22,795 Garden Web Discussions | Roses
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
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.
I wouldn't make a blanket statement that minis are more prone to blackspot. Where I live even very disease resistent roses get blackspot, like my Julia child Floribunda which is so disease resistent for others. I have two potted minis that I do not normally spray that don't get blackspot at all. One of my mini's is orange and the blooms do fade on it, but I don't think it's due to the sun as much as it's just the way the bloom declines as it ages. My mini is in part shade. Post a picture for us when it blooms, I'd love to see it.
I grew Cl. Iceberg at my previous home. There it received 4.5 hours of sun from about 10:30 until about 3. It was healthy and very floriferous when in bloom.
Lynn
Leezen, are those electrical conduits you are using with your roses?
Bet I could make some quick tripods with those for a second row of roses that need a bit more sun...hmmm