skip to main content

Help! I'm a newbie

humble5zone9atx

12 years ago

I live in Houston, TX and I've always loved roses and this year I bought 6. Three David Austin roses from Heirloom and Strike it Rich, Heart of Gold, and Memorial Day from Houston Garden Center.

I've only received 2 roses from Heirloom (Abe Darby, Graham Thomas) and am waiting on the 3rd (Heritage). The two DA roses are quite small since they are own root and already have buds on them. Should I let them flower or have them put their energy into growing?

I've already fertilized all my roses with a fish fertilizer, is there anything else I should do?

Thanks,

Yvette

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

michaelg
12 years ago
Disbudding definitely helps small plants grow faster. I let one bloom develop so I can see what I have (it might be mislabeled) and then remove all the flower buds for a while. If they are just rooted cuttings with one or two very small shoots, I think it's too soon to let a bud develop--pinch them out. If the plants are stronger, with several new shoots, I would let one bud develop now and pinch the rest.

The tiny plants need 1/2 gal of water every two days, or maybe every day in your climate. Gradually increase the amount and the interval as the plants grow.
lovemysheltie
12 years ago
I am not a big fan of fertilizing newly planted roses, I usually just give them some nice compost. If you haven't yet, I would suggest you give them a nice thick mulch like a shredded bark one. Keeps soil moist and weeds down and also looks so much nicer than bare soil. Also, I usually make a little round 'moat' around the rose to trap rainwater or sprinkler water.

A lot of rose growers actually pinch off the new buds so the rosebush can put its energy into growing but I never do that because 1) I am greedy and I want to enjoy the blooms :D & 2) If you let the bud bloom, you can at least make sure you didn't get a mislabelled rose. I grow Graham Thomas, Heritage & Abe Darby and I LOVE them. You're in for a treat when they bloom.

Have fun!
Related Discussions
Help, I'm a complete newbie
Q
Comments (10)
1) Check with your state's Extension Service. Each county should have it's own Cooperative Extension Office which provides free publications and information for the asking. They will have valuable vegetable/gardening tables available specifically for your area determined by universities, and horticultural research scientists have collected data from growing those crops in your state. See how detailed these examples are: Vegetable Planting and Planning Calendar for Missouri (download the pdf) complete with spring and fall planting dates (underneath the spring planting dates for appropriate crops), how much to plant per person, etc. They can also tell you the average last frost date for your area and ideal planting times for specific crops and varieties in your area. Here is an excerpt: 2) Get your soil tested by a lab. You actually save time and money by only adding what you need based on an accurate soil test. Check with your state's Extension Service. They'll tell you what you need to do to get it tested. It's usually only $6.00 -$12.00 (mine was only $9.00) which is comperable to what home kits cost but don't tell you nearly as much as a lab can tell you. Then you won't be guessing as to what state your soil is in or wasting money on amendments you don't need. They'll tell you exactly how much of what elements you need to add to your soil per square foot (if any). 3) Do you want to ingest pesticides? Do you need to take antibiotics if you're not sick? If you grow your own vegetables, then you can actually control what you put in your body. The only reason to use pesticides or herbicides is if you have a problem and do not want to use natural methods of control. Just start browsing the existing threads in this forum. You'll learn a ton.
...See More
Jade Plant Pruning Specifics
Q
Comments (3)
yours will eventually look like section 2 with some age. if you want it to come like picture 1 then you just pluck off the bottom leaves and let it grow up straight. once its to the height you want it you can start back budding it to make it more bushy. Jades are a pretty bushy plant so as long as you rotate it in a bright sunny window you should get a good bushy tree. Hope i helped!
...See More
Did I start to WS too early in Zone 6
Q
Comments (3)
I do not think you lost anything by sowing so early unless maybe you sowed seeds like peas and beans and corn that may rot sitting in water so long. Good Luck
...See More
Will it be okay?
Q
Comments (3)
Looks like normal bush type tomatoe, with thick leaves. If the color of leaves is nice greent then it is fine. If they are dark green, has been fertilized too much already. If they are very ligh and yellowish green, then need fertilizer.
...See More
seil zone 6b MI
12 years ago
If they are very small bands you might want to pot them up for a while and let them get a little larger before putting tem right into the ground. You'll also be able to give a little extra TLC easier in pots.
humble5zone9atx
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the advice, I see that I've done some things wrong. I received the Heritage rose today right after I wrote the 1st post so I'll pot that one for a month. I was able to pot the other 2 Heirloom roses for 2 weeks while the flower bed was built.
zeffyrose
12 years ago
Welcome to the rose world----There are many nice helpful folks here----You have already received some good advice---

Enjoy your new roses.

Florence
harmonyp
12 years ago
ycavaz - don't kick yourself for doing anything "wrong". You've come to the right place to get great advice. Now have fun and enjoy the journey.
catsrose
12 years ago
I don't pot up my bands--I just put them straight in the ground. I also don't water as often as Michael suggests unless it is blazing hot, but I have lots of clay in my soil. You want the soil to be a little moist but not wet. Roses' root will rot if they are always wet-wet. So, there are not too many hard and fast rules. Your best advise will come from others in your area. Chamblee Roses, in Tyler, is another good source.

Related Stories

Help! I'm a Minimalist, My Child is a Maximalist

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

8 Ways to Corral the Kids' Stuff

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

PAINTING Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes — Now What?

By Jennifer Ott Design

If you’ve spattered paint on your favorite jeans, here’s what to do next

LIGHTING Help! I Need a Light!

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

LIFE You Said It: ‘Just Because I’m Tiny Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Go Big’

By Becky Harris

Changing things up with space, color and paint dominated the design conversations this week

HOUSEKEEPING Three More Magic Words to Help the Housekeeping Get Done

By Alison Hodgson

As a follow-up to "How about now?" these three words can help you check more chores off your list

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

DECORATING GUIDES Houzz Call: What Home Collections Help You Feel Like a Kid Again?

By Mitchell Parker

Whether candy dispensers bring back sweet memories or toys take you back to childhood, we'd like to see your youthful collections

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Scentuous is really lovely

23

Why? Heirloom Roses! WHY?

62

Bliss is indeed a good name

9

Help with unusual problem for knockout rose

7

Your Best Cutting Roses

11