Why does my rose bush only bloom every other year?
It could be that your rosebush has some insect issues that are causing such issues. A stressed rosebush will perform erratically. It could also be that the nitrogen content of the fertilizer being used is too high, which leads to lots of foliage and reduced to no blooms. Some funguses can cause blooming issues as well and so can limited sunshine. Check the roses out well and what is being used to feed and care for them, therein could be the problem.
I have recently purchased my first icebergs and found after 2 days the leaves turning yellow and black. They are constantly wilting (both the leaves and the flowers). I would like to transplant to a bigger pot. Is this now okay to do it as it is in full bloom? thank you
It sounds like you have little choice. The pots the roses are currently in may be too small and the roots are becoming entangled which leads to them not performing well enough to keep the upper part of the rose healthy. Many roses we buy as bud and bloom are in black pots that are either too small or will become too small in a big hurry. Water the roses with some water that has super thrive mixed into the water before transplanting them to the bigger pots (with drainage holes in them) or better yet into the gardens. Then once transplanted water them with some water that has the super thrive and some root stimulator in it. If you notice the roots growing in the shape of the pots, try to lightly pull them out of that shape just before moving them into their new homes.
My newly planted roses lower leaves turn yellow. What's wrong?
Usually there is nothing wrong with the lower leaves turning yellow, as the rosebush will typically shed some lower foliage that it no longer needs. Here is a link to an article I wrote on this topic for you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/yellow-rose-leaves.htm
In my extensive search for a Gloire de Dijon cl rose, I have learned that she is hardiest if grown on grafted stock rather than own roots. My problem, I can't find a source for a grafted rose, so am wanting to send a cutting to someone who grafts roses for others. Can you help me find a source? Thanks, Robin Meyer-Tate
Here is a link to a nursery that used to have the rose you are seeking ; http://www.greenmantlenursery.com/roses2008/roselist2008.htm I am not certain they are still in business but hopefully they are. Also my Rosarian friend named Bill DeVor works for Greenheart Farms and does the grafting of roses for fellow Rosarians. Just tell him that Stan The Rose Man from Colorado sent you to him, here is his email address for you: Bill@greenheartfarms.com . Best of luck to you with your special rose.
I would like to transplant some Austrian Copper rose bushes. Would I be better off moving them now in early spring? I live in Wyoming and it is just starting to warm up.
This is a great time to move them. I am in Colorado and the soils here are workable and thus a great time to move the rosebushes. Water them in once planted with some water that has both a product called Super Thrive and root stimulator mixed into the water, use a new batch of this mix the next four to five times they need watering. It goes a long way to preventing any transplant shock and gets the root system going well.
I live in Southern Missouri. When is the best time to trim roses and what fertilizer should I use? Thanks Mary Ann
Hi Mary Ann. I am in Colorado and I prefer to wait until the middle of May to prune the my roses but the weather sometimes makes them grow enough that I have to prune them back in mid to late April. But that is all I do at such early times as I do not want them to get ideas of going full on into growth mode just yet. Those sneaky late freezes can kill a full on growing rosebush. I like Gro Rich Rose and perennial food but if you cannot get it there, look for an organic rose food or one that is organic based. The organic feeds not only feed the rosebush but also feed and build up the soils home of the rosebush. If you cannot find an organic or organic based rose fertilizer, I would get some alfalfa meal and kelp meal and give a cup of each to the each of the roses at the time you feed them with the fertilizer you can find. That gives them some good organic base to feed the roses and their soils home.
I am going to try spraying my roses with Green Cure mentioned in your 2016 article by Stan V Griep called "Black Spot on Rose Bushes--How to Get Rid of Black Spot on Roses." He mentions neem oil in the article. Is this something he recommends MIXING w Green Cure, alternating, or using only when insects are spotted? I mostly have disease resistant varieties and have tried to get away from spraying but in Kentucky all roses get black spot,,so, I'd like to try less toxic chemicals to avoid having to use the "big guns"!! Thank you. Nancy Maxwell Lexington, Kentucky
Hi Nancy. I am the author of the article you referred to, Stan. I do not recommend mixing the Neem Oil with the Green Cure as it would alter the effectiveness of the Green Cure. I do recommend applying the Green Cure at the Cure Rate listed on the label rather than the prevention rate, as it seems to last longer and keeps the fungal diseases at by far better that way. I have found it to be the very best of Earth Friendly products to keep my roses looking nice. I hope you do as well. Feel free to contact me with any rose growing and care questions here at Gardening Know How. Only use the neem oil if you spot a problem starting.