Growing roses is fun and rewarding but there are just a few requirements to be aware of in order to get the best out of your roses. Roses are mostly dormant over the winter period then start to shoot again towards the end of winter and the beginning of spring and later for cooler areas.
September, October, November
The roses have started to shoot and will need a feed. Weed and clean up the garden beds and top up mulch as required. Spray the ground and roses with Lime Sulphur to prevent black spot. We suggest feeding with blood and bone dug in and around the roses. A couple of weeks later Sulphate of Potash to promote blooms and firm up the new growth. Watch out for aphids and thrips in paler roses. Spraying with Pyrethrum will help decrease numbers. Planting out little perennials will attract the ladybirds who feast on the aphids. A routine Ph test is advisable to ensure the right amount of fertiliser is given. The preferred Ph level for rose cultivation is between 6.5 and 7.00. Mulch garden beds with straw, horse manure or cow and wood chips not pine chips.
December, January, February
Light pruning and deadheading is required to keep roses blooming. Another feed with Sulphate of potash or specialist rose food that contains the minerals that roses need. Spraying for aphids with organic or chemical sprays is beneficial. Watch for Black Spot and Powdery Mildew and spray with mancozeb or triforine. Good garden maintenance by way of removing fallen leaves assists with black spot problems. A top up of mulch can assist with keeping roots cool and keep roses from falling apart.
March, April, May
Autumn is a time to watch for Black Spot and Powdery Mildew. A good weed and clean up of fallen leaves assists with disease. Dead head and prune roses lightly to promote blooming. Feeding early in Autumn will assist with the last flush of blooms. Also pruning back other plants to allow air flow is good for prevention of black spot.
June, July, August
Prune rose stems to pencil thickness and prune other varieties as needed. Do not prune roses hard in their first two years of life unless needed. Some smaller growing roses such as Julia's Rose only require a light pruning each year. For once flowering varieties and Spring only blooming varieties prune after flowering only. After pruning it is advisable to spray your roses and the surrounding areas with Lime Sulphur as this will assist with combating the Black Spot spores and any scale on the rose stems. After pruning is a good time to relocate roses .
Please note that spraying and handling chemicals can be dangerous. Please follow the instructions given carefully and always wear disposable gloves and a filter air breathing device. It is very important to use separate spray bottles for roses to prevent the mixing up of chemicals with weed killer.