Roses
lydiaann
Posts: 300
We moved into our bungalow (East Midlands) exactly 3 years ago. I have since increased the garden space to include (over and above the 2 borders that were already there) an ornamental, a herb, a fruit and a veg patch. Another small perennial border has been added recently plus the planting of ramblers and honeysuckle over a pergola. When we came here, it was obvious that the couple before us had enjoyed a neat 'garden' but didn't know anything about pruning; consequently, I've had quite the job with the ribes, physocarpus, buddleja, spirea, 4 clematis and 2 hebes but have managed to lick them into shape such that they all did exactly what they should this year! Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the 2 roses. They are still extremely leggy, despite my best efforts, and so blighted with black spot it's not funny. I do everything I should: nip off the leaves immediately one spot appears, clear the soil, spray, etc. However, vacations mean I come back to plants covered in it...and it's on the stems too. Despite the fact that they are yellow - my absolute favourite rose - should I cut my losses and take them out? I need to move my fuchsia magellanica anyway, and this would be the perfect place. He-e-e-lp!!
Posts
They say roses grow in any type of soil, but i found unless it has some good
foundation to it roses will be leggy and prone to diseases, you have been right up to know removing the black spot leaves as they appear but the problem is did the previous owner do the same if leaves where left to fall on the soil and rot in you have found the problem could be the cause, i would waite now the season is nearly apon us when our gardens are prepared for winter then you be wise to takle the problem.
Prune your roses back hard remove all removed matter and incinerate do not compost it, then remove the contaminated soil if possible and replace with a quality topsoil with a good mixture of well rotted manure from local stables or a farmer
dig in well then after a few weeks just lightly turn it over , come spring all you need to add to the soil is top rose or something similar as per instruction rake it in i think you will find far healthier roses.
Good luck and keep smiling
After a disease free first season for my new roses bed I've all of a sudden found yellowing leaves and black spot. It it just time of year as seasons almost over or do you think it's the wet august? They are in a sheltered sunny spot, half wall behind, so I could believe they've been warm despite the cooler than av weather and with the wet fungus has thrived.
it's hard to get to the bad leaves as plants are so leafy. Wondering whether just to do what I can and then spray, or strip all leaves even good ones around the infected areas as they'll be losing their leaves soon anyway, or just leave it as season almost over (but then worry about spores in soil).
any advice appreciated. Sorry for hijacking thread lydiaann but thinking we need similar advice!
Thanks, Chris. I've had this serious problem since we moved in...I believe, once again, the previous owners 'kept them tidy' but did not know the correct treatment. I now have a herb border around these roses (doing extremely well, I might add!) and a wonderful new 'Wesselton' clematis - which flowered the minute it was put in in May and has galloped ahead with really good strong healthy growth since! - in between the 2 roses so am not inclined to start digging out soil as it would also mean moving my rosemary, sage and oregano. I'll mull on the problem for a couple of days and decide then. Thanks again for the advice!
And no worries, Supernoodle, 'hijacking' makes perfect sense when we need to!
I give this advice on a regime regularly, it works for me and my customers and is based on a common sense approach to the behaviour of fungal spores which persist in the soil.
Remove all the foliage from the rose and any detritus on the ground surrounding the rose. Spray the whole plant with Rose Clear, stems and flowers. Then spray the ground around the rose. Leave for a day to let the spray do it's work as you have a bad infestation, then feed and mulch with well rotted manure.It will look dreadful but it's worth it in the long run.
Wait till spring then cut the rose back hard and spray in the same manner again including the ground. Feed and mulch again.
Winter rain will stir up fungal spores laying dormant in the soil, so spraying is vital in early spring.
Ensure good ventilation around the rose as this helps stop the spores gathering in one place.
Thanks Dave. Will have to wait til weekend, but will do as you say.
My philosophy is that life is too short to spend on cossetting plants. Plants that enjoy the conditions in your garden will thrive with little attention. I would dig out the roses and replace with more clematis and/or honeysuckle. Buy some more disease resistant ones and plant in a different spot.
I only put them in last winter hogweed! They've been brilliant this summer and brought me much joy. Half hour of work towards the end of the summer isn't going to put me off.
In general I agree with the philosophy though. As a busy working mum I have to choose what I spend my time on.
Oh, think Hogweed was talking to Lydiaann, rather than me as the naughty highjacker. Queue, embarrassed face.