Long-Lasting Arrangements
The rose is far and away America's favorite flower. We spend more money and time on the cultivation of this particular plant than most others combined. There are those who enjoy their roses on the bush and those who would bring them into their homes as cut flowers. The following information is for the latter category of gardeners. If you like to display your roses, here are some tips for getting the most from your efforts. When to Cut Roses should be cut early in the morning before the dew has dried from the leaves. In the dry summer months, that means getting up before the chickens. By cutting early in the day, the flowers are full of moisture after having had all night to pull water up from the roots. If you cut in the afternoon, the flowers will have lost most of their moisture through transpiration. If you want your cut roses to last a long time, cut them early in the day.  read more
Managing Common Rose Diseases Growing roses in the western mountains and high plains is often a challenge for the newcomer, but with the right roses (take a look at our recommendations for your area: Regions Choice), proper soil preparation, site placement, and common-sense care techniques, roses will thrive with vigorous green foliage and an abundance of blooms. To protect your rose garden from a severe outbreak of some of the most common diseases, follow some sensible growing practices.  Powdery Mildew The first sign of powdery mildew, one of the most common rose diseases, is a white, powdery substance on the surface of the leaves. Infected leaves turn purplish and curl upwards, and flower buds die without opening. The disease spores are spread by wind and are especially common during hot summer days and cool nights. To control powdery mildew, space rose bushes far enough apart to allow for good air circulation. Avoid drought stress by watering plants and mulching with shredded cedar. Black Leaf Spot If tiny black spots appear on the leaves in early to late summer, followed by fringed margins on the leaves, you are likely to have an infection of black leaf spot disease. Infected leaves eventually turn yellow and fall to the ground. Remove fallen leaves to reduce the spread of the disease to new leaf growth. Applying water at ground level so the foliage stays as dry as possible will help reduce the outbreak of blackspot.   read more  back to Regional Gardening Guide