Rose Tips by Al Karsten
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June 2001
Around the second week of June, roses need to be fertilized for the second time, unless you have recently applied osmocote fertilizer. Dig a shallow trench around the rose bush and apply 8 ounces (one coffee cup) of 13-13-13 fertilizer and water-in thoroughly. Re-cover the small trench with the soil or compost pulled away from the rose bush.
It is also time to deadhead (cut back) all faded blooms to promote additional growth and blooms. Cut the faded bloom at the first five-leaf leaflet. You will notice an "eye" at the axial of the cane. Cut about l/4 inch above the 5th leaflet. Pruning should be done on the outside of the cane to keep all the canes from growing together in the middle of the bush. You want the center of the bush to be open for good air circulation and new growth. Always cut rose canes at an angle, never cutting straight across the cane.
At this time of the growing season, you should be spraying your roses weekly. I believe in the old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Preventive means spraying on a regular basis. In our area the most serious fungal diseases are mildew and blackspot. To avoid these problems we need to use chemicals. I wish I could recommend an organic spray for the disease prevention as well as for control of damaging insects and would appreciate any information on organic spraying other Savvygardeners have tried and had good results. Blackspot will appear in warm weather and high humidity. If roses are not treated via spraying, all the leaves could fall off weakening the rosebush. A fungicide chemical is needed. I am often asked what chemicals I use to overcome the diseases mentioned (these are not necessarily recommendations). I spray once a week using Funginex and the last week of the month, I use Dacnoil 2787. Continuous spraying with the same fungicide may result in a build up of an immunity - which you want to avoid. For me it is easiest to remember to use a different fungicide the last week of each month.
When you notice insects on the rose leaves, you need to include an insecticide to your weekly spray program. I use Isotox. There are others available. Follow directions on all chemicals. The fungicide and insecticide can be mixed together in the same spray container. I use a pump sprayer that allows me to spray under and on top of the leaves with a minimum of time. It is recommended you wear a long sleeve shirt and trousers. Change clothing after you have cleaned your sprayer. Wash your face and hands thoroughly. I wear a mask for protection when I spray the roses. Do not use the same sprayer for weed killer. You need two separate sprayers. Extra spray should not be held over until the following week. Use left-over for perennials such as phlox or any mildew prone plants or shrubs such as lilac. It is helpful to add one tablespoon of Rapid-Gro, Miracle-Gro or K-Gro (K-Mart). The foliar fertilizer can be mixed with other spray material in the sprayer. You will notice a difference in the growth of your roses. While you're at it add one tablespoon per gallon of foliar fertilizer and apply to your perennials and annuals with a watering can. You will be surprised in their growth!
Many Rosarians have been affected with the rose rosette disease. I quote
from the K-State Research & Extension publication "Rose
rosette is thought to be caused by a viral agent, but this has not been
confirmed. Transmission of the disease has been shown experimentally
throughout grafting and is also thought to be spread by mites. There is no
effective control measure for rose rosette infected plants. In garden
settings, infected plants should be removed and destroyed. A description
of rose rosette, is thought to start with a rapid elongation of a new
shoot. The rapid shoot growth may continue for several weeks to a length
of two to three feet. The stems develop excessive thorniness and produce
small, deformed leaves with a reddish-purple pigmentation." In
cases of rose rosette disease the rose bush should be removed. You cannot
remove the disease portion with expectation the unaffected part of the
bushes will produce blooms. The bush will usually die. I have read you can
plant a new rose bush in the same hole and use the same soil. You do not
need to wait a certain period of time to replace the rose.
Rose Books from Amazon.com
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