About a year ago, I read an article on roses that in essence stated if you leave roses alone, they do better. Maybe not the first year, but after a year of being decimated by diseases, they will build up an immunity and defense. So, all last year I watched my babies being riddled with disease and just pretended not to notice. However, as this spring is almost if full swing, instead of new roses full of life and defense, they are only being covered in those familier black spots. Due to weather, I don't think powdery mildew is going to be a problem yet. I am now taking a different approach. "To execute vengeance upon the heathen [also known as black spot], and punishments upon the people [also known as powdery mildew];" Psalms 149:7. In essence, this is the 6th week since last systemic fertilization and alfalfa meal treatment, so we reapplied the bringers of beauty and worked in more supplies for success. Also I removed all black spotted leaves and cast them into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Tip: don't put leaves in compost as spores will spread. Here is a link to some good info on blackspot. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/pdf/3072.pdf
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| In case you don't know what black spot looks like, here it is. Pretty easy to spot. |
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| more black spot |
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| De-black spotted beauty! |
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| Josephs Coat is coming along very nicely. Lots of buds! |
This was a rosy weekend because a few more projects lay ahead. In the back rose bed (new this year), I was using hay or new mown grass to stifle the weed, however, the weeds seemed to love it. Instead if discouraging them, it seemed to motivate them to new and greater heights. So much for organic. When I comes to roses, I will do almost anything to keep them healthy, wealthy and wise - even use non organics. So after a trip to Home Depot and the local beauty bark supplier. I raked all of the old hay/grass clippings out and pulled the weeds, then applied a healthy supply of Caseron, then weed block plastic, then copious amounts of beauty bark. Take that weeds. If they can grow after that, I may resort to a small nuclear explosion or take a tip from Joshua in Canaan land and spread some salt hither and thither.
On a much happier note, the birds have been much more varied and consistant this year. With the evening grosbeaks, came a new black headed grosbeak. Also lots of the normal sparrows, finches, humming birds, cowbirds, robins, stellar jays, chickadees, and the like. It is always entertaining to sit on the front porch in the warm evenings and watch and listen to them frolic.
I've found that some of the old fashioned varieties of roses are more resistant to black spot. My hybrid tea's always suffer. Great photo's of the birds! We are enjoying the gold finches and hummer's at night. Such a delight! Cheers, Jenni
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you decided to be proactive with the roses. I try to pick off any blighted leaves every time I walk by my roses. It sure helps them look better. Of course I don't have nearly as many rose bushes as you do.
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