Summertime Care of Roses and Crape Myrtles

Roses also need special care during hot weather. During the summer, many area gardeners lose interest in their roses because summer heat promotes small, faded flowers of poor quality. However, if gardeners are persistent, proper care during July and August will insure attractive foliage and an abundance of flowers throughout the fall and early winter.

Poor cultural practices and neglect during summer months will weaken plants and make it harder for them to withstand rugged winter conditions. Here are some suggestions on summer care of roses:

1. As flowers fade and petals fall, remove old flowers. Otherwise, food and energy will go into seed production rather than plant growth and flower production.

2. When removing spent flowers, cut just above the second 5-leaflet leaf above the main cane or branch.

3. Apply ½ pound of a slow-release fertilizer such as 19-5-9 every month as new growth develops following a flowering cycle. Do not fertilize after August 15, so that plants can mature and be less susceptible to winter injury.

4. During hot, dry weather, water rose beds thoroughly every week to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.

5. Control blackspot and mildew by spraying with Funginex or a fungicide containing bayleton every 7 to 10 days from the time new growth starts in the spring, and continue applications throughout the growing season until frost.

For more information about growing roses, see:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/publications/roses/rose.html