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Now that the heat is here, it's
spider mite season. Spider mites establish huge colonies on the underside
of leaves, giving a salt and pepper appearance. One of the first signs of
infestation is the lightening of the lower leaves as the mites suck the
juices.
To prevent spider mites in my
yard, I turn my water wand around and spray the bottom of my bushes at
least once a week, plus I have a low spraying sprinkler that I use to
water. These two seem to do the trick, as I have never had any spider
mites that I know of. Apparently when the mites are washed off rose
bushes, they die on the soil surface, as they can’t fly.
Chemicals that can be used are
Avid©,
a broad-spectrum systemic miticide;, Floramite, a contact selective
miticide/ovicide; and Kelthane, a contact miticide. If you do spray
insecticides or miticides please follow all the directions on the labels
and use the proper safety equipment.
This time of year
while we are also
enjoying all the beautiful blooms on our roses, don’t forget to water,
water, water! Roses need lots of water. Our roses still need fertilizing,
both granular and liquid, but most of us stop fertilizing the end of
August.
Hopefully you are spraying for
black spot and powdery mildew every 7 to 10 days. I alternate sprays,
using Banner Maxx©,
Funginex©,
and Immunox©.
I recommend that you alternate also; then the fungi won’t become immune to
any one spray. Also be sure your plants are well watered before you spray.
It’s a good time of year to
evaluate your roses, which ones are not performing well for you, or you
don’t care for its growing habits or its color or form or whatever. You
could keep these in mind for our rose auction in November. Mark them
somehow and dig them out in November to bring to the auction.
Another evaluation is which roses
do you just love? I liked Gemini so much last year that I bought 4 more
bushes this year. If you are shovel-pruning some roses, you can start
thinking about what you will put in their place. To help in that
decision come on out to the rose garden at Point Defiance Park and take a
look at what grows well in our area.
Also be sure and come to our 2002
picnic at Ralph Taylor’s house and take a look at what he’s growing.
Ralph’s done very well at the rose shows this year, including winning the
Queen of Show at our show and at Valley’s rose show. This is your
opportunity to see his garden and enjoy everyone’s company.
(Webmaster note:
The 2004 picnic will be at the Pt. Defiance Park rose garden. Come and
view the roses there as you make choices for next year's garden.) |
