Page 31 - Harnett Life Summer 2021

Roses need good drainage and most of our native soil will flower next year. Many climbers are pruned to stay within a
need some amendments before planting. A “raised bed” design basic boundary with the older canes pruned. Look for blooms
works well for this condition. Get your soil tested to determine about 6-8 weeks after pruning. First year roses should be al-
what is needed to adjust the pH to the 5.5 or 6 range. The soil lowed to bloom. After the rose bush matures the flowers can
should be tilled to a depth of 8-12 inches. Organic matter such be cut regularly.
as decayed sawdust, pine bark, compost, or manure may be
added to soils to loosen it. Fertilizing Is another important topic. Immediately after prun-
ing, blend organic amendments into the soil. Water thoroughly
A good plant will require a hole large enough so roots can first, then spread the ingredients evenly around the bush, under
spread out into it – about 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, the outer perimeter of the bush. Blend lightly into the top 1-2
depending on the size of the plant. Before putting soil back inch of soil and water well again. As the soil warms with the
around the roots be sure they are loose and not circling into a weather, the organics will start to break down, supplying slow-
ball. Broken roots should be pruned off. The backfill should release nutrition to your roses and the beneficial soil micro-
contain native soil along with the amended soil for good mois- organisms.
ture distribution and uptake. Plants should be mounded slightly
higher than “grade level.” The soil should be tamped down to For newly-planted, bare-root plants, be careful not to burn the
eliminate any air pockets, but not to the point of compaction. tiny new roots. Apply organic amendments to the soil at plant-
Watering during planting will help in this. ing time, then wait until after the plant has produced its first
blooms to apply chemical fertilizers, about once a month. By
A 3–4-inch layer of mulch will help hold moisture, discourage this time, you can be sure the roots are large enough to with-
weeds, and prevent soil crusting. It is important to use mulch stand chemical additions without burning. Water well first, ap-
rather than pine straw as pine straw quickly compacts and ply the fertilizer, and water well again. Apply a balanced 10-
breaks down, adding too much acid to the soil for roses. 10-10 fertilizer to established roses in early to mid-March. If
you properly prepared your rose bed with lots of well compos-
Roses need a weekly soaking by nature or by you. Soaker hos- ted cow manure, the rose bushes will have the micro-nutrients
es work great for this, especially if they are connected to a they need to thrive. Properly maintained roses will provide you
programmable timer. This delivers moisture to the roots while with a summer filled with copious blooms. For more informa-
keeping leaves dry. If an overhead watering system is used, tion on rose culture and maintenance you can contact your lo-
operate it in the morning to allow the leaves time to dry. This cal Cooperative Extension office.
will help lessen the chances of black spot or powdery mildew
infections. Adapted from NCSU Extension publication: Roses for North
Carolina
Pruning your roses ensures vigorous and healthier plants. Your
established roses should already be mulched, so start by pull- For more information, contact Mack Johnson, Extension Horti-
ing the mulch away from the center to see the full form. Hy- cultural Agent, at 910-671-3276, by Email at Mack_Johnson@
brid teas and floribundas are pruned similarly. Around the time nscu.edu, or visit our website at http://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/.
when forsythia is blooming, do a spring prune just as the buds
break dormancy. You will see red bud eyes where new growth
will begin and possibly up to a quarter to half inch of new
growth. So watch for the buds; when they begin to swell, go
ahead and prune. Spring pruning also allows for removal of
wood which was damaged by the winter. If you have grafted
roses, cut off growth coming from the base rootstock below the
graft to keep energy into producing roses from the desired top
(scion) of the grafted plant, not the rootstock.

Pruning cuts should be clean and at a 45-degree slant. The
wood should be removed about quater inch above an outside
facing bud. Be sure to cut a cane down to a point where the
cross-section shows no sign of discoloration. Periodically dip
the pruning shears in a disinfectant solution to limit the spread
of disease. Remove battered, diseased, and crossing canes. In
hybrid teas and grandiflora bushes, prune to form a bowl shape
from 3-6 canes with the center cleared out for air circulation.
The old wood is removed to stimulate new growth which will

Harnett Life ~ Summer 2021 Page 31