From: kathleen@casbs.Stanford.EDU (Kathleen Much)
Subject: Re: Questions about roses and evergreen tree
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1993 20:46:44 GMT

Joseph E. Karolchik writes: 
> I planted a rose bush that was a gift from a friend earlier this
> year.  It has since filled in really nice and is blooming.  I see
> five buds so far.  How do I maintain the bush during the blossom
> period (i.e., remove old blossoms by trimming where?) and what do I
> do after the blossoms are done to ensure that I get good blossoms
> next year too?

Keep the rose well watered if you have dry weather.  Cut off spent
blooms as soon as they look ratty or drop petals; use a sharp knife or
pruning shears and cut on an angle just above a 5-leaflet leaf.  If
the bush is new, don't cut long stems this year, but leave as much
growth as you can so the plant will produce the energy to make strong
roots.  Prune out any spindly canes that rub other canes or grow
toward the center of the bush.  Feed monthly with a good rose food
until about 6 weeks before you expect frost.  If your weather is hot
and dry, mulch with compost.  If you get blackspot or mildew (black
splotches or a white powdery substance on leaves), pick off all
blackspot-infected leaves and discard in the garbage (not the compost
heap), then spray with Benomyl, Funginex, or lime-sulfur. If you get
aphids, squish them or spray them with soapy water.  If you get
Japanese beetles, pick them off and stomp them, join the chemistry
brigade, or bid your rose a sad farewell.  Borrow a book on rose
cultivation from your library for further information, or join your
local rose society.