We sprayed Sunday and the WP goes in the mix. Even my Japanese maples are looking good still in this heat wave. Beerhog convinced me to spray the peonies with WP..the foliage still looks good and they are usually toast by now. It won't correct the crispy leaves you are already seeing but should help the rest.

"We sprayed Sunday and the WP goes in the mix."
What do you mean goes in the mix? Are you combining it with the rose spray?

Yep..using it as a spreader/sticker.

I think i'm going to need some more information. That sounds like a great idea. What do you mix it with and what all do you spray it on.
And by the way, it's getting closer to the end of the season for the roses! Are you going to be giving classes on what to prune and when to prune???? lol

We mix the WP with the fungicides we spray the roses with..and we use that mix on everything we spray with WP..Japanses maples, peonies, and the "ugly plant" as Ron calls it (Henry Lauder's Walking Stick). This has been the best that the "ugly plant" has ever looked! Usually, by this time of year the foliage is ragged looking and I've been tempted to strip the leaves. He's looking good this year with the WP.

As to pruning the roses, we do our major pruning in the spring when the forsythia is blooming. It's a pretty good gauge that spring is really here. Right now, I'm pruning some after each flush to keep the bushes looking good and from getting top heavy. With your HTs and FLs, you can cut them back pretty hard in September for that good October final flush. It's usually as good as the spring flush. You are welcome to run down some weekend and I'll give you a lesson. I don't charge anything for the lesson..but you must demonstrate you new skills on at least 50 of my bushes! (I'm behind)

Hi, first post, been reading for quite a while though. I only have five roses, three of which were planted this year. Two have been planted for at least three years. The only pruning I've ever done is to "deadhead" the spent blooms. The tags for the older two roses say that they're Hybrid Tea roses. They would probably benefit from a good pruning, but I'm not sure exactly how or how much to whack! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Mama, the older hybrid teas would benefit from some pruning. Moderate pruning late August, early September will get you a better fall bloom. I'd cut them back to strong, fairly large canes..maybe 1/3 of the bush removed.

The younger bushes can be pruned lightly, too, to shape them and remove any weak canes. And don't be afraid that you will do it wrong..you can't hardly do it! I've been known to take the hedge loppers to some kinds of roses and they were fine.

I found a pretty good article linked below. They are speaking about the early spring pruning but the same technique applies to pruning late summer..just maybe not as short and don't strip the leaves off the bushes..they need those now.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pruning instructions

Kaye, thank you so much for the article. Just the information I needed for my tea roses and the two new climbers that I planted this year. The article mentions dormant spraying, but if I'm leaving foliage, I don't want to do that, correct?? What do you recommend as a good rose spray?

Dormant spray is done before the roses start growing in the spring..right after the pruning when the forsythias bloom and there are no leaves. Daconil is the chemical of choice then and you can get it at most of the local nurseries or co-ops. We actually do several sprays with the Daconil (and Wilt-Pruf) thru the winter months to kill any overwintering fungi. A good spray program thru the growing months helps keep the roses healthy..especially modern roses like hybrid teas. There are several programs you can use and if you only have a couple of roses, most can be purchased locally. Let me know if you need more info or email me direct..could be absolutely boring for the rest!

Kaye,

This is for you. I thought you might find it interesting.

"Hi and thanks for your email. I would not use Wilt-Pruf on
Japanese maples. It is good for conifers. We have reports
of problems on Japanese maples from Wilt-Pruf.

We use Pro-teKt, which has silicon in it. You mix the
Pro-teKt with water (1/4 teaspoon to a gallon of water), and
water the tree, which takes the silicon up through the roots
and puts it in the leaf cell walls to strengthen them to
prevent tip burn from sun, heat, and wind. We carry it, but
you may be able to find it locally. It is used once a week
between other waterings.

More sun = more water, and the tree wants perfect drainage.
I am sure you have mulched it well - just don't let the
mulch touch the trunk."

I'd love to see the "reports". Could compare them with mine. I've been using WP on the Japanese maples with no problems for 4 years..but mine are in partial shade, remember? Might be different if the trees were in full sun..but it doesn't bother the roses and I wouldn't be afraid to try it..ot at least on a portion of the tree to see what it does. I only use 1/4 cup per gallon of water, too..much less that the ratio suggested on the label. They don't sell WP..but they do sell the product they recommended..hmmmm

I forgot about the shade. Mine is in full sun. But you could be right about them selling the other product!! hmmmm is right. lol

I use it on my maples and they are in the sun. Only problem I have is that I have no leaf burn. Sounds like someone trying to sell something to me.

What type of maples beerhog?

They are the red leafed japanese maples. I think they are bloodgood.

I have 1 gallon off wily proof how much water do i add?

Do you mean "Wilt Pruf" or do you have something else?