August rose tasks can be tiresome. But don’t give up yet, better roses will come this fall. Remember that rose blooms will be much smaller in the heat of summer. Water is still the most important ingredient roses need to stay healthy. And since we need to water so much we are also washing out important nutrients. Even when it’s extremely hot, you can still use your favorite water soluble fertilizer to ensure important nutrients are available to your rose roots. Note: If your roses are in containers it is critically important to water them everyday, unless they are planted in enormous containers (10 gallon or more.) If you spray your roses to prevent black spot, please continue to do so. Contact us if you need some advice about controlling black spot.
Towards the end of the month, we recommend that you prune your tallest roses down approximately by 1/3 from the top. And if haven’t applied an organic type fertilizer within the last 6 weeks, do so after pruning. Roses bloom on new wood. In approximately 6 to 8 weeks you will begin to see new, more luxurious blooms.
Stay cool.
