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Spring & Early Summer - Northern California
Keep Them Clean!
Remove any diseased foliage from on or under rose plants. Hand pick any leaves that show indication of the fungus diseases rust or black spot. Keep the surface of the soil under rose plants clean and raked up to prevent the spread of fungus diseases. Do not compost diseased leaves.
Mid-Season Pruning
Lightly go over your rose plants with sharp, clean pruning shears to improve air circulation and to shape plants. Remove any stems or branches that cross through the center of the plant. Cut down tall stems to retain overall shape and remove any sign of fireblight. Clean shears after pruning with a bleach solution to prevent the spread of disease.
Controlling Rose Beetles
Apply neem oil early in the morning for control of rose beetles. Beetles spread disease and should be controlled. Encouraging birds into your garden is another excellent way to keep beetles under control.
Check Container-Grown Roses
Make sure the drainage holes are not blocked on roses growing in containers. Roots will rot if left standing in water. Turn pots on their sides and use a screwdriver or thin bladed knife to free the drain hole from protruding roots or debris.
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Resources
Web Site
Help Me Find Roses:
The Help Me Find Roses Web site offers an extensive search engine for rose varieties. It includes information on the variety's breeding line, bloom form, fragrance, and hardiness zones. You also can search for sources of a variety, public rose gardens, and rose societies in your area. Wow!
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Share Ideas With Fellow Rose Lovers:
Wondering if anyone shares your passion for a particular type of rose? Visit the iVillage GardenWeb rose forum to find out! And you might even expand your palette.
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