o grow beautiful , CHOOSING THE you don't need to use RIGHT • Roses need full sun, which means at and • Start with healthy . Look for least six hours of direct ~unlight per T day. Sunlight encourages blooms and that may contribute to local glossy foliage and an evenly moist discourages disease. water quality problems. By rootball. Avoid plants with spindly stems, discolored or spotted leaves, • Roses require good drainage. In the choosing appropriate rose va~ or roots that are coiled around the spot you've chosen for planting, dig rieties, planting roses properly, container. a hole the size of a gallon jug and fill and carefully following recom~ • Choose rose varieties that are dis­ it with water. If the hole doesn't mended cultural practices, you ease-resistant and suited to your par­ drain in one hour, you should choose ticular climate. Some roses are diffi­ another spot or make a raised bed can grow roses that are less sus~ cult to grow successfully in the cool for planting the roses. ceptible to pests and diseases. and foggy summers of our coastal • Give your roses plenty of room to Roses have certain minimum areas. No roses are completely dis­ grow so that they won't be crowded. requirements, so if you have ease-free, but many can be grown Get an idea of the mature size of soil that drains slowly or a with minimal care. the rose when you buy it. Good air circulation is crucial in preventing shady yard (roses need six • Visit a local rose at various times during the growing season to disease. hours of direct sunlight a day), see what particular varieties look like • Consider planting roses in mixed look for plants that will be more and to learn about different roses' beds rather than traditional rose appropriate for your garden. growing habits and requirements. beds. This diversity of plants will • Ask local and rosarians attract beneficial insects and cut The following tips can help you for suggestions. Try to find people down on the spread of rose pests and to protect your family's health who are growing roses with minimal diseases. pesticides. and the environment while you WHEN TO • Contact local rose societies, nurser­ grow strong, healthy roses with • Roses purchased in pots can be glorious blooms. ies, and Master Gardeners for lists of roses they recommend for your area. planted any time of year, but the best selection is available in nurs­ PLANTING ROSES eries from December to May. Pot­ ted roses can be planted immedi­ Before you plant, spend some time ately, or they can remain in their finding the best spot in the garden for pots for several months. your roses. • Bare root roses (plants with no soil on CARING FOR YOUR • If you choose a synthetic commer­ their roots) are available December ROSES cial fertilizer, choose one formulated through February. They should be for roses and try applying it at half­ planted right after you buy them so WATERING strength. that they don't dry out. Soak the plants The amount of water your roses will • If you have sandy soil that is defi­ overnight in water before planting. need depends on the climate and the cient in nutrients and organic mat­ ter, you may need to apply fertilizer How TO PLANT weather, the type of soil, and the type of rose. In areas with summer fog, roses every month during the growing sea­ Planting in Containers will need less water than in areas with son. (Note that a slow-release fer­ For container planting, choose roses summer heat. You will have to water tilizer like Osmocote®does not have that don't grow more than 4 feet tall. more frequently if you have sandy soil to be applied every month.) Roses Choose a container at least 20" deep than if you have clay soil. It is impor­ growing in clay soil containing or­ ganic matter may need fertilizing and wide. Use a premium commer­ tant to give your roses the right amount cial potting soil, such as Whitney of water. Waterlogged soil will kill roses, only once a year. Farms or Fox Farms. You may also and drought conditions can stress • Avoid using fertilizer/systemic want to add organic matter such as plants, making them more susceptible insecticide combinations. These or high-quality rose plant­ to pests and diseases. can cause stunted and deformed ing mix. Water well after planting. • Keep the soil moist. Use your finger or leaves, especially when the weather Planting in the Ground a soil probe to test the soil and check is cool. They may also harm soil­ dwelling organisms. • Dig a hole the depth of the container roses in pots at least twice a week. and at least two times the diameter • Watering with soaker hoses or a drip • Fertilize during the growing season of the container. For bare root roses irrigation system delivers water to after the soil has warmed up. Plants dig a hole that will comfortably hold the soil without wetting the foliage. will not take up fertilizer when the the roots of the plant. Roots need This can help prevent fungal dis­ soil is cold. to reach out laterally as far as pos­ eases. If you water with a sprinkler, • Sweep up any fertilizer that spills on sible in order to take advantage of water early in the day so the foliage driveways or paths and place around water and nutrients. will dry out before evening. plants. Irrigation or rain can wash • Do not amend the soil in the plant­ • If you use granular fertilizer, water it fertilizer into storm drains where it ing hole. Research has shown that in with a hose. Drip systems don't causes problems for aquatic life when it reaches a creek or the Bay. soil amendments are not necessary provide enough water to dissolve the in most soils, including clays. granules. • If you are concerned about the fer­ • Place the rose in the hole so that the tility of your soil and are considering bud union (the knobby part of the FERTiliZING an extensive fertilization program, trunk where the rose was grafted) is Roses prefer a slightly acidic soil (pH have your soil tested by a professional 2" to 3" above the soil. For roses 6.2 to 6.8) that is not high in salt. lab first. The lab analysis will provide grown on their own roots, look for Fertilizers such as alfalfa meal, cotton­ you with recommendations for spe­ the "root crown," the area where the seed meal, blood meal, and bat guano cific amendments. (Try A&L West­ roots meet the trunk. Plant with the can acidify the soil. Animal manures ern Agricultural Labs, 1311 Wood­ root crown above the soil, but not are generally high in salts. land Ave., # 1, Modesto, CA 95351; (209) 529-4080; www.al-labs-west.com). so high the roots are exposed. • Use slow-release fertilizers such as com­ • Fill in the hole with the soil you re­ post or those listed above or encapsu­ MuLCHING moved and gently tamp it down. lated materials such as Osmocote®. Mulching with organic materials, like These fertilizers release nutrients slowly • Water thoroughly. If the rose sinks compost and shredded leaves, helps after watering, you may need tore­ over a long period, preventing spurts of succulent growth which attract to conserve moisture, control weeds, move it and replant it higher to keep improve soil structure, and keep the soil from touching the root aphids and diseases. Organic natural fertilizers, including compost, will also roots cool in summer heat. Mulch crown or to keep the bud union at can also prevent the spread of diseases least 2" above the ground. provide soil structure and moisture re­ tention and will improve food for es­ like black spot by keeping disease • Cover the soil with 2" to 3" of organic sential soil organisms. spores from splashing up onto the mulch. See below for more details. plant from the soil. Spread a two-to succulent growth that is susceptible every winter, leaving 2/3 of the four-inch layer of mulch around each to aphids and powdery mildew. Dur­ canes' height at the base for light plant, keeping the mulch a few ing winter (December to pruning, 1/2 of the height for me­ inches away from the trunk. February), remove any diseased por­ dium pruning, and 1/3 of the height tions of the plant. for heavy pruning. PRUNING • Good sanitation is essential in re­ • Arching shrub roses should be Careful pruning can keep roses healthy ducing disease problems. Remove all pruned lightly so their naturally and help to prevent disease and pest diseased and rake up any elegant shape is not destroyed. Thin problems. Pruning allows you to re­ diseased leaves and blossoms as they the canes so they do not cross or rub, move dead, spindly or diseased plant fall. Do not compost them unless and cut back the lateral shoots. material, helps to shape plants and pro­ you have reliably hot compost that • Climbers should also be pruned mote flowering and new growth, and you turn regularly. Diseases can be lightly. Don't cut back long canes. provides good air circulation to dis­ transmitted from stems, leaves, and Train them into a horizontal or courage diseases. Use sharp tools so you petals lying on the ground and from diagonal position to encourage lat­ won't tear the bark or damage the cane. diseased plant material. eral shoots that produce flowers all • During the growing season, remove • The modern Hybrid Tea Roses and along the cane rather than just at any leaves and shoots affected by Floribundas only produce flowers on the tip. Trim back lateral shoots to disease but do not prune too heavily. new growth so prune to remove last 2 or 3 nodes. Remove canes that The plant will respond with new, year's wood. Cut these bushes back cross or rub.

MANAGING COMMON ROSE PESTS AND DISEASES WITHOUT PESTICIDES Inspect plants regularly to detect any diseases or pests before they become a problem. Become familiar with the pests and diseases that are common in your area. Before you treat plants for insect problems, look for beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, syrphid flies, and orange-and-black soldier beetles. If you see these natural enemies of rose pests, refrain from using an insecticide because you will kill more useful insects than pests. (See following page for less-toxic chemical control for rose diseases.)

APHIDS POWDERY MILDEW Tiny ( 1/8"), sucking insects that feed on plant sap. Optimum conditions for infection: Night - 61 °F and Often found in clusters on new shoots and flower buds, 95% to 99% relative humidity; day- 81 °F and 40% to especially on over-fertilized plants. May cause leaves to 70% relative humidity. Grows well only on new growth. discolor or turn black with sooty mold. Natural preda­ Symptoms: curled leaves and a white or gray powdery tors can reduce their numbers. Controls: Wipe off by coating on leaves, shoots, and flower buds. Spores over­ hand or spray off with water, prune off infested growth, winter on leaves and leaf buds, and are spread by wind. spray with an insecticidal soap, use slow-release fertiliz­ Controls: Plant disease-resistant varieties, wash leaves ers to prevent growth spurts. in early afternoon with a strong spray, avoid heavy fer­ tilization or heavy pruning that causes spurts of new, BLACK SPOT highly susceptible growth. Optimum conditions for infection: 64°F to 75°F and 95% relative humidity. Spores must be continuously wet RusT for 7 hours for infection to occur. Symptoms: circular Optimum conditions for infection: 64°F to 70°F and con­ black spots with fringed edges on leaves and stems. Leaves tinuous moisture for 2 to 4 hours. Cold winters and very may yellow and drop. Spores overwinter on infected stems hot summers limit development. Symptoms: small orange and fallen leaves and are spread by splashing water, cul­ or yellow spots on any green portion of the plant. On the tivation, and insects. This disease is more common along leaves, symptoms start on the undersides and progress to the coast. Inland it may indicate excessive moisture, in­ the upper surfaces. Infected leaves may drop. Overwinters sufficient light, or poor air circulation. Controls: Choose on leaves and stems and is spread by wind, rain, and over­ resistant varieties, prune away and destroy infected plant head watering. Controls: Choose resistant varieties, remove material, increase air circulation, destroy fallen leaves, and destroy fallen leaves, mulch to prevent spread of spores, mulch to prevent spread of spores. remove and destroy infected shoots (look for dark, corky lesions). Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation. • Roses that bloom once in the spring lon of water. Spray when you first de­ PESTICIDES AND should be pruned right after they tect disease, and repeat when new WATER POLLUTION have flowered. symptoms appear. Common household pesticides show up in • For more information, look for classes • Sulfur and lime can be effective treated wastewater and in local waterways, at public , garden clubs, your against black spot, powdery mildew, sometimes at levels that can harm sensitive aquatic life. So, water pollution prevention local nursery or University of Cali­ and rust. Do not use when tempera­ agencies have teamed up with participating fornia Cooperative Extension Mas­ tures exceed 85F0 because you will retail stores, distributors, and manu­ facturers to reduce the risks associated with ter Gardeners. bum the leaves. pesticide use. This fact sheet is part of a se­ • Antitranspirants such as Cloud ries of fact sheets and store displays aimed at LESS-TOXIC CHEMICAL educating residents about less-toxic pest Cover®or Wilt Pruf® and horticultural management. For the rest of the series of fact CONTROLS oil (Sunspray Ultrafine®) have been sheets, visit www.ourwaterourworld.org. observed to provide roses with protec­ Also, look for the "Our Water Our World" If disease or pest problems are persis­ logo next to products in participating stores tent in your garden, you may want to tion from fungal diseases. They create and nurseries. See the Pesticides and Water a thin coating that can prevent spores Quality fact sheet for information on active use one of these less toxic chemicals. ingredients in common pesticides that may Because these products prevent but do from fungal diseases from invading the cause water quality problems. not cure disease, treatments must begin leaves. Treatment is begun when new Pest control strategies and methods described before symptoms are widespread. Be leaves appear in spring and must be in this publication are consistent with inte­ repeated whenever you see new grated pest management (!PM) concepts, and sure to coat both sides of the leaves. To are based on scientific studies and tests in ac­ decrease the possibility of burning leaves growth. Cloud Cover® in its ready-to­ tual home and garden settings. Use suggested use form is too strong for roses. The products according to label directions and or flowers, water plants the day before dispose of unwanted or leftover pesticides you treat them and test a few leaves and concentrate can be mixed 1 part Cloud at a household hazardous waste collection petals before spraying the whole plant. Cover® to 12 parts water to prevent facility or event. For more information on burning. Use a 1% solution of horti­ pesticide disposal, call 1-800-CLEANUP or • Potassium bicarbonate (Kaligreen®) visit: www.1800CLEANUP.org. No endorse­ cultural oil and water (about 3 table­ ment of specific brand name products is in­ is similar to common baking soda spoons of oil in 1 gallon of water). tended, nor is criticism implied of similar prod­ and can be used to prevent powdery ucts that are not mentioned. mildew. It must be applied weekly. • Neem oil (Rose Defense®) can help Or, use this baking soda mixture: prevent powdery mildew, black spot, ACKNOWLEDGMENT and rust. Neem oil can be toxic to bees, 1 tablespoon baking soda, plus 2 The Central Contra Costa Sanitary Dis­ tablespoons horticultural oil in 1 gal- so it is safest to spray it in the evening. trict originally developed this !PM outreach program.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PRODUCTS AND RESOURCES For more information, contact: Examples of trade names of products listed in this fact sheet Common Ground Organic Garden Potting Soil: Whitney Farms; Fox Farms Horticultural Oil: SunSpray Ultrafine® Supply and Education Center (650) 493-6072; Slow Release Fertilizer: Osmocote® Neem Oil: Rose Defense® www.commongroundinpaloalto.org Potassium Bicarbonate: Kaligreen® Soil Probe: Check your nursery Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC) Antitranspirant: Cloud Cover®; Wilt Pruf® (510) 524-2567; www.birc.org University of California Cooperative Recommended Reading Extension Master Gardeners in your area (in the phone book ) Contact local rose societies, nurseries, and Master Gardeners for lists of roses University of California IPM website: they recommend for your area. www.ipm. ucdavis.edu Handbook for Selecting Roses, American Rose Society. 1998. Shreveport, LA. American Rose Society (318-938-5402) http://www. ars.org/ Healthy Roses, University of California, Div. of and Nat. Resources. 2002. Berkeley. (800-994-8849) The Natural Rose , Lance Walheim. 1994. Ironwood Press. The Organic Rose Garden, Liz Druitt. 1996. Taylor Publishing Company. Dallas. The Rose Book, Maggie Oster. 1994. Rodale Press. Emmaus, PA.

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