Shown here magnified 1000 times is the critter that is the number one pest of roses this time of year.  It is a safe bet that if you have roses you have spider mites on them.  In large numbers they can decimate and kill a rose bush and large population growth is easy when you can go from egg to a reproducing adult in less than a week  When infected the rose leafs look anemic on the topside and dirty on the underside.  Some individuals use a strong spray of water under the leafs once a week to rid themselves of the mites but since the mite can travel in the breeze you must be vigilant to keep them in check. Most pesticide alone are not effective on the mites and some like imidocloprid actually may help them to thrive. I use a two step process to keep them under control and I will be happy to explain it to you if you come by Roses inc.

 

The rose garden in the photo above belonging to Maggie Gilliland was a long time coming and one of the most perplexing of my time as a Rosarian.  When I first saw the garden the roses looked very sick.  I thought that maybe they did not get enough light but that idea was wrong.  I dug into the soil and found it to be very wet to the point of being soured and suggested that the garden be drained to remove the run off from the roof.  It seems that at one time a drain existed in the garden but over time it had stopped up with debris and was no longer functioning.  I was sure this would cure the ills of the garden.  The Gillilands had the drain dug up and repaired and I thought with just a little recovery time the roses would began to flourish.  WRONG!  There was still something wrong in the garden and I had just about used up all of my ideas.  I moved the mulch and dug into the soil below which had dried out considerably but it had a almost gray green color to it.  I picked up a handful of the soil bringing it to my nose expecting to smell the sour smell of before.  This time without all of the moisture that was present before I could smell the other culprit that was causing the problem.  There was a natural gas leak under the bed.  I know by this time that Maggie and Roy who have become friends thought I was grasping at straws but they called the gas company anyway and sure enough the gas line was leaking under the bed.  The gas company fixed the leak which was on their side of the meter and the garden is beautiful.  It has been a long time coming and quit an investigation but in the end we cured a water problem next to the house, stropped a dangerous gas leak just feet from their home and made one of the prettiest rose gardens around.

 

Starting Monday July 6 we will be changing our hours  to our Summer schedule.  We will be open from 8 am until noon each day but Sunday when we will be closed all day.  Outside of those hours please call before you come.  I will be around most of the time and happy to help you with roses or chemicals. 

Our Rose sale ends at close of business tomorrow.  Several of our friends and customers are going to have some great rose gardens where there was once grass, etc.   I want everyone to know just how much I appreciate your business and continued support for Rose inc. Tulsa.  And yes, I almost forgot  If you bought at least 1 rosebush or more from us this year after March 1 you may bring your receipt and we will give you the bush of your choice from out great selection to show you how much we appreciate you sticking by us during this less than stellar year.  Roses must be picked up here at the nursery during normal business hours between July 6, and July 20, 2009.  If you have miss placed your receipt we will honor this offer only if we can find proof of purchase in our records for the time frame mentioned.  Thanks again for your support

Mark

Roses inc Tulsa.
13201 South 129 E Ave
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74011