![]() ![]() The Platts’ choice of Floribunda roses, including Iceberg which is the world’s most popular Floribunda, means they will encounter fewer problems than with more finicky types of roses. Apart from helping to retain moisture, mulching, of course, has hugely beneficial effects on the life of the soil, encouraging all the fungi, bacteria, and assorted beasties (miscellaneous soil microorganisms) that help to keep the soil healthy which in turn helps to keep the plants growing well too.” Keep in mind that Marriott does not have to worry about moving his thick layer of mulch when he waters since irrigation is confined to a depression that encircles each rose. “It should be at least four inches thick and maintained at that depth. “Mulching is hugely beneficial and absolutely crucial,” he insisted. Marriott also extolled the virtues of mulch in the rose garden. Similarly, a spell of sizzling heat will demand more irrigation than usual, especially with plants during their first two years in the garden. You will need to water more if your soil is sandy, for example, than if it is more like clay. It is necessary to take into consideration all the variables in a given garden spot. Roses once established are great survivors so they might sulk a bit with minimal water but will soon revive once plentiful water returns.” He mentioned an acquaintance “who grows roses very well in Arizona and applies about 6 gallons of water a week (per rose bush) during the summer.”īear in mind that watering schedules depend on soil type and weather conditions. “Two good soakings a week should be perfectly adequate,” Marriott continued, “and I’m sure they’ll survive without much problem on less. Thus you would mulch out to the depression dug around each rose. ![]() Marriott was referring to the fact that most of the roots that absorb water and minerals are concentrated along the drip line or canopy perimeter of any tree or shrub. Under the right conditions, however, it may be activated at the expense of your plants. ![]() Phytophthora is present in most soils but in a dormant state. The Platts’ wondering about “pulling mulch away when watering and putting it back in place afterwards” is something to consider since the devastating water mold known as Phytophthora thrives in constantly moist soil during the summer. When roots are stressed, metabolites that repel insects may not be synthesized or, alternatively, metabolites that attract insects may be overproduced. Although wet leaves can lead to fungus disorders and this is one of the reasons drip irrigation is recommended as opposed to spray sprinklers, deadly plant diseases nearly always have a “root cause,” as plant decline frequently begins when roots are invaded by a debilitating soil-dwelling fungus.Įven when plants are infested with aphids or other insect pests, the condition of the roots could be the major contributing factor to the insects’ attraction to the plant. Perhaps it’s worth noting here that when seeking the source of a problem in any area of life, we often say we are searching for the “root cause.” I can’t help wondering if the first person to use that expression was a gardener. The plant is either not getting enough water or what is far, far more likely, too much. When evaluating a sick plant, water is nearly always involved in its pathological condition. In a nutshell, this email wisely addresses what is both the most essential need of plants and the most common cause of their demise: water. When they are watered, should the mulch be pulled away from the roses? If it’s pulled away, would it help after the watering in hot weather to push the mulch back over the rose bed thinking that would keep the roses moist or would it cause root rot?” Is watering each rose ten minutes with a hose at its base enough water or too much? There is a layer of mulch (wood chips) of approximately 3 inches which covers the rose bed. “We have decided to water Tuesdays and Saturdays. “Due to our last water bill,” they wrote. Like all of Southern California, La Habra is under water restrictions and irrigation is allowed only three days a week. They have six hybrid tea tree roses, six floribunda roses and five Iceberg roses. ![]() I received an email from the Platts who garden in La Habra. ![]()
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