roses

[Giggsie]

what am I doing wrong? I have a few standard roses the first year they had loads of blooms.Since then every year has got less no sign of life at all this year. Anyone any secrets how to grow nice roses.

[Hawkwalk]

They key to growing roses is pruning, feeding and protecting from pest and disease. If you get these 3 right then you should be ok. Other factors may be affecting their growth such as position, soil conditions, over or under watering and the weather.

Get a good book on roses or look up rose growing on the internet. There is too much detail to write on here.

[Clanad]

You use the term "standard" roses, but that doesn't describe a variety of rose plant... at least here in the U.S. I've grown roses for many years under fairly harsh conditions in the western U.S. at altitudes of nearly 5,000 feet above sea level with winter temperature reaching -30 degrees F. We have to cover and mulch the plants.

Many people enjoy the lovely varitey known as Tea Roses, since they approximate the one rose to one stem one usually buys at the florist. Problem is, these are highly cross bred hybrids and tend to be disease prone, especially Black Spot. Other varieties are Floribunda's (many flower's) that usually have 3 to 5 roses per stem but still the roses have many petals (original roses, from which all roses came were Rosa Rugosa... a single row of petals that are still available today and desirable because of their hardiness.
Grandiflora Roses resemble Tea Roses except they have 2 or more blooms per stem and the stems are much larger than most Tea's... yet they are hardier than Tea's.
The Bush roses have several varieties, too numerous to discuss here. They do include the climbers, although true, vining climbers are unknown in the rose world.

Contd.

[Clanad]

Contd.

Again, many roses are susceptible to Black Spot and other fungul ' type diseases. These are fairly easy to control. Try looking for a product called Dormant Oil. It's a sulphur product in liquid form one mixes with water. It should be sprayed on the emerging plant first thing in spring to kill the spores that over winter in the drip line of the rose. Don't get any on you... it's a smelly concotion.
Fertilize liberally... I prefer the rose "spikes" one pushes into the soil near the base of the plant since they will last about have the season. Don't water them in the afternoon sun and keep them well watered... probably at least an inch per week. Just caution against them standing in water (known as "wet feet"). As Hawkwalk directs, prune the plants... mainly crossing canes that keep air from circulting freely.
Best of luck!

[landscaper2]

That�s interesting Clanad, do you not have Standard Roses in the States? A Standard Rose is one grafted onto a clear stem of 3' or so. http://www.gardenseeker.com/roses/standard_ros es.htm

[Giggsie]

thanks all very interesting

[Clanad]

Aha, I see now, Landscaper2... that our common language has interseded once more... Here in the U.S. we call your plant a Tree Rose... seen here: http://www.growquest.com/rose%20section/tree_r ose_photo_gallery.htm

I may have heard the term "Standard Rose" previously, but always thought it ot be a reference to a common rose bush that can grow to be several feet high here in the U.S.

Thanks for that!