Tips for Summertime Rose Care

Redlands Daily Facts, Jul 6, 2010 | by Anonymous

Jolene Adams, the California Garden Clubs rose chairman, sends these tips on rose care during the summer:
In summer, water is essential for roses. Hose off bushes once a week in the morning to clean off foliage and knock off obnoxious bugs. As the heat increases, water each bush up to 10 gallons a week.
If you have roses in pots, be sure to check on those pots and keep them moist.
Mulch to retain moisture in the soil and keep the top of the soil from drying out. Spread some organics under the mulch and water them in. They become “comfort food” as they disintegrate.
In midsummer, roses appreciate a nice meal of any kind of fertilizer that has approximately a 10-10-10 rating. Follow directions on the label. Water deeply before feeding roses in the summer; you want the rose well-hydrated first.
If your climate is really hot, deadhead lightly. Just snap off the dead flowers at the top of the stem, leaving as many leaves as possible to make shade for the bush.
Information: 909-793-1016; 909-798-9384; e-mail gardenclub@rhis.org
SOURCE: California Garden Clubs, Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society
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