- Author: Debbie DiNoto
This month we will look at when and how to water your roses. Especially now that the weather is starting to heat up and the rains are probably done until the fall. We live in a Mediterranean climate. Winter rain and summer dry.
I am always asked how much water does a rose need? Ah, the typical Master Gardener answer is, “It depends!” It depends upon the time of year and the type/size of the rose. The typical hybrid tea (we are talking a big, tall and mature plant) will take 6 to 9 gallons a week if the temps are below 80 F (as in spring and fall). A rose bush, such as a floribunda, about 3 feet wide and tall, will need about 3 gallons a week if the...
- Author: Rosie D
Wasn't April glorious? My roses have just been beautiful this year and I am so thankful! I found that they were slow to open this spring, but I moved several of them, so that could be one of the reasons why. Plus, the weather has been up and down, hot and then cold, sunny and then rain and hail. A mixed bag this spring.
For me, the dreaded Hoplia beetle population has been lighter this year than in the past. I found that the Hoplia beetles in my yard prefer my pink California native poppies over my roses. Yes, native California poppies come in colors other than orange. Who knew? Since my poppies were very prolific this year, I...
- Author: Anne Schellman
You may have noticed swarms of flying insects landing on your roses, calla lillies, hydrangeas, and other flowers. If you look closely, you'll see the insect inside the flower, and the chewing damage on the petals. These pests are hoplia beetles, but are often misidentified as Japanese beetles or rose chafer beetles.
Beetles are the most plentiful of all insects on the planet, so it's understandable to get a few of them confused. Let's compare photos and other details about each of these beetles, and also mention the green June beetle, a beetle that is commonly mistaken for the Japanese beetle.
Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles do not have an established population in...
/h3>- Author: Rosie D
Bugs!
Have you started getting them yet? I killed a couple of aphids the other day. The weather situation is perfect for their breeding. What is an aphid? They are little critters that can multiply very quickly and cause damage to your plants. They have a long slender mouth part that they use to pierce stems and leaves and suck out fluids. Something you really don't want on your tender rose plants (or any other plants).
Do I spray insecticides for them? Nope! I grow my roses in a no-spray garden. There are a couple of ways that I get rid of them. One, I hit the plant with a strong blast of water from my hose. Make sure you spray the...
- Author: Rosie D
Welcome to March! This is the time when your roses are starting to break out from dormancy. It is a good time for garden maintenance before the big flower display in April.
If you didn't do this last month, take some time and check your irrigation system to make sure it is working correctly. Make repairs if it is not. My garden is strictly on drip. Yes, I did go through every emitter to make sure it was an adequate size and working, and cleaned out the valves to make sure they were free from sediment. It is worth the time.
I like using drip as I don't have water spraying on my rose leaves which can cause fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and rust. Drip irrigation directs the water to the roots of the...