hacked roses

Last post 01-20-2007 8:42 AM by redchef101. 2 replies.

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01-01-2007 3:58 PM

hacked roses

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i have a problem...i am trying to get these roses in what was once a "rose garden" back to their healthy state. about 4 years ago they were flourishing, but we had our roof replaced and they needed somewhere to set up the supplies they were using. so they said they needed to "trim back" the roses to make space. well they cut them completely down to their rootstock, and they haven't been the same since. granted, we expected them to come back and be the same they were with litte to no work, but that just isn't the case. a few stocks grew back and got very tall and spindly, and really only produced one flower. i pruned them all back today to about a foot high, and every cut was made to about 1/4 inch above a "bud". i am hoping that what i did was correct, and i am hoping that someone here can give me advice on how to go about feeding them, and WHAT/WHEN i should feed them to get them back on their "feet". i live in san diego, california...if that is any help at all in determining what i need to do. i would greatly appreciate some help, and advice in this matter. thank you ever so kindly.

01-01-2007 3:58 PM In reply to

Re: hacked roses

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Now is the time in S.D. to promote new growth. It would beinteresting to see what types of roses show up after being cut back all the way to the root ball. You may get different roses than what you had before. If you live in the coastal areas like P.B. or O.B. or L.J. or North Co. coastal, beware of molds and mildew from the cooler ocean breezes. Inland areas do get hotter during the summers, so be attentive to watering. Any good rose fertilizer will be very good right now for the new growth. Follow the instructions regarding useage. Also beware of aphids that will attack the new growth. These little buggers do a lot of damage to new growth. I use Bayer's Advanced Garden systemic rose and flower care every month and a half. It's easy to use, and works well in promoting growth and controling those pesky critters. Be careful in how you handle it. This product can be found at any Home Depot or garden center. One of the keys to pruning that I have found is to prune just above a leaflet that has five leaves on it. Prune the cane so that the new eye faces outward. Always cut at an slant about an inch and a half above the new eye. If the cane is a large one, I put Elmers glue on the cut to protect it. As far a molds and mildews, I use a product called Funginex. Follow the label's instuctions. I wish you the best of luck and many blooms.

01-20-2007 8:42 AM In reply to

redchef101
Joined on 01-20-2007
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Re: hacked roses

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I'm going to sound a little crazy, but I'd hire a lawyer.

the reason I say this is because if your beloved roses were not "own root roses" then they more than likely not salvageable and here's why. Most rose growers use the root stock of highly disease and pest resistant varieties and then graft on the rose variety they sell them as (that's why they have that extra thick "ball" at the base of the plant). Experts tell us to prune any suckers from below the graft point because you'll only get spindly canes and crappy little roses from them. So if your roofer's cut them down to the rootstock, removing the graft point, essentially they removed your entire rose and it will never come back as the rose you once had. All that's left of your roses are what every variety they used to graft too.

If you want to learn more about "own root roses" check out heirloom roses online. I buy mine from them and they are wonderful.

My heart goes out to you! I baby my roses and would probably end up in jail if anyone ever did this to me. Good Luck!

Valerie

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