Re: Summer roses
> Schmiege wrote:
>
> Subject: Summer roses.
>
> Roses do well in Greece. My problem is one of my rose bushes is so
> tall maybe 9 or 10 feet that I can't dead head it. It is about 15
> years old and maybe a hybrid tea. I'd like to cut it back to
> reachable size. Should that be done now? It has blooms on off and on
> all Summer but not a major flush after its Spring bloom. Since my
> trees have grown my roses now only get morning sun. Also when should
> roses be fertilized?
The tallness of your roses and the shade from your trees are probably
connected. I remember one garden in which I once pruned professionally
where the roses grow unnaturally tall trying to reach the sun. If you
cut them back hard they are likely to put on just as much growth the
following season unless you can somehow get them more light.
If you do attempt hard pruning it is only safe to do this over winter
when the bushes are dormant.
It is usual to fertilize roses twice a year, once in early spring just a
new growth starts and once around midsummer to encourage good autumn
blooming.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
