62 I http://www.thegardener.co.za
Give more water
Roses grow faster in September than at any other time, and for that
they need deep watering. Water availability at root level, especially
now, determines the length of the stems and the size of leaves and
flowers. It also develops a strong bush with new basal stems and
strong roots, making it more resilient to adverse conditions. Water
twice a week and mulch the surface of the soil to keep it cool and
moist. If the soil is compact or was not improved after pruning, dig in
organics (including compost) to a depth of 30cm. This allows water to
easily reach the roots. Drench after digging.
YOUR ROSE GARDEN
TEXTLudwigTaschnerSoft pinch
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Next month is Rose Month, when the roses need very little encouragement to bloom their
heads off. That may be so, but with the right treatment in September the roses will delight
not only in October but can also be set up to flower well for the rest of the season.Extend the flowering by finger pruning
Remove a third of all new shoots just before the shoots form a flower
bud. This extends the flowering flush so that it appears as if the
flush has lasted twice as long. This staggered flowering is carried on
throughout the season.
New growth starts from the top of the pinched shoots and will be
growing when the other un-pinched shoots are flowering. It’s also good
for the roots because the roots are encouraged to absorb a balance of
nutrients for new growth and flower development. It encourages new
basal shoots, which gives the bush its framework for the new season.
Shoots to pinch off are those that are too close together or in
competition with each other – pinch out one of them. Also pinch out
weak stems or those that are growing to the inside of the bush. Any
number of shoots can be pinched; between three and six will achieve
the expected result.
You can do a soft pinch or a hard pinch. A soft pinch removes just
the tip of the still-undeveloped, folded-up leaves at the top of the stem.
Expect one new stem from each soft pinch. A hard pinch snips off the
upper three or four leaves. Expect two or three new stems from a hard
pinch.
* Finger Pruning is not necessary for climbers, Colourscape varieties,
Icebergs and most floribundas.Hard pinch