Hi -
We moved into our current home two years ago. We did not pay much attention to our roses the first year, and I cut them back to about 4 feet last year ( I was concerned about cutting them too short).

This year, I have planted three new shrub style roses, but am having problems with one of these, as well as the two older rose bushes. The older Roses don't seem to be bushes, as they have about 5 feet of cane, and a few branches that do produce flowers.
two questions:

I have a real problem with black spot on the newer roses. I have purchased fungicide, but one plant is totally denuded of leaves - should I just cut it back?

I would like to reshape the older roses - they are not shrub roses, and produce roses on longer stems. They look gangly, as they have so much cane with no leaves or flowers, and then flowers off the shoots about 5 feet high. Besides cutting off the older canes, can I cut these back dramatically to help them, or should I pull them out and start fresh? I don't know how long they have been here....

Any assistance is appreciated - I am an experienced gardener otherwise, but have not worked with roses before...........

Blessings,

Debbie

 

I think the main issue here is keeping the plant foilage dry. Especially if the plant doesn't get full sun, don't wet the foilage when you water. Roses don't do well in shaded, humid areas. You could cut it back if it's a large plant but you need to correct the underlying problem. Also, I think roses do better with relatively infrequent, heavy watering so the top layer of soil is dry most of the time.

I have never needed to replace a rose bush unless I forgot to water so I would say just prune unless you don't like the style of rose.

 

also i think it would help your "cane" problem if once you cut them back and they begin growing, if you pinch off the ends of branches so that it will "branch out" thus over a period of time making more of a full bush.

 

Thanks for the information. Can I cut them back anytime? How low can I prune?

 

There are some very good rose care articles on the American Rose Society website: http://www.ars.org/

The dead or damaged canes of any rose should be cut back to green wood in late winter or early spring, while plant is dormant. Remove diseased canes when you notice them. Improve air circulation any time by removing canes that grow into the center of the plant. Roses that grow like crazy can be kept within bounds by pruning their tips or entire canes anytime.

 

I recently planted 3 bushes (ranging from small to moderate in size), and am having trouble regulating the watering schedule. I am afraid of overwatering and have in fact been underwatering. The leaves are drying up for a second time already since they've been planted (poor things), and I'm afraid of killing them off. They've got good soil, and a time-released plant food, and a good coating of mulch around them. Yet I can't seem to water them adequately.

Do you have any suggestions as to how often I should water them? They sit in the front of my house facing directly east. They get plenty of sun, but are spared the heat of the afternoon.

Any information or suggestions you can offer will be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!
Honeybane
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Go to the link that twelve people provided - it has some great articles!

Blessings,
Debbie

 

Your climate, soil, and other factors can affect how you water. In general, roses need more water in hot weather than cool. Do not depend on rain for adequate watering. When you water, water deep enough to wet the entire root zone--at least 18" deep. You can dig down to see how deep moisture settled. Typically, if the top two inches of soil is dry around roses, you need to water. To prevent disease, water the soil, not the leaves. Soaker hose or drip irrigation is best. Mulch helps conserve moisture.

 

2 tips:

Deep water at the roots. I just set my hose down, no nozzle, at the base of the plant and turn the water on very lightly. Like mentioned, keep the water off the leaves...what your roses want is moist roots, not moist leaves.

Second, 5 gallons of water a week per plant. I usually water mine every other day (provided no rain has fallen) and do about a gallon and a half a time. Remember, water the ROOTS!

 

We've been blessed with some rain in the past few days, but when it wasn't raining, it was HOT. I left the hose on a slow trickle and put the "un-nossled" end at the base of each plant for no less than 30 minutes. I've done this about every 2 days. And, at the advice of a gardening friend, I poked a tiny hole into the bottom of 3 gallon milk jugs, filled them with water, and set them behind the plants. They are happy happy now. I have 3 open blossoms on the Jack Frost plant, and a number of buds just waiting to burst open on the red climber.. (can't remember the name.)

I have done lots of reading about watering roses. I never knew they required so much. I appreciate all your help and guidance! I think the plants will be much happier with me now.

Thanks again!!
Honeybane