how do I know when to cut my roses back? my rose has not flowered in 2 years and i dont know if it me the soil or what. It lost it leaves 2 times this past season but comes back healthier than before so now i need to know what to do to get to grow and give me flowers...
I am a native Floridian. My Grandmother started me on roses when I started walking. She was very special and everything would grow for her. Forty years later, I have my own very large rose garden with many varieties. I have had no problems growing beautiful roses. I mean we are talking South Florida zone 9 hotness. Just make sure you start with good soil, which can be purchased in any local area- load your own truck, or they will bring it to you and it is not that expensive. Make sure you spend the time and money to purchase good bare root roses-Jackson & Perkins, David Austin, or Chamblee's. All they need is love, water, food and sometimes pest control. If you run into a big problem contact the ARS they have people with great suggestions. Roses in Florida, I say NO PROBLEM, ENJOY and happy gardening.
I'm a recent transplant to Pasco County (Zephyrhills) from Ontario Canada and while I've only been here a few months, I already miss my roses (silly considering that they're only just starting to bud now). I purchased a pair of rose bushes today that I *think* are on Dr. Huey rootstock. Is there any way to find out for sure? (other than watching them die of course) They are "Blue Girl" a lavender coloured tea and "White Magic" which, shockingly, is a white tea.
I'm also wondering if I need to take any special measures with them since I've evidently missed prime transplanting weather.
Thank you very much for any help/advice you can give me.
Generally the roses here are on Dr. Huey unless you see them specifically listed as being on the Florida rootstock Fortuniana, which is VERY helpful for growing modern roses in Florida. Of my 170 or so roses, nearly all are own root Old Roses in the Teas, Chinas, Noisettes, Polyantha and Wichuriana groups. Mine are fed organically and never sprayed and grown in informal cottage style polycultural gardens. I've created rose gardens like that for Florida clients since 1989; I hope this helps you make that HUGE transition. John
Robyn, while Dr. Huey is the most common understock, Multiflora is growing in popularity. If these are from a local nursery/garden center they are probably on Dr. Huey.
I've had equal problems with Multiflora suckering. It looks way different than DH or most modern roses. Set the bud unions 3-4 inches below soil level and you should be fine. I've found that I can get many zone 7 listed roses to grow in my zone 6 garden this way. Blue Girl is one of them. White Magic is a new HT for me this season so I can't say if it will winter. JFK, Honor, Jack Frost and Pascali all winter for me here.
We moved from the San Jose area to the North.. I completely get you missing your roses. ;-)
