Roses - Growing Organically (5291)

Using organic growing strategies with roses starts at the very beginning when you select the site for your roses. Roses require at least six hours of full sun per day. The soil should be rich in organic matter and well-drained.

Then select hardy, healthy and vigorous-growing varieties. Look for varieties that are genetically resistant to black spot and other diseases. This genetic resistance will be your best defense against disease problems.

When planting the rose bushes, don't crowd them too closely together. Plant them at the recommended spacing to allow for good air movement and sunlight within the planting. Roses are big drinkers of water, but water your roses carefully. Avoid splashing the leaves when watering. Water the plants in the morning so that any foliage that gets wet will dry quickly during the day. Don't water during the evening hours, since foliage that stays wet overnight is more vulnerable to infection from powdery mildew and other diseases.

Put organic mulching such as shredded wood chips or cocoa bean hulls around the base of plants to conserve moisture and moderate temperatures in the bed.

Good sanitation is critical. Prune roses to eliminate winter-damaged, diseased, and dead canes. Do a good job of cleaning up your roses in fall and early spring. During the growing season, remove leaves that become infected with disease.

With regard to insects, severe infestations are not very common with roses. But be on guard. Safe-to-use insecticidal soaps will kill many insects that you directly spray. Organic chemicals containing pyrethrin or rotenone will kill insects, plus give you some residual insect-killing power. But be advised that although pyrethrin and rotenone are organic, they are still toxic and should be used only when necessary.

New, less-toxic pesticides come on the market constantly. For example, anti-transpirants have been found to block fungus infections if used thoroughly and frequently enough to maintain coverage on new growth. Neem oil, horticultural oils, and fungicides based on materials similar to baking soda are available.

You CAN grow healthy roses organically. Select quality bushes, plant them in a sunny, well-drained location, water and fertilize properly, keep your eyes open and act promptly at the first sign of disease or insects, and practice good sanitation. It's not easy, but your roses will never smell sweeter.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

Feel free to forward, post or reprint any of the "Solutions" in their entirely, but please credit http://www.solutions.psu.edu/ as the original source of information, and please do not change the content.