ROSE CULTURE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 168, 20 July 1935, Page 13

ROSE CULTURE

WINTER WORK Notwithstanding the sodden condition of the soil during lhe past three months, roses have continued to grow and to flower. Even up to the present tune quite a number of the bushes are blooming freely, 'consequently the pruning must be deferred until later than usual, excepting those that are completely bare of foliage; the end of this month will be quite early enough to prune, trimming when they are in growth* must naturally weaken the plants. Digging the beds should aiso be put off until after the pruning; at r.he same lime they should receive a liberal dressing of basic slag dug in with stable manure if obtainable. Planting Roses 1 he planting of roses must be proceeded with, as the season is fast advancing, and early planting gives them a chance to make fresh roots and become established. Before planting a rose bush partially piune the tops back and shorten back any straggling roots, (cutting off any that are broken and injured. Roses are invariably propagated by budding. The stems between the root and the budded portion should be short to admit of shallow planting; if on long stems the roots are buried too deeply The budded portion or rose proper should be grown one or two inches above the surface of the soil. Carefully dig out the hole the required depth and as the soil has already been properly prepared by deep digging or trenching the bottom need not be loosened up again. Insert the plant in an upright position, spread the roots out, cover with a layer of earth, firm well, tread and fill in tli# balance of soil without further treading, or only lightly. The three essentials are the selection of suitable plants, proper preparation of the soil and careful planting to ensure success.

Planting in Hard Sub-soils When planting trees or shrubs in localities with a hard pan or stiff subsoil this must be broken up to allow the roots to penetrate, or, better still, by the insertion of light charges of gelignite, or other explosives at suitable distances apart. To attain good results it is imperative that the holes be properly prepared. Another important point is to see that the roots are properly spread out ami regulated, and that the trees are not planted too deeply, whirh is often done to keep it from blowing over. Trees or shrubs seldom succeed when deep planted, the fibrous roots being beyond the influence of the atmosphere.