Rose Gardening World

Saturday, April 14, 2012

ROSE GARDENING TIPS - EPSOM SALTS

Epsom Salts or Magnesium sulfate is an important part of the rose diet. It is an essential element for plant growth and since its availability is limited in our soils, we have to supplement it. Without magnesium in the soil, the plant roots can’t take up available calcium and potassium. It is absorbed by the root hairs and located for the most part in the leaves. Magnesium is a photosynthetic pigment which causes water and carbon dioxide to react in the presence of sunlight to form starch, followed by many other nutrient building reactions. It keeps the nitrogen in the lower leaves and forms the chlorophyll molecule, the most important molecule in the formation and development of plant life.

I usually apply 1 cupful on big roses and ½ cup on minis twice a year, one application in the spring and another one in the fall. This will help keep green foliage on your roses and encourage new basal breaks. You can also use Epsom Salts on all your other garden plants.

Roses are easy plants to grow contrary to popular belief. Why do you think Roses have been around for millions of years? All they need are food, water and sunlight. Just like you and me.

Here at Rose Gardening World, we’ll educate you about the Rose - our National Floral Emblem and the state flower of several states. Welcome to the World of Rose Gardening or Rose Gardening World where Rose Gardening Tips, Rose Growing Advice, Planting a Rose Garden, Rose Descriptions, Where to Buy Roses, Where to see Rose Gardens, Rose Culture, Rose History, Rose Events, Rose Verses are all here in one place. So, plant a rose today!

We are constantly updating our contents so visit Rose Gardening World often. We want to help you grow Beautiful Roses and we welcome comments. Take time and smell the roses. Happy Rose Gardening!

Check my other blogs:

Visit my website
Join a rose society

Monday, April 9, 2012

LOUISIANA ROSE GARDENS

Louisiana is home to the Gardens of the American Rose Center at the headquarters of the American Rose Society where The Rose reigns supreme. So if you are in Louisiana, go and see some of the gardens listed below where you can see some beautiful roses.

The Gardens of the American Rose Center

Headquarters of the American Rose Society

8877 Jefferson Paige Road

West Shreveport, LA 71119

Ph. 318-938-5402

www.ars.org

Hodges Gardens

1000 Hodges Loop

Florien, LA 71429

Ph. 800-354-3523 or 318-586-4020

http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ihodges.aspx

Longue Vue House and Gardens

7 Bamboo Road

New Orleans, LA 70124

Ph. 504-488-5488

http://www.longuevue.com/

Louisiana State University

Burden Research Plantation

4560 Essen Lane

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Ph. 504-763-3990

www.lsuagcenter.com/burden/

Mount Hope Plantation

8151 Highland Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4952

Ph. 225-761-7000

http://www.lakehousereceptioncenter.net/

New Orleans Botanical Garden

City Park

1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124-4608

Ph. 504-482-4888

http://www.neworleanscitypark.com.nobg.html

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site

12501 Highway 10

St. Francisville, LA 70775

Ph. 225-635-3332

http://www.crt.state.la.us./parks/irosedown.aspx

Visit my website
Join a rose society

Sunday, April 8, 2012

BASIC ROSE CARE IN APRIL IN THE NORTHEAST – SPRAYING

Spring is here and with the warm weather comes the spring flowers painting the landscape with glorious colors. Insects and diseases also come marching in the garden. Birds start chirping again in the backyards and then our gardening tasks begin in full force.

After you have done with your spring pruning, start your spray program. It is better to prevent insects and diseases with preventive measures. Start now with lime sulfur dormant spray on surface of beds and on pruned bushes. Follow with Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer every three weeks. Then follow that with Messenger which some stores still carry. Our area is blackspot country so we have to control it. I find Messenger is great to control blackspot. Unhappily, they are out of business but there are still some leftover0s at some stores. If you have not used Messenger before, I urge you to try it. You’ll see a big difference in your roses and all plants for that matter.

If you are not averse to chemical spraying, you can use Banner Max with Compass or Manzate. You can buy them at www.rosemania.com. Make sure you read the label and follow instructions and use protective gear. Keep a wall calendar on the shelf with the chemicals so you can keep track of when and what spray you use. Only use insecticide when you see the insects. Aphids can be controlled by powerful spray of water. Another alternative is the use of ladybugs to patrol your garden. For Japanese beetles, I control them by killing the grubs on my lawn. I use beneficial nematodes from www.GardensAlive.com. It comes in a sponge with 10 millions of them. I never count them. You soak them in water and spray on the lawn, once in spring and then again in the Fall.

Roses are easy plants to grow contrary to popular belief. Why do you think Roses have been around for millions of years? All they need are food, water and sunlight. Just like you and me.

Here at Rose Gardening World, we’ll educate you about the Rose - our National Floral Emblem and the state flower of several states. Welcome to the World of Rose Gardening or Rose Gardening World where Rose Gardening Tips, Rose Growing Advice, Planting a Rose Garden, Rose Descriptions, Where to Buy Roses, Where to see Rose Gardens, Rose Culture, Rose History, Rose Events, Rose Verses are all here in one place. So, plant a rose today!

We are constantly updating our contents so visit Rose Gardening World often. We want to help you grow Beautiful Roses and we welcome comments. Take time and smell the roses. Happy Rose Gardening!

Check my other blogs:

Visit my website

Join a rose society

Friday, April 6, 2012

BASIC ROSE CARE IN APRIL IN THE NORTHEAST - PRUNING

Now that the forsythia is blooming, the daunting chore of pruning is at hand. Here is a quick primer on pruning to get you into gear for the season:

· You need a good pair of bypass pruner. Make sure it is clean and sharp. Most rosarians prefer Felco 2 or 6.

· Remember to cut till you see healthy pith in the center of the cane. Cut out all diseased, damaged and dead wood, down to the white pith. If you see brown, cut further down.

· Cut all very thin stems, smaller than a pencil and any canes crisscrossing each other. Try to keep the center open for air circulation. Remove all suckers.

· For canes that are too big, use a pruning saw.

· Cut diagonally about ¼ inch to an open space, not necessarily from the outward facing bud. If left longer, the cane will die back and if closer the new growth may break off.

· Remove all blind shoots. These are stems that taper down to almost nothing.

· Remove short growths that are only a few inches long that have hardened off and taper down to a point. They will not flower.

· Seal all cuts with Elmer’s Glue.

· To get bigger blooms, cut low except for Queen Elizabeth.

· Remove all leaves and clean the garden of old, diseased leaves. They are the depository of blackspot spores and mildew.

· Get rid of all the cuttings into the trash bin. Do no put them in the compost pile.