My first bud of the year (that might actually flower) is Crimson Glory - tiny at the moment. Lots of aphid encrustation on shoots on Moonlight?
---
What do we think about the idea that 'pests' (like aphids) tend to attack weaker plants and that the best way to defend is to make the plants stronger? I do always take bad aphid crusts as a reflection on my apparent poorer husbanding of those roses. Somehow.
Super healthy too, @Marlorena. Actually while you are here, a question for you or anyone else who gets their bare roots in Autumn.
I usually buy bare roots in February and the ones I potted up, like above, plant out around May. This time I got them in December and they are well leafed out and budding. I am itching to get planting some of them out now the temperature is warming up nicely and I’ve prepared their sites. Is it too early, root development-wise to do so, should I hold my horses?
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
@Nollie ..well the golden rule, to check the base for those little white roots showing through... if you cannot see any then it's usually too early unless you are willing to take the risk, as I often do.. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't..
..in your climate I imagine they would be ready earlier, but here even if I pot up in November, it still won't be ready before mid May... I use 4, 5 and 6 litre pots... the 4 litre I prefer as they are ready sooner, usually mid May, sometimes I chance it early May with those... the 6 litre what DA uses, I leave until late May/early June.. depends on those little roots poking through or not... and whether I've kept them in the greenhouse or outside which delays things..
One or two tiny roots showing @Marlorena, but not sure it’s enough - I did wonder, given slower growth over winter. I think you have suitably answered my question, so horses duly held!!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I’m naughty and plant them whenever 🙊 Not best practice though. @Nollie
@Fire The aphids go for the luscious new growth, so I wouldn’t take it as a sign the plant is stressed. With disease that’s certainly true, more stressed = less resistance. Particularly: too dry, too windy, root competition from conifers, etc. Especially if you have a variety touted widely as very disease resistant, yet it’s blighted with black spot for example, something wrong with the conditions that needs addressing.
Last year’s roses coming along nicely, but no buds as yet. The aphids are interesting, I had a lot on my Iceberg, but not on any of the other roses. They completely disappeared over night before I got around to squashing them. I noticed a lot of ladybugs this year, but they are still quite sluggish. So not sure what got rid of the Aphids, but I’m pleased.
Lucky is romping away, it seems to be really vigorous,
Mystery mini shrub, I changed the soil this year and it has a new pot, it seems to appreciate it.
Cecile Brunner, now three years old, not sure how much more growth I want, it is now really covering the fence, I think I will be offering it to my neighbour to carry along his side of the fence.
And Laura Ford, under 12 month old, but seems to like the spot.
I covered all the grafts on my bare rooted new acquisitions as per your advise and snuck in a last minute bare rooted purchase - Ghislaine de Felingonde to grow up the shed. Very excited.
@Mr. Vine Eye quite possible. We have a lot of birds in the garden this year including long tail tits nesting next door, two nesting pairs of robins, and two nesting pairs of blue tits. I love sitting outside an watching their antics.
Can I ask for thoughts on rose replant disease? Does the same problem does not occur when you plant new roses very near established rose. I wish I had known about the wine box trick.
Posts
I usually buy bare roots in February and the ones I potted up, like above, plant out around May. This time I got them in December and they are well leafed out and budding. I am itching to get planting some of them out now the temperature is warming up nicely and I’ve prepared their sites. Is it too early, root development-wise to do so, should I hold my horses?
..well the golden rule, to check the base for those little white roots showing through... if you cannot see any then it's usually too early unless you are willing to take the risk, as I often do.. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't..
..in your climate I imagine they would be ready earlier, but here even if I pot up in November, it still won't be ready before mid May... I use 4, 5 and 6 litre pots... the 4 litre I prefer as they are ready sooner, usually mid May, sometimes I chance it early May with those... the 6 litre what DA uses, I leave until late May/early June.. depends on those little roots poking through or not... and whether I've kept them in the greenhouse or outside which delays things..
Lucky is romping away, it seems to be really vigorous,