Roses

Last post 10-08-2012 11:45 PM by courierdude. 1 replies.

• 10/08/2012 10:30 PM

  crazy Location: portsmouth Joined on: 14 Jul 2012 Posts: 17

  Reply | Contact Hi Everyone I have a question regarding Roses I recently moved into a new home which has a lot of old roses they aint looking their best I tryed fertilizer and rose feed but the main problem is the stems are like old wood I was thinking of cutting them to the ground but am not sure if I should at this time of year? also one of them has a very large base its almost like a giant knuckle does anyone have an idea how to reduce this or is it meant to be like that? all knowledge greatly received

• 10/08/2012 11:45 PM

  In reply to

  courierdude Location: cambs/suffolk border Joined on: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 211

  Reply | Contact i would chop them down and leave at least 6-10 inches poking out of the ground. it is still growing season and if there is any life in them you would see it produce the odd shoot here and there. if you have no luck with that have a poke around the base where the rootball is with a bamboo cane just to check that there are no obvious hollows/air pockets where there should be soil. otherwise no point just leaving thorny stems in the ground. cutting back hard usually does the trick. scrape little bits of the bark and see if there are any green signs of life to be found. good luck energy follows thought