Pruning & General Information Roses Pruning & General Information

Selection Select pest and disease resistant varieties Two main categories: Garden Roses -valued for their flowers hybrid teas (most common Rose in home gardens), floribundas, grandifloras, and climbers Landscape Roses – Shrub Roses Low maintenance Grow on their own root stock (not grafted) Select pest and disease resistant varieties

Site Location Protect roses from wind High light exposure minimum 6 hours Avoid crowding Well draining soil

Planting Bare Root: Easy to plant Less expensive Wide selection Cut tops back to 12 -15” Soak 8-12 hours Remove damaged & broken roots Botrytis Remove pencil thin canes Goal 3-5 canes/plant & 3-5 buds/cane

Planting cont. Dig hole Spread roots evenly Wide & deep Spread roots evenly Fill 2/3 with soil & soak to settle Do not tamp Add more soil & soak to settle

Planting cont. Containerized Roses Cost more Instant results Generally in bloom, providing preview of the rose New option – biodegradable containers Dig hole – wide & deep Refill hole Water same as bare root

Pruning Deadheading Reduce disease Improve circulation

Pruning cont. General Guidelines Remove dead, damaged or diseased wood Keep shrub from becoming a tangled mess Shape the plant Increase air circulation Removal of 1/3 to 2/3 healthy wood OK Encourage growth of flowering wood Cuts ¼” above outward facing buds

Pruning cont. Prune in January Clean sharp tools BY-PASS PRUNERS

Remove growth below bud union Pruning cont. Hybrids Prune annually 3-5 canes Vase shape Remove growth below bud union

Pruning cont. Landscape Roses Climbing Roses Unpruned or “rejuvenation” pruning Miniatures can be mowed Climbing Roses Wait 2-3 years after planting Select ~6 well spaced canes Attach to support – remove others January – remove unproductive canes Cut lateral shoots back to 3 buds

#1 Disease & Pest Problems Limit problems by purchasing disease resistant varieties; good air circulation; right location; sound pruning techniques; remove infestations immediately.

Powdery Mildew White grey powdery growth Spread by air borne spores Disrupt daily spore cycle Wash foliage Prevention method 4 tsp baking soda per gallon with 1% solution of horticultural oil (JMS Stylet Oil; saf-T-Side Spray Oil, Sunspray Ultrafine Spray Oil; neem oil; Jojoba oil)

Aphids Red, green, yellow, black soft bodied insects Heavy infestation accumulation of honey dew sooty mold black leaves Natural predators: lady beetles; solider beetles; syrphid flies Control Strong stream of water Insecticide : acephate (Orthene)

General Care Fertilize Regularly inspect for pests & disease 3-1-3 or 3-1-2 (N-P-K) Regularly inspect for pests & disease Irrigation Yard clean up Post pruning spray Treat plant & soil with dormant spray or sulfur