Rose Tips by Al Karsten
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Even though July is usually hot and dry - we are not privileged to sit back or take a holiday. Remember no group of plants on earth has the loyal and influential following as does the rose.
Spider mites are the big problem in hot weather. As a signal for their damage you will notice the bottom leaves of your rose bushes have a lighter green and "leather like" appearance. Spider mites are very difficult to see with the naked eye. They are microscopic in size. If in doubt remove a few of the bottom leaves and shake them gently on white copier paper or a white envelope. If present you should notice the mites moving on the paper. Under the leaves you will often notice webs the mites have formed. If you do not have a miticide spray, set your gardening hose on high pressure or attach a watering wand to your garden hose. Hold the garden hose under the leaves and spray. Follow this procedure for 3 straight days. Do not spray too late in the afternoon as you want the leaves to dry before dark. Remember to water in the soil around the rose bush in case any of the mites or eggs have fallen. You want to drown them. Repeat this procedure in one week - for 3 straight days. Hopefully, you will have washed off the mites and their eggs. Washing under the leaves should be from the bottom up of the rose bush to the middle of the rose bush. Activity increases or decreases with temperature changes.
During the summer you often notice circular pieces cut from the rose leaf. It is caused by the cutter bee. One way to control the cutter bee is by applying white glue to the cane ends. Neither insecticides nor miticide sprays will help.
It is not necessary to fertilize your roses in July with a granular fertilizer in the soil. It is OK to use the soluble fertilizer (Rapid Gro, etc...) which can be added in with your weekly spray program. Use one tablespoon of the soluble fertilizer to one gallon of water.
Continue to spray roses weekly to avoid blackspot, mildew, etc... However, when the temperature is 85-90 degrees cut back on your application. Example: If the directions say 1 tablespoon to each gallon, use l/2 tablespoon. When the temperature is 90 degrees or more, do not spray. The chemicals will burn the rose leaves. When the temperature falls below 85 degrees continue your spray program as you have been doing the spring. When I mention 85-90 degrees, I am referring to what the weather report reads that particular day - not 85-90 degrees at the time you are going to spray.
Roses should be mulched during the summer to keep moisture in the soil and to keep down weeds. Grass clippings are OK and the price is right!! Grass clippings should be dry before applying to the soil around the rose bush otherwise the clippings take nitrogen from the soil. Remember to water your roses one inch per week.
In August, I will
give you information as to the proper time to fertilize
roses in the soil.
STAY COOL!!
Rose Books from Amazon.com
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