|
| Hello, I tried to get an ID on this rose bush on the Name That Rose forum, not realizing it couldn't be identified without blooms. (please see my post there if you'd like to see the pictures of it, all eaten - http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesname/msg0719402112112.html ) I have applied an insecticide this past weekend, so hopefully I will soon have buds and blooms to help ID it. But I'm wondering if I should prune off any of the severely-eaten parts? And if so, how/where? This is the first rose bush I've ever had, so I am pretty clueless on how to take care of it. The only things I've done so far were prune off the huge brown lifeless stalks when I first moved in, and applied the insecticide the other day. Would it be best to cut off the insect-eaten parts? Or should I just leave it for now and see what happens? I'd really like to see blooms this year, and ID it so I know what I have. Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| If the leaf is still green, even though it has holes in it, it is still capable of feeding the plant so you can leave those. If there's nothing left but a skeleton you can remove those since there isn't enough left to do any good really. Anything that has begun to yellow can be removed because it's no longer functioning. Clean up anything on the ground to keep things neat but it doesn't make much difference as far as preventing diseases. When you dead head you can prune a little deeper to take off some of the damaged areas. The plant should begin to regrow quickly at that time anyway. |
|
| What Seil said. Anything green continues feeding and shading the plant. A rose bush (like most other plants) is the perfect "commune". As long as any part contributes at least as much as it requires and benefits the entire organism, the plant retains it. Once any part requires more resources than it provides, the plant sheds it. Thinking of the entire this way should also make it easier when thinking of "blind growth", those shoots which form leaves but no flowers. Every leaf feeds the plant. If the plant forms leaves but no flowers, doesn't it stand to reason it's because the plant needs FOOD or shade, rather than attempts to reproduce? Kim |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Roses Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
