Don Juan

13 years ago

This is the third year for my Don Juan, and so far this year has had two blooms - it didn't do much better last year. Other than that it looks very healthy, I use alfalfa, a little epsom salt, no spray.

I mostly grow own root OGR's, but this rose is grafted, and I did not prune it all this year.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

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Comments (8)

ibanez540r
13 years ago
Is it growing straight up or are you tying canes horizontally?
ogrose_tx
Original Author
13 years ago
It's freestanding and the canes are like an umbrella. I did take a closer look and the laterals are just taking off good. Maybe I'm just in too much of a hurry.
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ibanez540r
13 years ago
Hmm... yeah I dunno. I'm not one of the resident experts, but my DJ is in it's second year and looking very promising. Last year it was put in in spring, had a great flush, then sporadic flowers throughout the season, but cane growth was crazy. It probably doubled, to tripled in size!
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
13 years ago
I think Don Juan might be one that really appreciates an extra boost of nitrogen fertilizer. I've started using organic fertilizers only, but although my home made organic mixture contains fish meal, plus I added lots of compost around the roots, it seems my 10/12 year old Don Juan is not pumping out the new blooms and fresh foliage like it used to so I'm considering trying some blood meal to get it going. We'll see if it works and then I'll know for sure. To add to this supposition I also noticed that it did the best and bloomed the most in those rarely occuring springs in which we had a lot of rain. Rain contains a form of nitrogen and Don Juan is my front door rose so it gets the run off from the roof. So perhaps your plant needs a little extra nitrogen in what ever form you want to use. Hope this helps. Happy rose growing!
ogrose_tx
Original Author
13 years ago
From reading your messages I'm beginning to think Don Juan is just having a slow time of getting going, because the first year seemed to be his growth year, and last summer didn't really do much of anything and I don't remember laterals of any kind, but this year they are just starting to show some growth, and I see a new shoot coming out, so will keep my finger crossed!

Roselee, I will definitely add some blood meal and see if that helps.

Thank you, everyone!
buford
13 years ago
I have an own root DJ that is in its 3rd year and also growing very slowly. This is my 3rd DJ. My first two were body bags that did very well, but succumbed to cold winters (even here in Georgia!). I am going to try the extra nitrogen. I've only given my roses compost and manure this year. After the first flush, I'm doing alfalfa, blood & bone meal and some cotton seed meal. I'll give DJ and extra dose.
ibanez540r
13 years ago
I know many of you try to stay organic, but I use the Bayer All in one Rose soak every 4-6 weeks and works great. great growth, no disease, can't complain.

^ BUFORD - I can't believe you had it that bad with georgia winter!!! This was the first winter for my DJ here in CLEVELAND OHIO (terrible winters) and I was sooo worried it was going to be very bad, as i learned after putting it in that they are not very tolerant at all. Well, spring just started not too long ago and I had almost NO dieback whatsoever!
saldut
13 years ago
I have over a dozen DJs all on Fort., some are 30 years old and gotten huge.... I love them, they are at the back of my rose beds because they are so tall... I tie the canes down horizontally and they put out these verticals all along the canes, so I tie the verticals also and they always seem to be in bloom... they are heavy feeders and I give them lots of Alfalfa and Black Hen and Milorganite also lots of water, they do BS here in central Fla. but there are other shorter roses in front so the bare-knees are not noticed... sally