RE: roses
- To: "'m*@ucdavis.edu'"
- Subject: RE: roses
- From: R* B*
- Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2001 12:28:45 -0800
Barbara,
How old is the rosebush? Is it an Austin rose? Have you observed normal
leaf size before? Clair Martin, in his book about Austin roses says that
Heritage is a hard one to grow because of fungus problems and small leaf
output. I have been experimenting with fungus remedies on my roses (I have
about 100 plants, Austins, old roses, species, and hybrid teas). I have
found that if I plant an understory of low to medium height lavenders,
sages, coreopsis, geraniums and the like, I have kept rust and blackspot
away. I also like tall roses, so I prune from the bottom instead of just
shearing the top to make room for the understory. Remember to keep the
center of the plant open for air circulation. If I could make a list of my
unsuccessful roses, Austins would be at the top. They smell so pretty, but
sometimes they just die.
Off topic----this is the first time I have posted to the group; I have
greatly enjoyed the stories, photos, plant culture information and travel
musings. I am a new docent at the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley, and
this list was recommended by a professor who gave a lecture to the docents.
I hope to be able to contribute more in the future!
Ronni Brega
from Oakland, adjacent to the Redwood Forest
-----Original Message-----
Well--it's rose pruning time again and I've done all of mine. But in doing
so, I remembered a problem with my Heritage last year. It had miniscule
leaves despite my pruning, laying down comppost, feeding with alfalfa meal,
bone meal, blood meal, magnesium sulfate (the crystals you can get at the
pharmacy) fish emulsion--all the good stuff. The flowers were fine but
those leaves! Definitely something wrong. Also, it had every disease in the
book: rust, black spot - well only those two.
Any thoughts?
Barbara - in Berkeley
