PROOF OF THE PUDDING
By: Ted W. Mills, ARS Consulting Rosarian and Judge
At the risk of being accused of plagiarizing the rating process for roses, I am entitling this article with the same words. Those three words vividly describe some of the things I have preached in rose culture since they ultimately proved to be correct action. Please allow me to elaborate on just a few.
You may recall that last year I authored an article entitled "That Blasted Blower." I elaborated on the spreading of the fearsome malady called blackspot. I told of how it would spread throughout the garden if the use of a power blower was used in clearing rose beds. It is understandable since 30,000 microscopic spores on a spot 1/4 inch in diameter lie waiting to be transported via the wind to a waiting healthy leaf. It stands to reason that supplying the wind artificially will enhance this transport operation. I readily admit that I wrote the Blasted Blower article in a fit of temper since blackspot had spread to almost every one of my 200 rose bushes. Stupidly, I had supplied the perfect mechanism to maximize my problem. When I circulated the article there were some "doubters" whose skepticism would not allow my theory to take hold. But now, a year later, after replacing the power blower with a rake, I must report that the bushes have experienced absolutely no blackspot and the same spray schedule is being utilized. Believe me, that's proof in the pudding.
Another part of rose culture that stands out as proof-in-the-pudding is the feeding schedule. I made the statement that it is better to feed roses a lesser amount of fertilizer on a frequent basis rather than gorge them monthly. Many resort to a program that calls for heavy feeding only occasionally in order to reduce time spent in the garden. But in my opinion, that won't "cut it". This year I changed to the plan that feeds a small amount bi-weekly, and before a rose show, weekly, and the results were astounding. It proves what we have said all along. Roses are heavy feeders and cannot tolerate casual feeding if the objective is award-winning blooms.
To make the feeding process more functional and less tiring, a new fertilizing vehicle was secured to accurately dispense the fertilizer. To my thinking, it is the best apparatus available on the market for those who have an above-average number of plants. The feeder is called DOSMATIC - (1-800-344-6767). Its name is well taken, for it accurately dispenses dosages automatically for the grower. It can be used through automatic watering systems or through a hand held hose, using special hose connections. Greenhouse operators rely on its accuracy to feed flowering plants of all varieties. It has reduced the labor factor and created for me the perfect way to feed. The DOSMATIC has been fitted on a dolly with wheels, making it mobile and easy to manipulate throughout the garden. Yes, it helps me to feed more frequently and the health of my roses this year is proof-in-the-pudding that frequent feeding in smaller quantities, with reduced dosages, is the way to go. In other words, plants appreciate a small meal regularly rather than a banquet that is furnished occasionally. Of course DOSMATIC may not be feasible for the small garden but applying the fertilizer manually on a more frequent basis just might be an acceptable program for the mini-sized gardens too.
Expert rosarian John Hefner has helped many rosarians grow better roses. He has lectured at numerous National and District rose meetings. One tidbit of advice that John gave in a past seminar involved heat stress on roses. Although I had refrained from watering foliage because I had the mistaken idea that wetting the leaves would help incubate the dreaded blackspot. I knew that blackspot would develop on moisturized leaf tissue. For that reason, the watering hose was never directed anyplace except around the base of the rose bush. Later, I realized that water did not cause blackspot. The culprit was failure to spray timely. Chemically treated plants can withstand the watered foliage. John knew this and frequently gave his roses a shower of water when elevated temperatures would threaten his bushes with stress. Acting on his advice, it has been my practice to shower my bushes with water in periods of elevated heat. When I do this I can almost hear my bushes sing for joy as the cooling shower of water bathes them. Thanks to John for this helpful advice. It's another case of "proof of the pudding" that roses love water and giving them a shower in stressful heat periods will do wonders for their health.
Next to blackspot, the most feared enemy attacking my roses is the ravenous spider mite. They come in hordes, like thieves in the night, to devastate rose leaves as their sucking action drains the very life of the bush if the bush stands untreated. Actually a funeral is in store for them if protection is not furnished. To cope with this, I have used various miticides. Limited success has been my experience simply because I started too late to combat the onslaught. The plant damage caused by mite infestation is quick. Consequently, it pays the rosarian to use preventive action, for warm soil brings the "critters" out in colonies of thousands. I had long heard that water was a good remedy for mites but was a "doubter" until this year. I felt its application would only "cool" the mites and they would quickly crawl back on the plant. This year, I decided to give water a try. I purchased a PVC pipe "mite buster" and set about to flood the critters. On a timely basis - three times a week - a steady stream of jet-propelled water bathes the underside of my plants. This action, coupled with miticide spraying, kept the mites at bay. Less damage is the result and mite-free bushes grace my garden. Yes, water will help. Just another case of "proof of the pudding" made clear to me.
There are other cases that I could discuss but those I have mentioned stand out in my mind. The moral of the story - "try it, you'll like it and your roses will like it even more."