Q.Zepherine Drouhin Climbing Rose Care In 9B
I’m desperately trying to grow this genus. I have had it planted for two years going into the third and yet to see a rose bud. The canes are growing and I became overjoyed when this previous Spring she sprouted a lush leafing, I knew I’d see roses, but no. Now she’s been blighted with black leaf. Should I transplant her after pruning from a container to the Earth?
ZD is susceptible to black spot. Counter measures to consider: Such a heavily blighted black spot diseased plant is going to be very stressed, may lose all/most foliage and may not produce flowers or may produce fewer. Attempt to reduce the humid environmental conditions that promote germination of black spot. Try opening the rose for better air movement and more sunlight (move the pot?) as these steps will not be beneficial for spore germination. Never water the leaves; only water the soil. Begin a fungicide spray program early; spray the plant as soon as brand new leaves first start to form in late winter or spring. Repeat as recommended in the instructions. Consider spraying with a propaconizole-based fungicide (commercial names Banner Maxx, Honor Guard, Fertilome Systemic Fungicide, etc.) about every 2 weeks in unison with a potassium bicarbonate-based fungicide called Greencure every three weeks for several years until there is some degree of control. Since you do not have a dormant season per se, consider continuing the fungicide applications in winter (maybe only temporarily stop around in late Jan-Feb if there is no active growth then). Pick up/discard infected leaves immediately, as opposed to letting them drop and then picking them up. Replace the spore laden, old mulch with new mulch. You can either move the pot or transplanting into the garden if the new location will improve airflow and increase direct sunlight. If transplanting into the garden, ensure the plant has fortuneana rootstock. Assume the spores are almost everywhere.
