22,153 Garden Web Discussions | Roses



The same mulching I used in Fl., I now use it up here in N.E. GA. It's a little work in the spring but the results are fantastic. I get my pine needles from Lowes for about $3.50 a bale (then 10% discount for military vet). Oak leaves I get from me and both neighbors. I also use the oak leaves for winter protection in the garden.

I get shredded tree mulch from a local tree-service, they bring me truck-loads for FREE...and free is good! It's cheaper for them than paying at the land-fill....and they bring oak or pine, not junk stuff... I have a huge pile in my drive-way right now, waiting to be hauled off to my beds....sally

If a cane is exceedingly tall, like over 5 or 6 feet and sticks out above the majority of the rest of the plant, you could trim it down to the height of the rest of that bush. That way it won't blow around and possibly break over winter. But wait to do this until after the plant has gone dormant. Otherwise for any hard pruning it's best to do it in the spring.


Rootstocks of grafted hybrid teas from 2011 are almost all either 'Dr. Huey' or multiflora. The OP can tell which by looking at the foliage. Dr. H is dark and glossy, while multiflora is lighter green and matte. Multiflora is useless as a garden plant. Dr. H is pretty in spring, but, in eastern North America, it will be bloomless and naked from blackspot all summer and fall unless it is sprayed every two weeks.
This post was edited by michaelg on Thu, Oct 2, 14 at 9:31

I'm not rereading the whole thread to see if it was posted here, nor do I remember where the information came from, but fairly recently a science-based source indicated that exposure to the sun actually does encourage new growth from old wood. Previously I had suspected this was one of the many false beliefs that gardeners share with each other, but not so. Thus, prune to open the center, pull back the mulch a little bit, and if necessary remove crowded lower leaves. Of course these actions would have no effect on a buried graft, but shoots from low on a thick cane are nearly as good.
Otherwise it's mostly a matter of keeping the plant happy with good basic nutrition and watering. Basal canes are more likely to be produced during mild weather in spring and fall. Rejuvenation pruning where you remove 1/4 or 1/3 of the canes at the base will encourage basal growth. But some plants just won't cooperate. Currently I have an old hybrid tea with only two basal canes. It's still very productive, but eventually I may have to take it down to nothing in order to rejuvenate it (or maybe ruin it).

Michael, I may have posted that. I have noticed that a graft or root ball exposed to sun will throw off more basals. Sometimes taht happens when a rose is cut down to the graft, or in the late winter/early summer when there is no leaves on trees and no shade. I get full southern exposure in my front yard and I get some basals breaking in December and January, I try to protect them so they last. I'm not always successful.



I love the idea of flat priced roses ! How nice to be able to order just one , or 5 and know what you are paying before you total it all up. Sometimes I didn't want to order because I felt I needed to order a few to get my monies worth of shipping . Now no need to even think of that .
And 25$ is sometimes below my local nursery charge for roses I am not even interested in!
Thanks for alerting us to the changes and I'm going to stArt working on my Christmas Wish list now ! :)


I had a small infestation of beetles a while back. While trying to see if I could find them, I saw two in the process of mating - I'm guessing they were the original culprits. I quickly took my sandal, flicked them off to the sidewalk, and squished them. So far, no new injuries! But I'm vigilant; I'll probably dust with cayenne pepper later on when it's less wet.

The only method I have ever used and I have used many to rid of these Japanese Beetles is to use a bug zapper within 5 feet of the roses or whatever they end up feeding on. They are like thrips, once they start feeding on something and know where it is they tell all their buddies, and their offspring. They will continue to come back even if you eradicate them with soap or another Biological Pesticide. This I put out right at the first sign of damage, and after a few weeks I can take it inside. Then again after about a month or so if they come back which they do- I put out the zapper again.
Works for me in Hawaii.

Thanks Michael.
Its pretty warm here with temp above 20 Celsius. Night time being 10. We are equal to zone 9 there. This has slightly spread on to other roses as well :(. I have 17 roses planted and don't want them all to get this. Should I remove the plant?
Other plants are budding and this is the worst looking with very few leaves.

Although it might survive and produce new canes from the base, I doubt it will thrive. I would replace it. Possibly the vendor would give you another. It looks like you got a plant with something wrong with it. Most US vendors would replace such a plant.



How interesting. Ann your posts seem to be sending me on google treks lately!
Here is a link that might be useful: A previous discussion of facination on GW
I had a rose cane like that before, it appeared as if two canes merged into one. I thought it was fascination. I honestly forget which rose it was, but it didn't come down with RRD.