Recommended Tasks for Roses

Recommended Tasks for Roses

And I will make thee beds of roses, And a thousand fragrant posies.–Christopher Marlowe (1564-93) Pruning Timing is determined by the class of the rose plant and the hardiness zone in which it is growing. Most rose pruning is done in the spring, with the blooming of the forsythia as a signal to get moving. If you don't have forsythia, watch for when the leaf buds begin to swell on your rose plants, meaning the bumps on the canes get larger and reddish in color. Feritilization Fertilize roses at bud break, then each month during the growing season, or according to package directions. Stop Fertilizing in August. Watering Roses should get one inch of water a week during the growing season, either from rain or irrigation.        Disease Prevention Remember that different types of roses vary greatly in their resistance to diseases and the maintenance they require. To grow roses successfully, you must select varieties that require an amount of care equal to that which you are able to provide. Shrub type roses bloom beautifully with few chemical controls needed, while the more susceptible varieties such as hybrid tea roses require an effective spray program to be in place before the growing season begins.   Start a regular spraying program to control black spot and other rose maladies as soon as the leaves emerge. Mulch roses well, but be careful not to pile mulch against the root base.