2019 Spring Newsletter No Images? Click here Spring is an exciting time of year! Watching the roses burst to life after winter is oddly satisfying and brings us so much joy when those first blooms appear.During spring, the most important task, other than enjoying the beautiful spring growth, is water. Below we break down some watering information and give some tips for those in drought and dry conditions.Pre-orders are now open for the 2020 bare root rose season. If you missed out on specific varieties this past winter, now is your time to secure them for next year.Remember, we are available year round to answer your rose questions and help with any rose issues. Feel free to contact our friendly staff by phone or email for assistance.In this newsletter...● Our Most Popular Roses For 2019● Rose Farm Tours - Jump on the Bloomin' Bus● Spring Rose CareOUR MOST POPULAR ROSES FOR 2019:We are excited to announce that we are running farm tours. This is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes on a guided farm tour of Australia’s Largest Rose Production Nursery. Come and see where your plants began their life and enjoy the sights of hundreds of thousands of roses.GARDEN CARE PRODUCTSWe have an excellent range of garden and rose care products that can be purchased year round.All products are eco-friendly are those we use and trust!SPRING ROSE CARE:Water is one of the most important elements for encouraging strong growth and quality blooms. With roses producing a significant amount of growth during spring it is essential they are given enough water during this season to thrive.If you are finding that your roses are not producing vigorous growth, are producing only foliage from the base, spindly growth or have produced a flower with a short stem without significant foliage, it is likely your roses need more water.For roses planted in the ground, providing adequate water during spring will also help them during the dry, summer heat. By providing your roses with a deep soaking 2-3 times a week, the roots will be encouraged to grow down into the soil where they will be better insulated during extreme temperatures. Light, frequent watering encourage roots to grow along the top layer of soil which is not ideal.Remember: water 2-3 times a week. The frequency will depend on your climatic conditions and soil composition. If it is dry, hot and/or your soil is sandy, water 3 times a week. If it is cool and wet, twice a week is enough.An easy method to ensure your roses are receiving enough water:1. Get a bucket that holds approximately 9L of water and puncture 3 or 4 small holes in the base.2. Fill the bucket with plain water and place directly next to the plant, move aside any mulch before placing down the bucket.3. Allow the water to completely drain from the bucket. This gives the plant a good deep soaking.4. Do this twice to three times a week. (increase to three as the weather gets hotter)For roses planted in pots, they will need more frequent watering as the potting mix will dry quicker. Water every day or second day depending on the climatic conditions. The aim is to not allow the potting mix to dry out, it should be moist, but not soaking wet at all times.TIPS FOR DROUGHT AND VERY DRY AREAS:1. Use grey water! Grey water is safe for use on roses.2. Install a dripper system. This is one of the most efficient and effective methods of watering roses as it provides the water directly to the roots without run off. Ideally, install a timer or control system. DO NOT use soaker hoses as these will not water your roses.3. Mulch. A good layer of mulch will help your soil retain moist.4. Do not let the soil dry out. Soil will become hydrophobic if left to dry completely, this means that it will not absorb the moisture you apply, and your roses will not get watered.5. Use Eco-Hydrate, a unique water saving product. Plants need up to 50% less watering and are better able to cope with drought stress. It also encourages water penetration in hydrophobic soil.
FERTILISE:For most areas in Australia, your roses will be ready for their first application of fertiliser. Apply your first application once your roses have put on a significant amount of growth or begin flowering. Always follow directions on the packet. If using Sudden Impact by Neutrog, one application in spring is enough.Things to remember with fertiliser:·● Do not fertilise newly planted roses until they have produced significant growth.● If your rose is looking ‘sick’, showing leaf discolouration, etc., fertiliser is not the answer. It is likely something else causing the issue.● Be careful not to over fertilise. Too much fertiliser can cause root burn which can result in burning to the foliage, die back, etc. In some cases, too many nutrients can also cause excessive growth and minimal flower production in roses.● Always apply fertilizer to moist ground and then water in to activate.SUDDEN IMPACT FOR ROSESA highly recommended rose food that is ideal for all flowering plants - not just your roses!
SPRAYING:Prevention is better than a cure!Regular spraying before any signs of disease or pests occur will decrease the chance of these becoming present on your plants. It is much easier trying to prevent the onset of diseases or pests rather than trying to remove the issue from your roses.As always, we recommend using eco-friendly or organic products. There are some fantastic organic products on the market these days and many effective home remedies. By keeping to the eco-friendly spray options, we avoid damaging the natural ecosystem in the garden and prevent further issues appearing.Remember, when spraying, coat the underside of the leaves as well. Trying spraying at least every two weeks for best results – every week for eco-friendly products. Start spraying once your roses begin producing new leaves in spring.SPRING PESTS - APHIDS & THRIP:It is the time of year that these little guys start visiting our roses. Both are tiny sap sucking insects that can appear almost over night and can cause a number of issues in your roses if left untreated. We have found that eco-oil or eco-neem are highly effective sprays for treating both.Aphids: are small green, brown or white sap sucking insects which are approximately 2.5mm long, depending on their growth stage. They appear in clusters and can be winged or wingless. Aphids infest the soft tips of new growth, leaves and flower buds and can cause deformed flowers, the wilting of shoots and may even defoliate the plant if left untreated.Thrip: are a tiny insect around 2mm long, they vary in colour from yellow to black and come into your garden on the wind. Thrip feed by draining the contents of plant cells, this will cause white specks or trails on new leaves and scarring on petals which are often seen as brown blemishes on light coloured blooms. Most people notice the effects on pale coloured flowers first leaving blooms with brown edges which is often mistaken for water rot. If left, they can be quite destructive and often cause deformities in new growth.DEAD HEADING:Dead heading is the process of removing spent flowers. Old flowers left on the bush will begin to turn into hips and seeds, taking up most of the plant’s energy. The removal of spent flowers encourages more blooms to grow, maximising flower production. Snap or cut off the flower where the first leaflets are found.Need more information on rose care? Our website is packed full of helpful rose care information and tips.We are available all year to answer your rose questions and assist with your rose issues. Contact our friendly staff by phone or email to chat with us.
Happy Gardening,Ellie Matuschka |