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Rose Care

Pruning
Pruning involves removing any damaged, diseased or dead wood of a rose bush to i
mprove the appearance, stimulate growth and control pests and diseases. Improper
/heavy pruning can affect blooming. The how and when of pruning roses is determi
ned by the type of rose. Here we are given few basic steps to prune your rose pl
ant.
Plants are ready to be pruned, when the bush becomes leafless or with a few leav
es during the dormant season. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears and remember o
ne thing to cut approximately 1 cm above an outward facing bud. Remove all old,
damaged and diseased canes. Take out stems that cross through the centre and th
in out the center of the plant. Where canes cross and rub against each other pru
ne out the less healthy cane. Shorten the remaining healthy growth by 1/3rd of i
ts length. Final cuts help to determine the shape of the plant. After pruning cl
ean up the debris and apply a dormant spray to check insects and diseases.
Fertilization
Although some roses may flourish without fertilization, they need nutrients for
peak performance. So it is usually necessary to apply fertilizer. The three basi
c nutrients for health growth of any plant Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium
is needed in balanced applications. Do not fertilize newly planted roses until a
fter the first bloom. If you want to avoid using chemical fertilizers, you can t
ry these organic alternatives: alfalfa, bone meal, compost, fish emulsion, manur
e, seaweed or soybean meal. You must follow the application and dosage instructi
ons on the package carefully. Two types of fertilizers are available dry and liq
uid form. Of all fertilizers, dry fertilizers are the most widely used one. Appl
y fertilizer when you see new growth. Fertilize a second time when the first flo
wer buds set in. Apply a final fertilizer after two months.
Watering
The amount and frequency of application will depend on soil type, bush size, and
the rainfall in your area. When watering roses, be sure to soak the soil well;
they need more than just light sprays of water. If you live in a dusty area, yo
u will do you plants a great favour by washing off their leaves every week or so
. This will also wash away some insect pests. Some other tips include watering i
n the morning, avoid letting the water come into contact with the leaves and blo
oms, and providing mulch so that the soil retains its moisture. The use of mulch
around roses help to retain soil moisture and help retard weed growth. A mulch
is any material such as wood chips, straw, or dry grass clippings. Decorative m
aterials such as shredded hardwood bark or cocoa bean hulls or coconut husks cou
ld also be used. When applying any mulch don't pile up on the base of the canes,
spread it around, about an inch of the base and should be applied about 2-3 inc
hes deep and replaced as needed.
Diseases and Pest Control
Insects and foliage diseases may afflict your roses. There are three diseases th
at can afflict your roses. Black-spot, Powdery and Rust. For black spot you shou
ld thoroughly clean up debris at pruning time, then apply a dormant spray. Resis
tance varies from one rose variety to the next for powdery mildew. Garden sanita
tion is best for rust and can be controlled with foliage sprays. Pests can also
cause problems for your roses. Aphids, Thrips, Beetles, Borers, Rose midge, cat
erpillars and worms, Mites are some of the more troublesome rose insects. Natura
l enemies like lady bugs help keep aphids in check. They effect growth and can d
eform leaves. Hand picking is the safest control for Beetles, Caterpillars and w
orms and Borers. To control mites spraying water is the simplest remedial measur
e. Use a nozzle that produces fine spray, thoroughly wash off the undersides of
the leaves. Repeat this method at least three times. Thrips deform flower petals
. To control thrips use chemical spray plants always from above, making certain
to cover all flowers and opening buds.
Control is easy and prevention is practical with the regular use of chemicals, t
hat controls most fungus diseases and chewing and sucking insects. Regular dusti
ng every week or every 10 days will make the disease-insect problem easy to hand
le.

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