Evening star., 1955-08-07
GARDENING
Bx w. H. YOUNGMAN

BY w. H. YOUNGMAN
At the recent meeting of the
Potomac Rose Society a panel
discussed the steps to take in
having show quality blooms at
the time of the Fall Rose Show
October / and q. The points
discussed will be of interest to
all rose growers and are sum-
married below.
The problems of insect and
disease control seemingly are
very we'll met through one of
the all-purpose sprays or dusts
now available. Those prepared
by the Potomac Rose Society for
it's members contain the new
effective materials. However,
they will not prevent the yel-
lowing of leaves so common in
July and August when tempera-
lures are high. That is caused
by injured or diseased stems,
weak branches, or may be work
done by red spider mites or
other sucking insects.
Where diseases and insects are
under control and the leaves still
are yellow there is nothing to
be done about it. AS soon as
temperatures become more IA
vorable a feeding will restore
the roses to good color. If it
does not, then the rose grower
should Try some Of the iron
compounds, perhaps also mag
nesium to see If the lack of
them is the cause of the yellow
ing.
Give Weekly SOakings
Watering is another factor in
the vigor and bloom Of the rose.
Too often we have summer
droughts which weaken the
bushes and result in poor growth.
The roses should be given q
good soaking at least once q week
If rains are lacking. In soaking,
however, it is desirable to wet
the ground to a depth Of II
inches or more.
Some growers have tiles or
other devices to carry the water
into the subsoil so that 1t Is
thoroughly moistened.
Watering should be in the late
afternoon or early morning so
that the foliage will not be wet
during the heat of the day, nor
moist going into the night. There
Is one other point in watering.
Generally We use soakerS or other
devices that keep the water from
reaching the foliage. However,
a good washing with a hard blast
Is occasionally desirable. It not
only blows the insects off the
leaves but also removes the dust
and accumulation Of spray resi-
due and thereby enables the
leaves to function.
Food Needed For Growth
Feeding is a must if the rose
bushes are to continue producing
new growth and q bountiful
supply of large blooms. However,
1t is getting late in the season
to apply slow acting fertilizers
If we would have the new growth
develop and mature before there
Is danger Of cold weather and
freeze injury. For this reason it
Is desirable to use a rapidlv
available commercial fertilizer or
one Of the new soluble plant
foods mixtures. Some will find
that spray feeding is one way of
getting the rose into strong new
growth at this season.
However. along with the feed
Ing the bed should be deeply
mulched with whatever material
is available. Experienced rose
growers prefer to mulch in the
early summer with an enriched
compost and of course that SUD-
plies both the protective cover
which helps to keep the roots
cool and functioning into sum-
mer and it also supplies the
plant food. Compost alone will
not do the entire job. In fact, the
use OF a mulch or compost will
mean additional fertilization be-
cause the bacteria must have an
adequate supply of nitrogen or
they will rob the roses.
Deep Mulch Needed
Mulching is needed If the
roses are to thrive during the
heat of the Summer-that is do
the best they can under Wash
lngton conditions. A good mulch
greatly reduces the soil tempera-
lures. as well as conserves mois-
ture and Smothers out the weeds.
The kind of material to use will
depend upon what is available.
PeatmosS, ground corn cobs, de-
cayed leaves, chopped hay, saw
dust, tanbark. etc., may be used
for this purpose.
The depth to apply will vary
with the material. Peatmoss will
usually be effective when moist
ened and spread to a depth of an
inch The prnIlnd cnrn cnhs