SUMMER CARE FOR YOUR ROSES

 To keep our roses happy during the summer months, here are some things we ought to do.

Mulching - Rosebeds with 2" or 3" of mulch do not need as much water as the beds without mulch.  There are all kinds of material we can use as mulch - pine bark nuggets, pine needles, hay, shredded oak leaves, seaweeds, cedar mulch or cocoa mulch.  The rose beds look much better with mulch and the mulch also helps the roses retains moisture, keep the roots cool and aid in the prevention of weeds.  I don't recommend cocoa mulch if you have a dog.  They smell great and dogs love it but it is not good for them.  One report said that a dog died because the dog ate so much cocoa mulch.  You know chocolate is bad for dogs and chocolate comes from cocoa beans. 

Watering - Roses needs at least 2" of water every week especially during the hot dry summer days.  So when the rain stops, water them deeply.  I run the soaker hose for 2 hours at a time.

Spraying - Continue the spray program every 7-10 days until the temperature hit the 90's.  Spray early in the morning or early evening.  I use Messenger and Pyola, both organic spray.

One question that some rosarians ask this time of year is why the roses' leaves are turning yellow.  This chlorotic condition of the leaves is caused by various factors.

Roses love slightly acidic soil with pH between 5.5 and 6.5.  In high alkaline soil around 7.0 - 7.5, roses leaves tend to develop chlorosis.  The leaves turn yellow but the veins remain green.  The presence of chalk prevents the assimilation of iron which is needed for the synthesis of the chlorophyll.  Apply chelated iron once a month when watering your roses.  Some rosarians dig a trench around the leaf line of the plant and give it some new acidic soil.

The yellowing of the leaves coupled with stunted growth and small leaf size and small flowers can be nitrogen deficiency.  The mulch that you put in your beds to control weeds can also deprive your roses of nitrogen.  To offset this condition, give your rose bushes a cupful dose of Epsom salt in Spring and again in the Fall.

Roses do not like wet feet and their roots will rot, leaves will turn yellow and eventually die.  Good drainage is very important in choosing location.

Compacted soil around your rose bushes can also cause the leaves to turn yellow.  It's always a good idea to loosen the soil every so often to get some oxygen into the soil.  In this aspect, remember to plant your roses where you can take care of them without trampling all over the place to reach them.

Another most common cause of the yellowing of rose leaves is the normal aging of the plant.  They use up all their energy so the leaves turn yellow and fall off.  They then develop a whole new set of leaves.  In this case, there is nothing to worry about.

To learn more about growing roses, join the American Rose Society - www.ars.org.

Copyright © 2009.  By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".  All rights reserved.. *SUMMER CARE FOR YOUR ROSES*  

If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". 

Ph - 516-385-0584

Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com

Website - www.rosalindamorgan.com