Page 37 - Robeson Living Summer 2021
P. 37

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

                                                                                                                Page 37
   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42