Your gardening questions answered: How can I save my rose plant?
21.06.2024 - 23:19
/ irishtimes.com
/ Fionnuala Fallon
Q: Our 25-year-old Aloha rose has failed to bloom again this season. It used to be in full bloom throughout the month of June. Can you recommend any treatment to restore it to its former glory? A Forsyth
A: Very probably the world’s best-known and most-loved genus of flowering plants, roses are unfortunately also vulnerable to a wide number of pests and diseases. Many of the most destructive are fungal (examples include black spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, rose rust, honey fungus, phytophthora, rose canker and grey mould), resulting in defoliation, disfigured and/or discoloured foliage, poor flowering and sometimes even death. Unsuitable soil conditions (too consistently dry, too consistently wet, too low in humus matter and nutrients) and accidental damage as a result of herbicide drift or poor pruning technique can also severely affect the plant’s health and vigour.
Classed as a short to medium-sized climber, your “Aloha” rose is a repeat-flowering climbing variety known for its large, double, coral-pink scented blooms and is generally considered vigorous and free-flowering. Happy in full sun or light shade, it typically reaches a height of 3m-4m (10-13ft). It’s hard to say for certain what is most likely to be the cause of its obvious ill-health. But just as for humans, you can do a huge amount to boost its recovery by creating the best growing conditions.
Roses are greedy, thirsty plants that need deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist and free-draining soil to flourish. For this reason, a generous mulch of well-rotted manure and/or home-made compost around the root systems every year in late winter/early spring is essential, along with a few handfuls of a slow-release organic pelleted fertiliser. Pruning is also an
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