Few plants evoke the
romance of the garden as much as the rose. The image of a rose blossom is, for
many, the perfect symbol of sensual delight, a Valentine's Day prize worth
seeking at any price. However, for many Central Texans, the rose also stands as
an emblem of gardening disaster, an unattainable ideal marred by plagues of
aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew, and black spot. For others, the price of
romance comes too high, after all, what is the value of a blossom laden with
toxic pesticides and fungicides?
Fortunately, a new wave
of organic rose growers is showing us the way to harvest bouquets of these
precious blooms without having to condemn our backyards to chemical warfare.
The key comes in selecting the right plants, making sure that they are planted
correctly, and providing a little gentle intervention when problems arise.
Choosing the right rose
is not an easy task, there are so many tempting options.
I have found that impulse buying usually results in disappointment, so be sure
to do a little research before hand, or you will end up being dazzled by the
descriptions provided by the nurseries and catalogs. Also, ask yourself exactly
what you are hoping for from your plant. Do you want the picture perfect
blossoms of a hybrid tea rose, just like what you would expect from a florist?
Or, would you be happy with a smaller flower that may provide more fragrance?
Hybrid tea roses have
suffered over ten years of bad publicity, scorned as disease prone garden
wards. However, I have found that there are many vigorous hybrid tea cultivars
to choose from. In fact, of all the roses I have ever grown, the most disease
resistant plant I have ever encountered is a red hybrid tea called
"Olympiad." A friend gave me this plant back in the mid-eighties, and
it is still producing blooms year after year. It lacks the fragrance that I
treasure from other roses, but you quickly discover that, with these plants,
each has strengths and weaknesses. Other hybrid teas to consider are the
renowned pink and yellow "Peace", the deep red "Mister
Lincoln", and "Tropicana" for those who prefer orange tones. The
Austin Rose Society, which sponsors a rose pruning demonstration in the Zilker
Botanical Gardens every February, is the best source for tips on other proven
hybrid teas for our area.
If hybrid teas have been
getting a bum rap, the old fashioned roses have enjoyed ten years of breathless
hype. They are touted as being nearly bullet proof, requiring little if any
care. My reaction to that is to say, "buyers beware!"
Sure, there are many incredibly tough and rewarding old fashioned roses, the
true old homestead and cemetery survivors of lore. However, in my experience, I
have found that many old fashioned roses are just as susceptible to black spot
and aphids as the hybrid teas. Again, a little research can save you lots of
time and money. The toughest ones I have encountered are the happy go-lucky
"Martha Gonzales," the petite and sweetly fragrant "Marie Pavie,"
the irrepressible "Mutabalis" (also known as the butterfly rose,) and
"Cecile Brunner," which sports small pink blooms.
After choosing the type
of rose that most appeals to you, the most important consideration is the
condition of the plant itself. You can often tell if a plant will be a vigorous
producer, or if it's on the fast track to the compost heap, just by looking at
it. Are the canes thick and green, the foliage untainted? Has it been cared for
and properly pruned, or has it been crowded into a shady nursery bed? Never
select a plant that is already in evident need of rescue.
The biggest mistake that
folks make when it comes to roses is planting them in a place where the soil
hasn't been adequately prepared and there isn't enough sun. Even though roses
love water they need excellent drainage, they cannot remain water logged. So,
don't plunk yours down in
You can control most
pests and diseases with three non-toxic substances: baking soda, soap, and BT
(a.k.a. bacillus thuringiensis or "bio-worm killer.") To control
black spot and powdery mildew, use a mix of four heaping teaspoons of baking
soda in a gallon of water with just a drop or two of liquid soap. When applied
with a pump sprayer, this gives effective control. For aphids and spider mites
simply use about four to five tablespoons of liquid soap per gallon of water
and spray the critters down. This soapy solution suffocates the insects. Use
the BT for the chewing worms and caterpillars of early spring.
All of this may sound daunting, but if you take the plunge with your eyes wide open, your Valentine's Day investment this year will provide romance and roses for years to come.