21,402 Garden Web Discussions | Roses

Check out Paul Zimmerman's video on how to rejuvenate a rose. To me, it looks like it is merely suffering from neglect, and has too much old/ dead wood on it, that needs to be removed. I'd take out all the dead wood first. Then, that long cane on the right of the photo: I'd cut that back to the upright little green stem,and water and fertilize...but check out the PZ video, or post your question on his forum "Roses are Plants, Too" is the name of the site. There are lots of knowledgeable people that not only know how to "fix" that rose, but also-unlike myself-can probably post a copy of your photo of the rose, with little lines showing exactly what to cut off! In general though I agree with Charleney,Zac and Cecily, though personally I don't see why you can't prune now, as long as you water a lot...bart




She doesn't use any fungicides, pesticides, or sprays of any kind. Fertilizer when she remembers, yearly soil amendment, and yearly mulching is the extent of her care besides watering. I generally dead head everything when I stop by. I haven't noticed mildew on Disneyland even though it's a regular problem here. The rust came on around August of last year and persisted to some degree through being pruned back in January. I'll check the foliage the next time I can to see how it looks this time of year.
Jay

I love Night Owl and Sombreuil climbing next to each other on a large trellis going up to a deck. I'm very fond of purples juxtaposed with cream, white, or yellow. I'm also excited about Rosette Delizy sandwiched by Monsieur Tillier and General Gallieni at my mom's house. It should be quite magnificent in a few years.
Jay

Rabbits LOVE roses. Prickles have no effect on them. They'll eat any rose tissue they can get in their mouths. Rats and squirrels do exactly the same thing. All of their damage is identical. The "cuts" are perfect 45 degree angles. Rabbits will each whatever they can get to, including new basal breaks from well established, mature bushes. I permit the petty spurge "weeds" to grow around my roses because the rabbits seem repelled by them. None of the new growth originating in those weeds is touched. Much of what isn't protected by them is eaten. If you can put up a physical barrier to protect the plants, it works best. If you can't, good luck! Kim


Gloves for working with roses, yes. Goatskin.
Now for the woman who got stuck.Do you spray your roses? If so, I think you should see a Dr right away and take the spray bottle with you. I feel Dr's and antibiotics were put here for our use when we need them.




The only thing that's ever worked reliably for me is the Scarecrow Motion Sensor water sprayer from Do Your Own Pest Control. It's $50, but worth it to save the hundreds in damage they'll do. You can watch videos of it in action on YouTube.
The best part- it's safe and harmless to the critters. I've had mine for 2 years. I hope you'll get more blooms soon!

I just buy Alfalfa pellets from the feed store and put it in the planting hole or work into top layer around the plant. Saves alot of time ( and mess) and acts as a slow release as it breaks down. I learned that from our regional president of ARS so figured it must work- and it does!

I second the method of dressing the plants with alfalfa pellets...I heard this from experienced gardeners. One day in the pet store we bumped into an old friend of my DH's, she was there to buy the pellets for her roses, then DH told me the rose growers around always use this method. Next year instead of buying rose fertilizers I will simply buy some alfalfa pellets and miracle grow...plus we make great compost every year.









Yeppers, the yellows tend to be the heat lovers...at least that's been my experience in growing roses. :-)
Despite the ferocious heat, this one hasn't dropped a single petal.
Unfortunately. ;^)