Roses

Rose Cuttings

Q. What happens if I try and make a cutting from a hybrid rose bush? Do I get the same rose and can you even get anything from a cutting?

A. If you are taking a stem cutting of a rose then you will get that same variety when it blooms. This is called vegetative propagation. This is how the large commercials propagate their established bushes to make enough new ones to sell all over the world.

If you crossed the flower of one rose to the flower of a different colored rose then you may get a seed pod form. Once it has matured on the bush you harvest the pod place in an envelope and dry well for several months.

Sow the seed on starter mix indoors and cover with glass or plastic. Tiny seedling will come up if the cross produced viable seed. Once they are large enough they can be grown in the garden or a greenhouse. It takes at least three years to see the first bloom so you can see why roses cost a lot. There is a lot of time and energy involved in introducing new varieties.

Transplanting Roses

If you want to move any of your roses the best time is in the late winter or spring as soon as your soil is workable. Dig new holes 1 1/2' deep and 2' wide making a mound in the center of the hole for you to drape the roots over. Keep the bud union [where the graft is the hybrid stem affixed to the root stock] only about 2" above the soil surface. Use a good rich humus soil.

Water in slowly but well. Keep the rose bushes evenly moist until you see signs of new growth.

Remember that roses are heavy feeders throughout the season and are susceptible to rust mildew aphids and red spider mite.

Transplanting Blooming Roses

Q. Can roses be transplanted while they're in bloom at this time of year [late May]? I want to place them in front of our home where they may be seen instead of behind our house. It's between 2 1/2 feet and 3 feet tall.

A. Yes you can move the plant though it is not advised. I want you to:

Get a pitchfork [which has tines instead of being a solid blade]. Go out about one foot from the reach of the branches and dig in a circle. Be careful to go all the way and lift inward. Keep going around until you feel the bush loosening. Then you will be able to lift it out best without much root damage. You will also be hauling out a lot of soil which will protect the roots during the transplanting.

Lay it onto a large piece of plastic and pull to its new spot.

Have prepared a hole 6" deeper and around than your root ball. Loosen the soil and add peat moss compost or leaf mold. This will enrich the soil. Make sure it has good drainage and is in nearly full sun for best bloom. Carefully lower the plant into the hole and maintain the same soil line as before. Fill in with good soil and water in slowly and deeply. Do not press the soil down as this shuts off needed oxygen.

If the new area is at all breezy you may need to stake it gently for just a month to hold it until the roots grow into the new bed. Keep all spent blossoms and poor leaves removed and discarded away from the bush.

Insects

Q. Help! I have something eating my rose bush leaves. What do I do quick?

A. Start your insect prevention program before any insects arrive. Identify the insect culprit. There are different treatments for many of them.

Japanese Beetles are common. Pick off the adults and use insecticide to kill off young in soil.

Aphids are also very common. Knock them off with a water stream and/or use an insecticide.

Spittle bug seen as white froth on new growth can be dispatched with a stream of water.

Sawfly. Rolls a leaf around eggs. Remove the leaf and destroy.

Leafhopper. A yellow-green insect that should be sprayed with insecticide.

Spider Mite seen as tiny reddish specks under leaves. Try an intense water stream and/or a miticide.

Leaf Cutter Bee cuts circles into edge of leaves. A beneficial insect so ignore their minor damage.

Lady Bugs are a desired insect. The young have voracious appetites for aphids.

Always use insecticides very carefully follow label directions. Too much here is not a good thing. Safer's also makes environmentally safe sprays which work to a less degree but may give them a try. Combination insecticide-fungicides are available however don't use unless you have both problems.

Always make certain your roses are well watered before applying any chemical. It lessens leaf burn. Spray in the early AM before the sunlight hits the foliage and stems.