Spring Dead Spot... or something else?
Sydney (Zone 5B, DSM, Iowa)
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (16)
dchall_san_antonio
7 years agoSydney (Zone 5B, DSM, Iowa)
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Blush Noisette, Cl. SDLM, or something else entirely?
Comments (13)Thank you Melinda, BelleGallica and Ingrid for your replies. Melinda - your BN is looking fabulous! Well done! And Belle Gallica, yes, I do find the reports about thorny-ness and notoriously unreliable. Another rose I've ordered - Cl. Devoniensis - has been described as 'almost thorn free' as well as 'a thorny devil', so I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Although lack of thorns would be a bonus, the most important things for me in this space would be colour, repeat and fragrance, as it's a fairly prominent spot in my yard. Ingrid - thanks for your input regarding summer exposure. The spot I have in mind for MIP and MEC will receive a lot of sun in summer too, but I've found that bourbons in my yard (well, to be fair, I only have one bourbon - Kathleen Harrop) need plenty of sun to overcome disease, mainly powdery mildew. I don't know how my climate compares to yours, but I live in an elevated location with average summer temps of between 70 and 80 degrees F in summer, with only about 3 weeks worth of days in the 100s. We also get about 12 days of rain each month over summer, with yearly rainfall between 1000-1500mm (40-60 inches) per year. Which is great for my water bill, but it can also lead to disease. So I know some of the blooms will crisp during the really hot periods, but I think overall a sunnier site for mildew-y roses would be preferable. What do you think?...See MoreLeaf disease? Something else?
Comments (4)OK - I'm going to make some general observations and then you can interpret them to fit your specific situation. 1) Planting in clay soils involves a bit of finess. Because clay tends to drain slowly, it is recommended that one dig a wide but quite shallow planting hole, something resembling a big saucer. Site the plant in the hole with the top of the rootball 1-2" (at least) above the existing grade. Backfill with the removed soil only, making a small mound to just the top edge of the rootball. Water in well and use any amendments as a mulch or topdressing only but just around the rootball, not covering the top. Amending individual planting holes is an outdated practice and has been found to be detrimental to the proper establishment of trees and shrubs. This is even more the case when dealing with clay soils. Amending a planting hole in slowly draining clay soil can lead to what's known as the 'bathtub effect' or a pocket of enriched, moisture retentive soil immediately around the rootball and enclosed by the poorly draining clay. In essence, you've planted your tree or shrub in a bathtub full of soggy soil, in which it is not going to be very happy. It can even lead to root rots and death. 2) It is really difficult to rely on plants getting enough water from just rainfall. It depends on how far that rainfall penetrates into the soil profile. When rain comes down fast and hard, it can just sheet off before soaking in.....resulting in things like flash flooding. OTOH, 5+ inches of rain in one month may have left the soil overly saturated and waterlogged. The more you garden, the more you will learn about your soils and how often you need to water. Japanese maples like really well drained soil. If soil stays too wet for too long, it will lead to problems, leaf spotting being just an incidental one. I am concerned about how deeply it was planted in clay and with amended soil and the amount of rainfall you've received since. Factoring in what I've stated above, maybe you should consider replanting?...See MoreI think aphids and something else on my apple tree
Comments (8)The dark aphids could be those that are parasitized, in which case the ladybugs won't be interested. Parasitized aphids are called 'aphid mummies', since the exoskeleton remains in place even though their insides have been devoured by the minute larva of a parasitoid wasp. They aren't the larvae of another type of insect, they are aphids....either black ones or mummies. Glad that the beetles stuck around to do some good! I'm not a fan of using horticultural oils on aphids in the growing season. Where are you located, anyway? You would kill the ladybug larvae and their eggs, as well. But I do know that oil applications in the dormant season can be very effective in smothering the overwintering eggs of those pesky aphids. Spraying the bare stems, branches, and trunk a couple of times over the dormant season can be hugely helpful in curtailing the population that you see in the spring....See MoreI need to replace dead bushes with something else. Oso Easy Roses?
Comments (15)I am not sure if you can get the Shield Rose where you live. This one has survived everything that is thrown at it. I never got around to covering it up for the winter. due to going for therapy on a pulled muscle in my arm and upper thigh. I was afraid it had gone but like wow they all survived but one. Here is one of my Shield or there is the gorgeous Chinook Sunrise. Was having issues but you should see it this year and I never got to cover it up as well. This shield rose is awesome!!! Hah one lady said I should cut it back as I wouldn't get any roses on it. Well it made a liar out of her as it did indeed get roses on it all kinds of beautiful red ones. Even had a bout with the sawfly larvae which I ended up taking out my stool and a measuring cup of hot water and dish detergent and picking them off it by hand. Then when finished I threw the water over our wooden fence with them in it. :) I live north of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. Have yet to see the flowers on the chinook as they were all finished with for the season when I bought it from our nearby garden centre. But have seen pictures of them online. Have yet to see any buds on the shield or the chinook....See MoreUser
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoSydney (Zone 5B, DSM, Iowa)
7 years agoUser
7 years agoUser
7 years agoSydney (Zone 5B, DSM, Iowa)
7 years agoUser
7 years agoSydney (Zone 5B, DSM, Iowa)
7 years agoSydney (Zone 5B, DSM, Iowa)
7 years agoSydney (Zone 5B, DSM, Iowa)
7 years agoSydney (Zone 5B, DSM, Iowa)
7 years ago
Related Stories
DINING ROOMSNew This Week: Proof the Formal Dining Room Isn’t Dead
Could graphic wallpaper, herringbone-patterned floors, wine cellars and fire features save formal dining rooms from extinction?
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES12 Deadly Decorating Sins
Are your room designs suffering from a few old habits? It may be time to change your ways
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Fix Bare and Yellow Lawn Spots
Restore your turf’s good looks by reseeding unsightly patches
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESRoom Doctor: 10 Things to Try When Your Room Needs a Little Something
Get a fresh perspective with these tips for improving your room’s design and decor
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPING10 Ideas for a Spring Home Refresh
Focus your energy on a few key spots to recharge your living space and your outlook
Full StorySPRING GARDENINGSpring Gardens Are Waking — Here’s What to Do in March
Excitement fills the air when gardens come back to life. These guides will help you make the most of yours
Full StoryWINTER GARDENING6 Reasons I’m Not Looking Forward to Spring
Not kicking up your heels anticipating rushes of spring color and garden catalogs? You’re not alone
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGChoose Your Own Spring Cleaning Plan
Instead of trying to do it all, pick one of these six cleaning approaches that’s right for you now
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPING20 Things You Might Be Forgetting to Spring-Clean
Clean these often-neglected areas and your house will look and feel better
Full StoryCOLORColor of the Week: Spring Blossom Yellow
Tired of winter yet? Bring on spring with our featured color of the week
Full Story
User