September Featured Rose: Bordeaux
Bordeaux is an Heirloom Rose, a hardy scrub floribunda loved for its light fragrance and amazing 3 1/2 – 4” red wine blossoms. The picture is from the garden of Sammy Stevens, Rose Committee secretary and member of Tulsa Rose Society.
What To Do In September
1. Water: Keep at least two inches of water on your roses weekly for fall growth and remember that water is important all year long. We have had some nice rains this summer in some areas, but others are dry. Check your rose beds regularly and give them a good soaking watering a couple of times a week instead of a little every day.
2. Feeding: it is time for fall weather to start making an appearance and with the cooler weather our roses will grow more. It is time to stop feeding. We do this in time for the roses to go dormant before the first freeze. Organics are good to feed this time of year.
3. Spraying: We need to continue our spraying program until we get that first freeze. With dew on the roses in the morning and a warm afternoon, it is an ideal environment for funguses to grow. Watch for insects and treat as needed. Remember, there are good bugs eating the bad bugs. Your spray will kill the good bugs, too, as fast as the bad bugs.
4. Spider mites: Those little critters are still around and will do significant damage if not treated. The simple solution is to simply wash them off the roses with a water wand with good pressure. This process must be repeated for at least 3 days in a row to break their cycle. If you are going to use chemicals, you must use a miticide and not an insecticide.
5. Mulch: You need to be maintaining and possibly building up your mulch to be ready for winter protection. The mulch will save you on your water bill and help keep the weeds and grass from growing in your beds.
Judy Carter, Tulsa Rose Society
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