[chrissie B]

i dont know about getting the alfalfa but will look into the rabbit poo .
how many times through the
 year would you put it on the roses :?:
chrissie b

[Trillium]

Early spring, midsummer and late fall. The first 2 keep the plant green and growing, the 3rd enriches the roots for winter and acts as some mulch.

[chrissie B]

well i have planted bananas under all my roses and i have to say that there is a marked improwment in the blooms , i just wished that they had a perfume , i asked every time in the garden centre but they just bung you any old thing here , i dont know is there a way to make roses smell  :?: apart from spraying with my good perfume.
chrissie b

[Trillium]

Fragrance is either bred into the rose, or it isn't. Oft times, breeders will sacrifice scent for something else they consider important, like reblooming, or a colour or striping, etc. The heat of the day usually releases any fragrance, if any. Sounds like you're at the mercy of your sellers.  :cry:

[muntjac]

when you prune em for winter .just drop the manure on the surface around the roses asnd it will break down with the cold etc

[new_2_veg]

i have a question about roses

i have 2 roses that we planted and never seamed to do that well, i want to dig them up and plant in big pots until they seam ready to be planted again

whats the best way to prune the for this? and also the best time to do so?

[muntjac]

in winter prune at a new leaf joint 1/2 inch from the actual knub  about 8 inch . replant adding bone meal and some well rotted manure . remove old soil in a bucket water checking for beasties in the root mass .. replant as new roses.upto the original root scarring, tromp down to remove any trapped air or spaces ..dont water

[WG.]

Can you also strike cuttings from the prunings or when should cuttings be taken please?

[muntjac]

never done it WG, perhaps somebody else has

[new_2_veg]

i have room in our utility room so think i may gibe cuttings ago, would i need to wet root or use rooting powder>?

nathan

[muntjac]

http://www.gardenseeker.com/roses/taking_rose_cuttings.htm

[new_2_veg]

super thanks i will give it a go

n2v

[Trillium]

WG, you need to know if the rose is a grafted one or not. Grafteds won't live the following year in your climate which is why they were on hardier rootstock to begin with. All tea roses are hybrids.
Non grafteds will definitely take from cuttings in spring, strong green growth , slice base clean, dip in hormone powder for best results, pot in sand or sand mix, water and watch. Any with rose hips, just plant the seed from the hips.

[WG.]

Mine are miniature roses.   I took a few cuttings into the conservatory today (not optimistic) so will try a few more in Spring.  Thanks

[Trillium]

Miniature roses will grow from cuttings as they're not on grafted rootstock. I have several that I leave outside all winter and they come back yearly on their own, tough little beggars. Mind, I do mulch them well for winter.