Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
ROSE GARDEN

Vast quantities of rose plants have
been set out in the home gardens OF this
vicinity this Spring. Prices have been
such as to favor increased planting and
that such has been the case there is lit
tie doubt What per cent of these
plants will thrive and give their owners
satisfaction? Undoubtedly for one rea-
son or another a goodly per cent viii
fail. One of the principal reasons Tor
the loss of these newly planted roses Is
the black spot disease which Kills the
leaves and through their destruction so
weakenS the plant that it. too. succumbs.
Too often we think of the plant as the
wood ard roots and neglect to include
the leaves in the picture. But, Withal,
il we stop to think, the leaves are high.
ly essential. Here is made at least nine
tenths of the plants food. Root growth
depends primarily on food obtained
from the leaves. Leaf loss means root
stagnation and rapid death to the plant.
Therefore the home gardener should
protect the leaves of his plants, eSpe-
cially newly set plants which are try
ing to get established.
Two remedies are available for the
black spot. One, the old reliable
Bordeaux mixture, made up OF copper
Sulphate, lime and water, and the other
the so-called Massey dust, nine parts
of very finely divided sulphur and one
part of arsenate of lead powder. Where
most home gardeners make their mis-
take, and the writer claims no eXcep-
ton for himself, Is that they allow the
black spot to get quite bad before they
begin to dust or spray. Once the black
spot fungus enters leaf it spreads be-
meath the surface and no spray or dust
can stop it, 1t would be wiser TO start
busting the leaves as they appear in
Spring and maintain faithful program
throughout the season. busting sui
phur as described is now sold by many
seedmen or can be made at home. One
fungicide company has devised a green
colored dust that is much less noticeable
on the leaves. Dusts may be best ap-
piled in early morning or evening when
the air is quiet and the leaves are
moist.
Other reasons for the high mortality
Of newly planted roses are poor stock to
start with and poor care after planting.
For the first there is no remedy except
greater care in selecting strong plants IT,
one has chance to make a choice. For
the second there is a remedy. Keep the
soil stirred about the plants. adding
every few weeks a small handful of bone
meal or Of mixed fertilizer or better yet,
old rotted manure, which Is generally
conceded best OF all. Sometimes roses
are planted in shade or in competition
with tree roots, neither of which con-
ditions favor success. Direct sunlight.
ample fertility, good soil drainage and
control Of the dreaded black spot will
pretty nearly assure rose success. After
all, the rose is not difficult plant TO
grow, but like many other cultivated
plants is not as sturdy as was its wild
progenitorS. Consider the hardy rugosa
roses. almost wild in their makeup and
quite able to take care of themselves.
Rose breeders will likely develop garden
roses that posses natural resistance to
black spot and other diseases. Until
that day the aspiring rose grower has a
fight on his hands to grow roses.
A brief article in the December. 1880.
Rose Quarterly, published by the
American Rose Society. lists the names
of roses which can claim the old favor
lite Frau Karl Druschki as one of their
parents. There are about 40 OF the
brid tea type, Is of the pernetiana
group rugosas and some Is climbers
in this group Frau Karl Druschki has
thus been a prolific parent and is still
great favorite itself in spite of the
fact that the flowers are without fra
GRANGE The author states that Frau
Karl Druschki Is really hybrid tea.
its parents being Merveille de Lyon and
Nine. Caroline Testout Some evidence
of this fact may be seen in the frequent
scattering of blooms throughout Sum-
mer and Autumn. Frau Karl Druschki
is a favorite rose in many local gar
dens and is still being planted extern
sively.