Horticulturist Tom Ogren shares tricks of the trade for growing great
roses.
- Roses are often fertilized with every watering at nurseries.
- A hungry rose bush will have yellow-tipped leaves. To feed it, mix a water- soluble, granular fertilizer and one tablespoon per gallon of water. Use about two gallons of water per pot. Pour the water over the plant in a gush to flush out accumulated salts in the soil. Set the pot on a crate that you've placed in a large tub (figure A), which will allow you to collect the drained, treated water.
- Another option is to fill a 40-gallon can with water and fertilizer and fill the bucket from the can to water the plants. Use an eight ounces of water-soluble fertilizer, six ounces of fish emulsion, and 6 ounces of Epsom salts per 40 gallons.
- Before watering plants with a water-based fertilizer, sprinkle some time-release fertilizer around the base of the plant. That should last for about three months.
Homemade Insecticide
Materials:
1 gallon water
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 Tbs. baking soda
2 Tbs. dish soap
Steps:
- Add the vegetable oil, baking soda, and dish soap to one gallon of water.
- Shake well and add to a sprayer.
* Note: If you have a lot of mildew, spray every two to three days. You can’t over-spray because the mixture is not harmful.
Homemade Deer Repellent
Materials:
2 raw eggs
1 cup skim milk
1 cup water
3 garlic cloves
1 Tbs. sticker/spreader (available at nursery) or dish soap.
Application:
Blend together, add to a gallon sprayer and fill to line with water. Spray on roses every two weeks.
Resources Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping
by Tom Ogren
Ten Speed Press, 2000
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests Tom Ogren
Horticultrist / Allergy-Free Gardening Consultant
San Luis Obispo, CA
Phone: 805-541-0452
E-mail:
tloallergyfree@earthlink.net
Website:
www.allergyfree-gardening.com
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