ROSES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1939, Page 21

ROSES

Well known as the "Queen of Flowers," the rose is worthy of the title. Roses are' perhaps a greater attraction at this season than at others, although not many blooms are out yet. The young .growth and forming buds keep the grower always interested. This season has been particularly favourable for clean growth and the comparative absence of; bad winds has allowed the foliage to: develop without blemish. •

Roses respond to attention perhaps more than most plants—they seem to love being fussed over and will more than repay any attention given them. To keep the plants growing strongly and healthily, keep the surface soil loosened up frequently—this cannot be overdone provided the roots are not unnecessarily damaged. Forking lightly is better thafi either digging or hoeing. ] Manuring should nbt be neglected, but highly concentrated chemical manures have to be usefd very sparingly. The best thing to use is rotted cow or horse manure, Spreading it over the beds and forking] it in. Watering must not be neglected during dry weather, or ;the blooms will suffer. After a hot day an overhead hosing will be much appreciated by the bushes. Those roses which produce their buds in clusters should be disbudded to some \ extent, leaving the centre bud only on each terminal.

If all are allowed', to remain the blooms will be small^ and inferior in every way. This, of (course, does not apply to the polyantha varieties. Green fly or aphis cause much damage to roses among other things, and unless checked spread with alarming rapidity Any nicotine spray will check them, and soapy water may/ prove effective. Dead blooms should jnot be allowed to remain on the b&shes, as besides looking unsightly they are a drain on thy. plant. When picking blooms cut as long as possible without getting into the old wood. This acts as a summer pruning and will result in good fresh growths which will, iri most cases, produce an autumn cropfl of flowers.

Always cut right out any dead branches or twigs and pull out any suckers which may appear from the stocks.