Q.
My roses are not what they should be.
Not sure why but here is what I think. The plants we buy are not the
same quality purchased 10 years ago, no matter the cost. The alkaline water has
destroyed the soil and I am not using enough soil sulfur.
My roses are not what they should be.
Not sure why but here is what I think. The plants we buy are not the
same quality purchased 10 years ago, no matter the cost. The alkaline water has
destroyed the soil and I am not using enough soil sulfur.
.JPG)
A.I do not agree. Rose producers, such as Weeks Roses, ship good quality roses
when they leave their production facility. What happens to the roses after they
leave their facility has some impact on the quality of the rose that you can
purchase.
First is the shipper. If the shipper is
a good one, they can arrive in the nursery in good condition. Damage to plants
can occur in shipping.
a good one, they can arrive in the nursery in good condition. Damage to plants
can occur in shipping.
Secondly are plant brokers. Sometimes plant
materials are handled by so-called “middlemen”, typically called plant brokers. Sometimes the
brokers ship directly from the producers. Sometimes plant brokers have their
own facilities and hold plant materials for a period of time. Damage can occur
during plant brokerage.
materials are handled by so-called “middlemen”, typically called plant brokers. Sometimes the
brokers ship directly from the producers. Sometimes plant brokers have their
own facilities and hold plant materials for a period of time. Damage can occur
during plant brokerage.
Finally the retail outlet may mishandle
the plant materials in the nursery prior to sale. Shopping at mass
merchandisers or those companies which offer the lowest possible price will
affect the quality of the plant. They shop around for the best possible deal
they can get. This can mean the plants that have been held for quite a while
because they could not be sold.
the plant materials in the nursery prior to sale. Shopping at mass
merchandisers or those companies which offer the lowest possible price will
affect the quality of the plant. They shop around for the best possible deal
they can get. This can mean the plants that have been held for quite a while
because they could not be sold.
Anytime you hold plant materials for
long periods of time the quality of those plants would be affected. Count on
it. This is why the producer can start with high quality material and end up
with a garbage with their name on it at a retail outlet six months later.
long periods of time the quality of those plants would be affected. Count on
it. This is why the producer can start with high quality material and end up
with a garbage with their name on it at a retail outlet six months later.
There is definitely a difference in
quality among producers of roses. But all these other factors will affect the
quality of the product available to you. To avoid this as much as possible, do
your rose shopping when shipments of roses first come in to the store. Minimize
the time they stay at a retail outlet. Buy roses from a reputable grower such
as Weeks Roses. I know at least one
nursery in Las Vegas carried Weeks Roses this past spring. They probably had
trouble selling them, particularly in this economy because they cost more.
http://www.weeksroses.com/
quality among producers of roses. But all these other factors will affect the
quality of the product available to you. To avoid this as much as possible, do
your rose shopping when shipments of roses first come in to the store. Minimize
the time they stay at a retail outlet. Buy roses from a reputable grower such
as Weeks Roses. I know at least one
nursery in Las Vegas carried Weeks Roses this past spring. They probably had
trouble selling them, particularly in this economy because they cost more.
Lastly, buy varieties of roses that do
well in our desert climate. I have attached a list of roses that do well here
for you to look at. I also posted this list on my blog.
Roses for Hot Dry Climates
well in our desert climate. I have attached a list of roses that do well here
for you to look at. I also posted this list on my blog.
Roses for Hot Dry Climates
The alkaline water does not destroy the
soil. Water high in sodium can damage soil structure, be toxic to plants and
cause serious growing problems. Unless
you are using softened water from your water softener, local water used for
irrigation should not be a problem.
soil. Water high in sodium can damage soil structure, be toxic to plants and
cause serious growing problems. Unless
you are using softened water from your water softener, local water used for
irrigation should not be a problem.
The five tenets for growing roses successfully
in the desert include: start with good quality plant material; choose the right
microclimate in your landscape; amend your garden soil at the time of planting;
cover the soil with wood mulch after planting; and use appropriate management
which includes irrigation, fertilizer applications, pest control and pruning.
in the desert include: start with good quality plant material; choose the right
microclimate in your landscape; amend your garden soil at the time of planting;
cover the soil with wood mulch after planting; and use appropriate management
which includes irrigation, fertilizer applications, pest control and pruning.