Re: rose climbing into a tree?
susannah@cyber-dyne.com wrote:
>
> I'm considering training a large climbing rose (red multiflora-type,
> unknown variety) into a Liquidamber tree. Since it looks like once it
> grows into the tree I'd have a hard time removing it, I figured I'd better
> ask if anyone has regretted doing this. I'm hoping it will be a solution
> to the Rose Problem I inherited when I bought this house... this giant old
> rose is growing at the base of a foundation block, where it would be
> impractical to try and dig it out, but the tree shades it to a point that
> it's infested with scale, aphids, powdery mildew, and, of course, the
> ever-present black spot. My theory is that, maybe by growing it into the
> south side of the tree, it will get enough sun to be healthier. I would
> love any advice you all care to share.
> TIA,
Well Susannah
I think you might end up with a better rose but almost certainly a
poorer tree. Trees which are asked to accept a large climber rarely
thrive and may in time actually die if the rose is particularly
vigorous, though they usually continue to serve as a support.
I am sure you are right that the shading is at least partly responsible
for your rose's troubles. However, if the plant is an old one it may
well by now growing in a rather depleted soil, which may be at least
partly responsible for its tale of woes. Sometimes also just being old
will lead to more pest and disease problems.
Did you know, by the way, that three of your rose's problems could be
neatly dealt with using a single treatment. Spraying the foliage and
stems with a light summer oil will smother aphids and scale and usually
also discourage mildew, though not- as far as I know - black spot.
One of the helpful thing about many such roses is the ease with which
they grow from cuttings of firm, but not old, wood taken in winter.
Perhaps you could take some and try to root them before doing anything
else.
If you are successful you will then have a nice vigorous young plant
which you could transfer to a more suitable area, well enriched with
compost, and hopefully leave most of the troubles behind..
The old plant could then be cut down and either poisoned with Roundup,
or if you prefer to avoid this rather nasty chemical, I have been told
that surrounding the stump with a temporary wall, covering it over
with over with a thick layer of paper or cardboard and topping this with
a good dollop of compost will soon rot it away.
Moira
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
