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Is anyone growing David Austin roses in the Tropics?

10 years ago

Hi all,

This is my first post on this forum. I was hoping to get some feedback on the following.

I'm in love with DA roses and purchased 20, from an online nursery in the US. I am testing if they will thrive in this tropical very humid weather, 30 degrees celsius (86 Fahrenheit), 60-70% humidity, 50% rainfall during 2 rainy seasons (2x3 months). I thought 2-3 hours would be sufficient since the sun can be killing and burn the plant eventually.
They are still in 1 gallon containers but I have prepared raised beds (approx. 10" high) to plant them when they're 6 months or something. The location of the beds are at the East side of my garden and the roses will only get 2-3 hours of direct sunlight (which can be very hot during dry seasons).

I'm curious if there's anyone who has successfully grown DA roses in this climate and if you can provide me with some tips/advice? I really love these roses and would not like to see them die or not flowering.

Hope to get some positive feedback :)
Thanks in advance

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Comments (4)

dublinbay z6 (KS)
10 years ago
I'll be interested to see how your experiment turns out. I don't really know anything about growing DA roses in the tropics, but based on my experiences in the summer heat of the Midwestern USA, I would think that all your rain and humidity (plus limited sunlight) means that you will have major blackspot problems and have to spray a good fungicide a lot to try to keep ahead of those problems. Most of the rose-growers I know are trying to find ways to cut back on or even eliminate their use of fungicides--which may not be good for you or your environment.

I hope you selected DA roses that are listed as "very" or "exceptionally" healthy. Even they will have BS problems, I'd guess, in a very wet environment, but they are still better than the DA roses that are disease magnets.

I hate to discourage you--and I hope you report back next year that I was completely wrong--but I know how much trouble BS is in my drier, sunshiny region, so I can't help but think those may be major problems for you.

Good luck, and let us know how your experiment progresses.

Kate
Ohnie
Original Author
10 years ago
Hello Kate, don't worry. You're not discouraging me :) I have been hearing the same from many different people and also have been reading a lot. I'm just very curious how the DA's will react to this weather and hopefully they will grow into healthy large plants. So far I've tried to focus on good air circulation to prevent BS and I have used Bayer Advanced Control but I'm looking for an organic alternative.

I will post some pictures about my DA project after a couple of months. I noticed that there are hardly any postings about DA roses in the Tropics. I'm located at I'm at latitudes 1ÃÂ° and 6ÃÂ°N, and longitudes 54ÃÂ° and 58ÃÂ°W and only 2 to 5 degrees north of the equator which is very very tropical. Basically similar to Malaysia but less high elevations.

BTW I'd accidentally posted this thread in the General Rose Forum after I discovered the Antique Rose Forum for DA roses. I have posted the same thread in the Antique Forum. If anyone would like to share their experiences or have some great tips please go to http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesant/msg0122043413265.html?2

Thanks again Kate.
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Adam Harbeck
2 years ago
This might be helpful for tropical growers https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/subtropical-surprise/10333054
Jay Zone 10B India
2 years ago
I am growing Falstaff, it is doing great. So far no BS or PM. It is getting ready for another flush will share photos once it blooms. Has no problem with chilli thrips or 48 C heat in summers, blooms don't lose color but just get a bit smaller.

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