Gardener's Group discussion

Use this thread to discuss what roses & perennials you're growing and how this year.

Going to make an attempt at growing perennial shasta daisy seed in milk jugs this year.

Has anyone tried roses in containers? Just wondering...

Was in big box stores yesterday and there are so many types of fertilizer for roses. Is there an organic one anyone can recommend?

I grow all of my roses in containers! Always have.

I would check with the Jobes line of organic fertilizers - I believe they have one specifically for roses.

Jo wrote: "I would check with the Jobes line of organic fertilizers - I believe they have one specifically for roses."

That's good to know about roses in containers and thanks for the information on Jobe's line, too.

You're welcome :-) Make sure you plant the rose in a container with good drainage that's at least one or two sizes bigger than the one it came in. During times of growth and drought, container roses generally need more watering than those planted in the ground but overwatering isn't good either. (If the soil is wet or like thick mud, wait to water until it's more on the damp side). Morning or early afternoon watering is ideal in case any water gets on the foliage it has time to dry out before nighttime when fungus and mildew like to form. Some roses which are full sun or drought tolerant may be less able to take the full sun and/or drought in a container (I found that out via trial & error). All of mine get early morning sun, then a break before getting sun again mid to late afternoon. Also, roses in containers don't get as big as roses planted in ground. Risk for diseases (black spot, rose rosette), fungus and powdery mildew seem to be about the same as roses planted in groud.

Roses that grow here are small and kind of weak-looking. People who only know the island are proud of them, but for those of us who come from rose-growing countries, it just isn't worth it. That said, if anyone knows of any roses that will grow in a tropical climate, or a rainforest one (cooler, wetter, shadier) please let me know.

Jo wrote: "You're welcome :-) Make sure you plant the rose in a container with good drainage that's at least one or two sizes bigger than the one it came in. During times of growth and drought, container rose..." Great suggestions, my front yard has the early morning sun and that is one of the areas I'm trying to add more color. A couple of large pots and bright roses will help with color and additional height. Thanks!

You're welcome Lorna!

Most of my day lilies are finally blooming. It's the third year for a lot of them and they are starting to make a pretty good show. Every day I decide a different one is my favorite.

I do the same with my roses lol This year my 'Julia Child' floribunda's are my favorite!

Jo wrote: "I do the same with my roses lol This year my 'Julia Child' floribunda's are my favorite!"

I wish I had better luck with roses. I have 3 Knockouts that do well, but every other kind I've tried get diseases, or don't bloom, or grow, or something.

Roses can be a finicky lot. I've gone through many over the years. I started this year with only 5 roses left of the more than dozen I've had over the last few years. I've purchased 5 roses (including 2 Julia Child floribundas) so far this year and we shall see what makes it through the winter and returns next year.

Knockout roses are the only roses that grow well for me also. The reason is knockouts roses tend not to be grafted. The grafted tea roses look great for a year or two then the cheap rootstock tends to take over or get some kind of disease. If one wants cool looking roses, get ones that are not grafted, speacially if you live in a colder climate, these will be expensive. Or one could take a cutting of a rose and try to grow a whole new plant from the cutting (not easily done).

This is why I have given up on roses and all those fancy tea rose companies can just go out of business.

Interesting, I've found hybrid tea roses no better or worse than any of the other roses I grow, including knockouts & I grow ht's, ko's, floribundas and grandifloras. I've dealt with diseases on all, including the knockouts which also had a nasty bout of rose rosette disease when none of the others did and of my 5 original knockouts, only 2 remain.

Hi, Everyone!

it's been awhile since I checked in and I was so happy to discover this thread. We moved, leaving behind approximately 80 rose bushes that we planted and nurtured -- many we propagated. On our new, much smaller property, I've planted sa selection of my favorite old garden roses; some are doing very poorly! They get enough sun and water. Any ideas as to what the problem might be? We've already lost one and I thought that nothing would that nothing hurts these shrubs!

Here is a link I found that sums up what I think about roses.
I personally have given up on roses.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornam...

Sorry to hear that Mickey! I will never give up on roses. To each his or her own!

Anastasia, transplanting can be extremely traumatic for roses. I lost my Gertrude Jekyll after transplanting her this year. Have you by any chance moved to a new hardiness zone? Are they in the same sun exposure as at the old property? Are any showing signs of disease or pests?

And are you watering enough until roots re-establish? (Don't let the soil dry out but don't overwater so it's soggy/muddy).