I want you to know how much I appreciate your interest in Roses inc. Tulsa and growing the Queen of Flowers.  In each issue of Everything Roses Monthly I try to give you pertinent information that will help you to have a beautiful rose garden without having to spend all of your free time tending to it.  Roses are very resilient plants, just ask the people who I prune for each Spring!  They will take a ton of abuse and  still flower and grow.  The trick to raising roses is to give them what they require.  Pruning throughout the year, fertilizer, water, a safe place to grow away from water hogs like trees and shrubs, and at least 6 hours of Sun.  In our Oklahoma climate we must also do our preventative application of pesticide to keep our roses blooming at their best.  Yes they require a little care but what is there worth having that doesn't?  Each month I will continue to write about what may be BUGGING your roses and give you some options for care.  As always I want you to know that I care about your success as a rose grower and I appreciate your emails and calls with questions concerning their care.  If you have a question about rose care, please be surte and send it to me and I will answer it in a timely manner.  I may publish it in an upcoming news letter using only your first unless you request otherwise. 

 

 

First let me give you the definition of pruning.  Pruning is the removal of any part of the plant. It is not just the Spring time thing to do.
 If our Roses have been pruned correctly in early Spring a lot of the pruning that is required throughout the year is addressed at that time.  However you should not just leave the plant unattended throughout the rest of the year. Your goal is to have a strong plant growing in the correct direction free of dead wood, puny canes,disease and damage.  Hence the 4 D's.  Dead, damaged, diseased and dinky.
Dead is pretty easy.  If it is dead remove it.  Dead canes harbor disease and pest.
Damaged canes whether caused by a weed eater or a wind storm, allow pest to get into the plant or make the appearance of the plant suffer.
Diseased, some diseased canes like those with canker should be removed well below the canker.  If the canker is allowed to reach the bud the plant may die.  DO NOT REMOVE ROE ROSETTE and think you have accomplished anything.  That would be like cutting off your hand to kill a virus you've contracted.  In all instances of Rose Rosette (Witches Broom) the entire plant must be removed. In some cases the bush may be damaged by weed killer and have a very similar look.  If you are not sure what it is, call me, I will be happy to help.
Dinky is any cane that is smaller than a number 2 pencil except on mini roses.  Dinky cane use up nutrition that could be going to the rest of the plant.
Three other types of canes should regularly be removed throughout the season. They are the canes below a spent or blown bloom.  When removing the cane below a spent bloom forget everything you have heard about the first 5 leaf set.  That is nonsense.  Cut long stem roses.  Whether you are cutting the roses to take into the house or removing dead flowers (dead heading) cut them as if you are cutting long stem roses. You always want to cut back to a stem the size of a #2 pencil so the new growth will be sturdy enough to hold the new blooms.  Remember, whether you cut the cane at 2 inches or 8 inches below the bloom the cane will bloom again after the same time has elapsed. 
The other canes you should remove at anytime throughout the year are those that are growing in the wrong direction.  Especially on  Roses that are being trained to a trellis you need to remove any cane going in any other direction other than toward the trellis.  Cut these canes off flush with the bud union or cane from which they are protruding.  Never bend a cane back to tie it.  Remove it and let the energy of the bush go to those canes growing naturally in the correct direction.  Lastly, it is always a good idea to remove any cane that is growing into a driving or walking space. 
Complete HOW TO instructions and maybe even a pruning demonstration can be obtained by coming by Roses inc. Tulsa.

 

Whats bugging your Roses?  

Most months I would use this space to describe the particular insect that may be bugging your roses.  This year that is not possible because I am seeing nearly every bad bug known to roses on every bush I look at.  Thrips are stopping blooms from opening, caterpillars are eating the leaves, spider mites and and aphids are in great abundance.  The good news is that I haven't seen a Japanese Beetle yet.  I am going to show you a photo of each critter that I have just named and if you have them on your roses the best thing to do is come by Roses inc. Tulsa and tell us which you have and we will make sure you get what you need to control it. We have the right products and the knowledge to use them correctly for best results with less harm to the environment.

Aphids Look under the leaves for these guys.  Ants on your roses are a good indicator the Aphids are present.

Spider Mite If you see one this big, Run.  They are actually much smaller than this . Thrips   Even just one is a Thrips

 

Rose Slugs (Caterpillars)

 

You do not have to be a member of the Tulsa Rose Society to attend Dr. Rebek's program.  Everyone is welcome.

The meeting will be held at the Tulsa Garden Center.