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Rose Rules
- Plant non-hybrids if you are not dedicated to maintenance.
- When cutting roses, cut back to the first 5
leaf cluster.
- Develop a fertilization program - roses are
heavy feeders.
- Decide on roses only for your USDA Hardiness
Zone.
- Plant only what you can take care of (sort of
a life rule).
- Be neat and clean and pick up all diseased
leaves and cuttings and dispose of them. This will make a difference.
- Use soaker hoses for the best watering
program.
- When you cut roses, be sure to trim the bottom
leaves before putting in a vase. This will prevent bacteria from growing. Change
water daily.
- Baking soda can be used as black spot
develops. 2 tsp of baking soda and a few drops of liquid soap in 1 gallon
of water. Use this to spray in the early mornings . Use every 4-5 days
until the weather dries up and black spot disappears
- Be sure to eliminate the suckers growing on
the bottom of the rose bush. They may eventually choke out the parent
plant.
- Discover heirloom or the 'old garden roses'.
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 Q: My roses seem
to be doing well, the leaves are a good color and I am spraying for pests.
When they bloom, the blooms are malformed, the buds almost resemble
peonies with the round appearance. Any ideas?
A: Rose buds that are malformed may be afflicted with thrips. These are
very active tiny, slender. brownish yellow, winged insects that hide in
the base of infected flowers. Thrips are very fond of light colored roses.
Your best
bet is to cut off and dispose of spent blooms and you can use an
insecticidal soap or a stronger insecticide that will contain acephate.
Apply according to the instructions on the side of the container.
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