JANUARY IN THE ROSE GARDEN

By Sandy Lundberg

 

Even though January is a time to relax from some of the garden chores, there are a few things that should be done.  The most essential is making sure that your plants are well watered if there is not enough rain.  The freezing temperatures are tolerated better by a well hydrated plant.   Be sure to water plants in pots several times a week.

It is important to spray for fungus diseases at least once, preferably twice, during the months of January and February.   During this period, you should spray with lime/sulphur in order to kill any disease spores or insects that have managed to survive the freezing temperatures.  Be sure to spray the tops and undersides of the foliage and spray the ground.

Although, we generally do not have to protect the roses for freezes here in the Lowcountry, any new bushes planted in the fall might need some protection.

After a couple of hard freezes, any tall stems that could twist and break in the winter winds should be topped taking off about a third of the bushes’ height.

 

“SHOVEL PRUNING”

January is a time to take a very critical look at your plants.  It may be time to remove some weak plants that have not performed well over the past year or two.  It is probably time to stop wasting time, energy and money on them.  Order a new replacement for that hole

 

SOIL and SOIL AMENDMENTS

We like to take soil samples during this time of year when the garden activities are lighter than usual.  It also allows time to make any necessary adjustments recommended by the soil test before the spring growing season begins.  A sandwich bag half full is the amount needed for the test.  When you take the sample, be sure to get samples from several different locations in the bed.

We take some samples to the Clemson Extension Office for testing.  Be sure to designate that the samples are for roses.

During January, you can spread your organic mix and scratch it in lightly.  It will not cause the plant to start growing until the soil warms up in the spring.  We like to use 3 cups of Purely Organic per hybrid tea, floribunda and other large roses such as shrubs and polyanthas.  We use 1 cup per bush for the minis and minifloras.