Rose question..

11 years ago

I've got some questions about some roses I planted around Christmas , Don Juan. I've never grown them so this will be my first time, growing roses period. At the time of planting I amended with compost, worm castings, & a slow release fertilizer by ladybug its a 464. Where they are planted also has really good drainage.

I really never noticed anything off with them, other than the fact they really like to grow. But a week ago, I noticed some of the leaves were really yellowing and there were green leaves with yellow spots on them, to include powdery rusty colored patches if you will on the one planted at the corner of my house. The canes are still nice and sturdy and green, I don't see any bugs or anything bothering it, and it is covered in buds, some getting ready to open.

The one in the back yard seems to be okay, but I did notice some of the yellow leaves, they had fallen off and were sitting at the base of the rose. This Don Juan in the backyard has started blooming.

Anyway I haven't watered them, as it has been raining like crazy here in San Antonio. have not given them any fertilizer since I planted them. Should I give them some? What kind? How often? And when do I start them in the future?

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roselee z8b S.W. Texas
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Looking good there. Yes, Don Juan really like to grow!

I've seen the little round yellow spots on roses like in the first picture, but I don't remember off-hand what it is.

Roses are very heavy feeders. I think the pale colored leaves indicate a lack of nutrients. I would clear a space around the base of the rose at least 18 in. on all sides, scratch in maybe 1/4 cup of slow release high quality name brand fertilizer and then cover with mulch as you have above.

A lot of the rose folks use something similar MiracleGro Shake'nFeed, which is a pelleted product. On top of using it once a month, they also feed with a liquid fertilizer once a week for an additional boost. Most 'antique' roses can get by on organic fertilizer, or no extra fertilizer at all, but the modern roses need more to do really well. When I grew a lot of roses I would buy fifty pound bags of both the above through the rose society, so that gives some indication of how much they need.

With all the rain there will be some black spot and mildew; it's mildew is causing the wrinkled up leaves in the first picture at the top of bush, but that should clear up as the weather gets dryer. Although on Don Juan there will be a few leaves getting blackspot from time to time I don't worry about them. I just knock or pick them off.
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