ROSE PLANTS NOT DOING WELL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 11

ROSE PLANTS NOT DOING WELL.

In every collection of roses there are some plants that for no obvious reason come under the head .ng of “not doing well” (says the Auckland Star’). Somet mes it Is due to thi variety, many sorts "not doing v anywhere. In such cases,there i one sensible thing to do, and t throw them out and replace b sort. Apart from these. J: there are plants that are go ties and at one time d.d gbut the last year or so have One is rather reluctant to these old friends and throw th to replace w th some other : ■ “ even if more modern, mi a- well. The best way to these old friends is to lift a Remove some of the sur i branches, lift the plant, and cu the roots to about 12in or 15in the stock. Often it will be i . rhat there are only two or three thick roots, without a sign of a yo: - fibre, and such treatment may appe.u to be only a quick method of killing the tree, but it will be found that the result will be that the wounds will heal and these stubs of roots will produce a mass of new fibrous roots that

will result in increased vigour. Having lifted the tree and trimmed the roots, the soil where the tree has been growing should be thrown out to a depth of at least 2ft deep, and replaced with fresh turfy loam chopped up into pieces about 2in or 3in square. If the position of the tree is altered there may be no need to move the old pasture. Keep the grass downwards when filling in the hole, and the lower layers can be much larger than the top layer. Remove any perennial weeds such as couch grass or docks, and tread firmly as the hole is filled. When about high enough for planting put in the tree, add some rather more finely chopped turf, tread firm, and finish off with 2in or 3in of garden soil or soli free of grass. About three weeks after planting a dressing of manure can be applied, and the following spring a mulch will help the tree to carry through the hot weather.