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| Hi!
So last year I bought two David Austin from Chamblee.
I bought an Abraham Darby and a Glamis Castle. Both have actually done fair! The Abraham Darby was the climbing variety and so it went in the ground. I had read I could grow the Glamis Castle in a pot so I bought a large 12" pot and it's doing fair as well. I wondered if anyone here around me (Zone 9 or 10?) grows David Austin? I really need some advise on how to actually KEEP them alive. The Abraham Darby looks like it has a bit of black spot but looks pretty good other than that... It has three large blooms right now and 7 or so buds... It has one REALLY tall cane (it was like 7' while the rest of the plant is around 3').. it has no buds on it at all.. just a very tall cane.. I cut it back by a couple of feet. I have NO idea how to actually prune roses. I read about it but I need visual aids! I guess though since they both have new growth and one has flowers already that I won't be pruning until later?. I did read that the Abraham Darby likes a Summer pruning. Sorry to ramble on but I need guidance! Is there a good book I should get about growing roses in general or are David Austin roses so different that I should study only about them? This entire post started because I walked outside this AM and saw the HUGE amazing Abraham Darby bloom and was just blown away and totally in love with these roses again! This rose is so dreamy!!!
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Oh one other question please! I am considering keeping the Glamis Castle in a pot for a while because it is still pretty small (maybe 2').. I've read about growing them in pots and I used organic soil and manure when I potted it and also added in some of the actual David Austin fert. when I planted it.. My question is should I add in a bit more soil on top of it now? Maybe more organic compost soil? Or should I just keep using fert. on it? Lastly do you THINK I really need to keep buying the David Austin brand fert. or can I use something else and if so, what is a good slow release? or other good fert? Thank you again! |
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- Posted by ken-n.ga.mts (My Page) on Sat, Feb 25, 12 at 19:13
| Check with the fol;ks at the Orlando Rose Society. I know several folks there that grow Austin roses. One of the largest collections of Austin Roses is over in Tampa. Check with the Tampa Rose Society on her. I think her name is Connie Verbisky (SPL). When I lived in FL I grew several DA roses. A lot of them do great in the FL climate. Check with Cool Roses in Palm Beach. I think they still carry a few DA roses grafted on to fortuniana root stock. A little footwork on your part but I think you'll be happy that you checked with people that grow them in your area. |
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- Posted by floridarosez9 10 (My Page) on Sat, Feb 25, 12 at 22:37
| I use alfalfa pellets and cotton seed meal on my Austins in the ground and in pots. Scratch in the cotton seed meal, or it makes a hard crust. Don't get the alfalfa too close to the canes or it might cause them to rot. I also give an occasional dose of water soluble fertilizer. |
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- Posted by floridarosez9 10 (My Page) on Sun, Feb 26, 12 at 11:49
| Oh, I forgot to say how jealous I am of the color of your bloom. Are they all that deep apricot? My blooms were always much paler. |
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| Hi! Thank you so much for the mention of the Tampa society! I am going to check it out. Hi Floridarose! Thanks for the recommendations. I was just looking around for alfalfa.. I very much appreciate you commenting. I got two more DA just in. Tradescant and Golden Celebration! From Chamblee. They look nice and healthy. I am so new at rose culture but I am beyond excited! Floridaroses... the color varies on my Abraham Darby...its not a year old yet. I have noticed that the really nice color like that seems to be on areas of the bush that are closest to the house. The plant is on a wall. I had read that they like the heat of a wall. The golden celebration is supposed to get really large and I am putting it on a fence. I think the Tradescant, which is supposed to be fairly small and bushy, I am growing in a pot for a while... I think! |
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- Posted by floridarosez9 10 (My Page) on Thu, Mar 8, 12 at 20:02
| Daisy you can get alfalfa at any feed store but make sure you choose a product that has no added sat. I also get my cotton seed meal from the feed store. |
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- Posted by floridarosez9 10 (My Page) on Fri, Mar 9, 12 at 19:13
| Geez--no added SALT. |
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| Your bloom is lovely! I agree with Ken, talk to your local rose society for the best advice for your area. They'll be able to guide you in the right care for your climate. I don't think Austin roses are any different than most other roses in growing needs. After good soil they need sun, water and food. You certainly don't have to buy the Austin fertilizer unless you want to because you like it. Any good slow release should work fine. I've used Osmocote and Miracle Gro and others and they all work. If the pots have settled or soil has washed out you can add soil to the tops but you might want to think about maybe putting some kind of mulch on the tops instead. A good mulch can help with water retention in a pot. I use a fine pine bark mulch in my pots usually but there are a lot of choices and I'm not sure what's available in Florida. |
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| I live in Z9 Florida and have had Abraham Darby for about 10 years. He does very well here. I LOVE the color of your blooms. |
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