T his is the time of year when the roses have come into their full glory. I see them showing off all over Berkeley, where every block seems to have at least several traffic-stopping displays. It’s also the time when many roses start to have problems with insects and disease, and people start calling for advice.
My philosophy when caring for roses is: keep it safe and simple. Roses are to be enjoyed; life is too short to let them become tyrants. Here are a few easy steps that will help keep your roses beautiful all summer.
- To prevent powdery mildew, spray every 10 days with a mixture of 1 Tbsp. baking soda plus 2.5 Tbsp. horticultural oil per gallon of water.
- To prevent rust and blackspot, prune out inner branches to increase light and air-circulation, and remove lower leaves up to 18 inches from the soil.
- To increase flowering, dead-head regularly, and feed every four weeks with a balanced organic rose food. Don’t forget to deep water.
Paul Doty
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