More about Rose Care
Pruning
January is the month for pruning in San Diego. If you are a transplant from another part of the country like the East or Midwest, what worked there doesn't apply here. We certainly don't have the winters that those places do, so a heavy fall pruning isn't necessary for the roses to survive.
The Basics:
Technique for cutting - put the blade of the pruner next to the part that will remain. Make slightly angled cuts 1/4" above the buds that will generate growth to the outside of the plant
Remove all that is dead, damaged and diseased
Remove spindly growth, old spent canes (at bud union), suckers, foliage and branches that block air and light from the center of the bush
Each rose variety has a slightly different need in pruning. For example: floribundas we would cut out the center branch from each cluster, Tree roses require removal of all of the sprouts growing from the roots or trunk, English roses should only be cleaned of dead wood and leaves for the first two years after planting
Disease Control
Selecting a rose variety that is known as disease-resistant is the way to go, especially if you are organicallyminded. Similarly to shopping for produce, the organic route won't produce the 'best-looking' specimen year-round. There will be a stressed look for the second half of the year. Most roses need some chemical spraying to control fungus, mildew and rust and now is the time to apply it. As licensed applicators, we follow all of the safety procedures & protocol. There are also systemic pesticides that can be added to the soil along with fertilizers, but there are dangers here too. There are environmentally friendlier products we use upon client request. Most pest aren't active yet, so we hold off on pesticide application until later.
January is the month for pruning in San Diego. If you are a transplant from another part of the country like the East or Midwest, what worked there doesn't apply here. We certainly don't have the winters that those places do, so a heavy fall pruning isn't necessary for the roses to survive.
The Basics:
Technique for cutting - put the blade of the pruner next to the part that will remain. Make slightly angled cuts 1/4" above the buds that will generate growth to the outside of the plant
Remove all that is dead, damaged and diseased
Remove spindly growth, old spent canes (at bud union), suckers, foliage and branches that block air and light from the center of the bush
Each rose variety has a slightly different need in pruning. For example: floribundas we would cut out the center branch from each cluster, Tree roses require removal of all of the sprouts growing from the roots or trunk, English roses should only be cleaned of dead wood and leaves for the first two years after planting
Disease Control
Selecting a rose variety that is known as disease-resistant is the way to go, especially if you are organicallyminded. Similarly to shopping for produce, the organic route won't produce the 'best-looking' specimen year-round. There will be a stressed look for the second half of the year. Most roses need some chemical spraying to control fungus, mildew and rust and now is the time to apply it. As licensed applicators, we follow all of the safety procedures & protocol. There are also systemic pesticides that can be added to the soil along with fertilizers, but there are dangers here too. There are environmentally friendlier products we use upon client request. Most pest aren't active yet, so we hold off on pesticide application until later.
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