Roses - How To ...

HOW TO PLANT A BARE-ROOT ROSE

SOAK THE ROSE in a bucket of water. Dib a hole 2 feet wide, 1½ feet deep. Make a firm cone of soil in the hole.
SPREAD THE ROOTS over the soil cone, cut back long roots so they fit without bending.
SET THE PLANT so the bud union (graft) is just above the soil level, or just below it if temperatures will drop to 10 degrees. Use a shovel handle to gauge soil level.
PULL BACKFILL into the hole firming it over the roots with your hands to stabilize the plant.
SLOWLY FILL the hole with water to soak and settle the soil, then finish backfilling.
WHEN GROWING SEASON BEGINS, make a ridge of soil around the hole to form a watering basin.

HOW TO PRUNE A ROSE

REMOVE ALL DEAD WOOD and all weak, twiggy branches (darkened in drawing). Make cuts flush with the bud union (the swelling at the base of the plant).
CUT ALL BRANCHES THAT CROSS through the center. This opens up the plant and gives it a vase shape. In hot climates some rosarians just shorten center-crossing branches, so leaves will shade the bud union from the scorching summer sun.
Shorten the remaining healthy growth by about one-third.

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

BLACK SPOT

Problem: Small, fringed, black-to-brown spots on leaves come first, then leaves yellow and drop off. Symptoms of this fungus disease start at the bottom of the plant, then work their way up. Common in warm and humid weather.
Solution: Remove and discard infected leaves. To reduce infection, try a baking soda-oil spray (mix 2 teaspoons baking soda and 2 teaspoons summer oil in a gallon of water). Use often to protect new growth.

POWDERY MILDEW

Problem: Patches of white fungal filaments and spores disfigure leaves, buds and stems. Thrives in humid air but unlike other rose diseases needs dry foliage to become established.
Solution: Overhead watering (in the early morning) may wash off fungal spores and reduce infection. Baking soda – oil sprays can also be effect (see black spot). For the worst cases, spray with a fungicide such as triforine or benmyl.

RUST

Problem: Small rust-colored spots form on leaf undersides. Leaf tops show yellow mottling; in advanced cases, leaves yellow and drop. Warm days, cool nights, and moisture encourage this fungus disease, which is spread by spores.
Solution: Keep fallen leaves picked up, and during winter, pick off any rust-infected leaves that remain on the plant. During the growing season, spray foliage with a wettable sulfur, or a fungicide such as triforine.