Rose Diseases And Remedies

In order to ensure that your prized roses remain in the best of health, here is some simple, but stalwart advice you can easily put into practice:

1. Black Spots on Leaves

This rose disease is unsurprisingly known as "black spot". You'll know when it strikes because circular black spots with lacey edges appear on the plants' leaves, eventually causing them to turn yellow. The remedy: Remove and discard the infected foliage and any fallen leaves around the rose. Artificial sprays may be employed to prevent or treat this sort of rose disease.

2. Stunted or malformed young canes

This is commonly known as "powdery mildew", a fungal disease that covers leaves, stems and buds with a white powder, transferred on the wind. It causes the leaves to curl up and grow purple. The remedy: Spray with Funginex or Benomyl to treat this fungal disease.

3. Blistered underside of leaves

Known as rust, this disease is characterized by orange-red blisters that turn black in autumn. However, it is hardy and is capable of surviving the winter, ready to attack new sprouts in the spring. The remedy: Carefully collect and discard leaves that are infected in autumn and consider spraying with a Benomyl or Funginex spray every 7-10 days, as this may help.

4. Malformed or stunted leaves and flowers

This disease is caused by spider mites, which are tiny yellow, red or green spiders found on the underside of leaves where they suck out the juices from the plant. The remedy: The application of Orthene or Isotox may help in treating this infestation.

5. Weak and mottled leaves with tiny white webs under them

Aphids cause this problem. They are small soft-bodied brown, green or red bugs. They often congregate under leaves and flower buds, where they suck out the plant juices from tender buds. The remedy: Malathion or diazinon spray may help roses to survive these insects.

6. Flowers that don't open or are deformed when they open.

"Thrips" could possibly be the reason behind this problem. They are slender, yellow-brown insects with fringed wings, that, like the other infestations mentioned, aim to suck out the juices from flower buds. The remedy: Remove and discard the infested flowers and consider an application or two, of Orthene or Malathion, which may help to combat this trouble.

Finally, remember that roses are hungry feeders that require a lot of fertilizer to become and remain the beautiful, healthy bushes you chose them for.

About the Author:
by Christopher Byrnes
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A Beginners Guide to the Rose Garden

Roses are one of the most popular domesticated plants around the world today. Protected and treasured, they hold universal appeal; whether around the cottage doorway or the grandest palace grounds. Today there is a rose for every place and purpose, from the formal garden, arbors, trellises and fences to hedges, accent plants and decorative features on patios or terraces. One of the most versatile plants, the rose is an exciting plant for any one interested in gardening.

There are several factors in successfully growing roses of fine quality in your home garden. They include: location, fertile soil, drainage, correct planting, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, winter protection and the control of pests.

Location

In order to produce a good bloom, roses need a minimum of six hour of sun light a day. While not necessary, roses should get a good dose of light shade in the afternoon as this will help their blooms retain color longer. They should be planted away from trees, shrubs or hedges which are heavy surface feeders as this will deprive the roses of much needed nutrients and water. Roses also need good air circulation and don't like confined spaces.

Soil

The most important requirements for the soil in which you will grow your roses are drainage and fertility. Roses can thrive in fairly heavy clay or sandy loam soils if these two requirements are met. The Ideal soil for growing roses is a good garden loam with lots of organic matter. Roses also prefer a slightly acid soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5

Drainage

While roses need large quantities of water for their best growth, it is absolutely essential that they have good drainage as they will be seriously injured in standing water. To fix areas with high water tables or poor drainage, laying tiles or crushed stone under the planting will assist the water draining away.

Planting

Roses may be planted in the autumn after the bushes have stopped active growth and are dormant but before the ground freezes. They can also be planted in the early spring while the plants are still dormant or they can be planted as potted roses after growth has started. Spring planting should be done as early in the spring as the ground can be successfully worked. Care must be taken when planting potted roses to not break the ball of earth it was planted in.

Growing distances will depend on the type and variety of the roses you will be planting. However, because of their very vigorous growing habits most roses should be planted about 2 feet apart in general.

The roots of the rose should never be exposed to the sun or wind before planting, but should be kept wrapped in wet paper or moss and left in a dark place like a plastic bag or the garden shed.
In a hole of ample size, place the rose so that the roots are in a natural position and the point of union between the stock and the scion is between 1 and 2 inches below the surface. Planting to high will cause the rose to not have enough support and planting to deep will starve the rose of oxygen. After back filling and packing in the soil firmly, thorough watering will be needed.

Pruning

The purpose of pruning is to remove dead or weak wood and to maintain height and form. Pruning is dependant on the type of rose you have planted and the part of the world you are in. However there are several fundamentals which apply to all varieties and locals. 1. All dead cane should be removed at the base. 2. Winter damaged canes should be cut back to sound wood. 3. Canes interfering with the height or shape of the plant, or canes that are rubbing other canes should be cut back or removed. 4. Sharp pruning should always be used. Dull shears will damage the plant making fungal and bacterial growth easier. 5. Cuts should be made just above the bud, slanting in the same direction of the bud and as close to the bud a s possible without causing damage to it.

Mulching and winter protection

Roses benefit from mulching in the summer. Mulch roses with your desired material making sure not to exceed 1 inch in depth.

Winter protection is dependant on local, climate, exposure and hardiness. Make sure that the ground is well supplied with water. Soil should be brought up around the roses to a height of 10 to 15 inches. After the ground has frozen, mulch with hay or a similar material.

There are few flowers which bring the touches of warmth and graciousness, of the color and beauty to the surroundings of the modest home like the rose.

About the Author
Anne Kirrin writes for the popular Gardening Basics , a blog about gardening, landscaping and plants

The Basics of Rose Gardens

There are two main classes of roses: Bush roses and climbing roses. These two classifications are based entirely on tendencies of growth. Bush roses grow from 1 foot to 6 feet in height and require no support. Climbing roses produce long canes each year and must be provided with some type of support. Bush Roses Bush roses include many types grouped according to flowering habit, winter hardiness, and other traits. These types are hybrid teas, floribundas. polyanthas, hybrid perpetuals, shrubs, old-fashioned, tree or standard, and miniature.

Hybrid Teas: Hybrid teas are more widely grown and more popular than all other types of roses combined. They are the so-called monthly or everblooming roses, and are the ones grown in beds in rose gardens and by florists under glass. In fact, when the word "rose" is used, it generally suggests a hybrid tea variety. Most hybrid teas are winterhardy in the milder sections of the country, but varieties differ in cold resistance. In sections where winters are severe, practically all varieties need some protection.

Floribundas: Floribunda roses bear their flowers in clusters, and the individual blooms of many closely resemble hybrid teas. They are increasing in popularity, especially for bed plantings where large numbers of flowers are wanted. As a rule floribunda varieties are hardy: they will tolerate more neglect than any other type of rose with the possible exception of some of the shrub species. While some are fine for cutting, they will not replace hybrid teas for this purpose.

Polyanthas: Polyantha roses are distinguished from the floribundas by their smaller flowers, which are borne in large clusters. They are closely related to many of the climbing roses, having flower clusters very similar to them in form and size of individual florets. The polyanthas are hardy and may be grown in many sections where hybrid teas are difficult to grow. Their chief use is in bed plantings or in borders with other perennials. They are excellent for mass plantings.

Hybrid Perpetuals: Hybrid perpetuals are the June roses of grandmother's garden. Their flowers are large. Generally they lack the refinement of hybrid teas. As their name indicates, they are considered as ever-blooming types, although most of them do not bear continuously through the growing season as do hybrid teas. They usually develop large, vigorous bushes if given good cultural care and proper pruning. They are very hardy and stand low winter temperatures without protection.

Shrub Roses: Shrub roses are actually a miscellaneous group of wild species, hybrids, and varieties that develop an open bush type of growth that is useful in general landscape work. They are hardy in all sections of the country. While their flowers do not equal in size or form those of other types of roses, many bear very attractive seed pods in the fall. They have very fine foliage and some are quite useful for hedges or screen plantings.

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About the Author
Elizabeth Passage has a lifelong passion for, and extensive experience in, the garden gift, landscaping, garden decor, garden design industries. Her web site is MerchantsPassage.com, wh

How to Grow a Rose

Roses are the perfect way to a get woman to swoon, however, roses are not cheap. Each rose can cost several dollars a piece. If you buy a dozen roses it could cost you as much as $50. That gets expensive quick. There are two solutions to this dilemma. You can either stop buying flowers for your sweet heart and risk complete rejection or plant your own roses. The second option is much easier on your health and well being. Roses not only beautify your house but they give you a ready supply of flowers for that one you love.

Planting Roses

The fear of planting roses has long been a major deterrent to having a beautiful flower patch. Roses are not at all hard to plant. First, go to the nursery and find a rose bush that you like. A red rose is always a good choice. After you find the perfect a rose bush that you like dig a hole just larger than the root ball of the bush and remove the pot or burlap covering from the roots. Place the bush in the hole and fill it. Then add a generous helping of water. Be careful not to put any harsh fertilizers in the hole as they will burn your roses. It is as simple as that.

Care for your Roses

Roses aren't very hard to care for but they do take some maintenance throughout the year. Roses need lots of water each week. If you live in a dry area you might consider a drip system or an automated sprinkler system. This will help reduce the time you spend taking care of your roses. A drip system is the preferred choice as it uses less water and helps control the weeds.

Fertilizing

You should fertilize your roses often. Your roses will be hungry for nutrients. Try to use fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus. The middle of the three numbers on the fertilizer bag is the phosphorus. Be sure to stop fertilizing your roses in the early fall.

Pruning

Pruning your roses is especially important to controlling the growth of you rose bush. As you prune you roses you will divert the plants energy from old growth to new growth. Every spring prune out all of the dead limbs on you bush. Then cut several of the larger branches just above the buds. The rose bush will grow new branches from the buds. To give your bush a good shape cut it so that the buds are facing the way you want the bush to grow.

Deadheading

One of the most important things to do to keep beautiful roses blooming all year is to deadhead them often. Deadheading is simply trimming the dead roses off of the plant. This will encourage you rose bush to produce more roses and it will keep your rose bush looking beautiful and healthy.

Next time you are thinking about buying roses remember how much money you could save by planting your own rose bush. Not only is it less expensive but, think about how convenient it would be to pick a rose on you way in the house. Now that will impress your sweet heart.

About the Author:
By Justin Grover

Why Rose Gardening Is So Addictive

For many of us, the act of gardening brings us closer to nature by getting us outdoors and allowing us the opportunity to tend and grow objects that in the absence of our assistance would not be able to survive, let alone thrive. There is a special connection between the growers of roses and their plants, however, which seems to go even beyond the basic instincts of the traditional gardener.

The first reason that roses can be such an addictive plant is the roots it has in our culture in the form of myth and symbolism. The same reason we are addicted to rose gardening is the same reason we are willing to pay a ridiculous amount for a single flower or bunch on Valentine's Day- nothing in our society communicates more than the rose. This cultural phenomenon has been a part of western heritage for longer than anyone can trace. The rose was considered a flower of romance in ancient China, where it was first developed, and was used throughout the Roman Empire. British history is full of roses in every context- the theater where Shakespeare's plays were put on was known as the rose, and some of the most distinguishing events in British history occurred during the long "War of the Roses". Roses were not actually introduced to Europe in the cultivated style until the late 1700s, when they arrived from China.

Perhaps some of the addiction we have in cultivating roses stems in part from the same areas that our ancient forebears found so appealing. Many roses have a very distinctive scent, and the shape of the rose is certainly unique enough in itself to warrant extensive cultivation and appeal. Roses can also be found in many different colors and varieties, and there is symbolism attached to every colour that roses can be found in- red, of course, symbolizes love, but did you know that pink roses carry a message of gratitude, while yellow represent joy?

Roses also represent a singular species which can manifest itself in a variety of styles, and therefore a rose gardener really needs only to focus on rose types to bring all the variety to the appearance of her lawn and garden that could be wished for. Roses can be planted in the miniature style, as bushes, and as climbers. As has been noted above, roses are also available in several different colors which will add to the overall diversity in appearance of your garden. Roses are also available in petals of many different sizes to further add diversity to your landscaping. Species roses grow hips that are colorful and last well into the winter, and can add a further sprinkle of uniqueness to your landscaping by attracting birds throughout the winter months.

Lastly, roses require as little or as much attention as the gardener wants to put in. Pruned bushes look ideal, but roses are also beautiful when allowed to grow freely. Roses also tend to be very hardy and resistant to diseases. The soil composition needs not have too many considerations, and the ground cover is totally up to the gardener.

Growing roses can be an addicting experience because of their history, their beauty, their variety, and their maintenance. Once a person dedicates their garden space to the cultivation of roses, the possibilities are limitless.

About the Author:
Chester Smith maintains a website for enthusiasts of rose gardening.

Search more about the beauty and symbol in many cultures of love, grace and passion and the different colors of roses.

Rose Gardening

Roses have long been a symbol in many cultures of love, grace and passion and the different colors of roses also carry their own special meanings. Rose gardening brings the rewards of color, fragrance and beauty.

Here you will find substantial resources to plan and grow your own rose garden if you are a beginner and tips to maintain your garden to enjoy its ongoing beauty.