baskets and after weighing, they are poured into sacks.
The average weight of each flower is 2.2 grams.
The time interval between picking the flowers and delivering them to traditional or industrial processing units is very important.
In a flower garden from the third year onwards, flower production is economical and usually the process of flower production until the age of 9 to 12 is increasing and then decreasing.
As the production process begins, the shrubs become shrubby. This practice is called Golestan rejuvenation.
A worker can pick up 50 to 70 kilograms of fresh flowers per day and receive a salary based on that.
In each region, flowering is completed in 20 to 30 days. The maximum flowering period is 10 to 20 days from the beginning, which is called the flowering period.
products:
The main products obtained from this plant include: rose, essential oil, petals, dried buds, concrete and abscess.
Rose has always had a special place in religious ceremonies, in preparing various sweets, washing sacred places, and due to its calming and fragrant effects, in mourning ceremonies (in Iranian culture).
essential oil extraction:
The Iranians first invented the distillation method and benefited from it for many years.
Rose watering is done in two traditional and industrial ways:
uses:
Rose water is more common in Iran and neighboring countries, and the essential oil of this product is widely consumed in European countries, the United States and Canada.
The main uses of essential oils are as follows:
1- Use in perfume and aromatic industries.
2- Use in health-cosmetic products, including cosmetics, lotions and soaps, shampoos, cleansing milk and beauty baths.
3- Use in food industry including sweets, drinks, pudding, jelly, etc.
4- Use in decorating dried flower baskets and flower arrangements.
5- Use in the pharmaceutical industry.