Thoroughly spray for fungus diseases while the bushes are cut back and before much foliage is
established. It is essential to prevent the start of black spot rather than to cure it. Don’t miss a week
from now on.
It is not necessary to spray for insects until they appear. Aphids are the chief insect pests at this time and they can
be controlled with almost any good insecticide. Malathion, Orthene and Mavrik all do a good job, sprayed just on the
new foliage where the insects are feeding.
If the fungus diseases over-wintered (which is most often the case) on the canes, it is essential that the canes be
carefully sprayed with a zinc-bearing Maneb such as Dithane M-45.
Keep a close watch on the soil moisture. The roses are forming the framework for a season’s blooms and any
serious dryness at this time could be some degree affect the whole summer’s performance.
Continue touch-up pruning. There will be a few canes that, for one reason or another, simply do not sprout and
grow properly. They may have been winter damage or disease that was overlooked during pruning. It is best to take
them out now, back to the source to encourage new basal shoots.
Fingernail prune. Fingernail pruning is the practice of taking off some shoots and leaving others as new growth
begins. If two or more shoots emanate from the same place, remove all but one, saving the strongest. When the
stems mature and buds form on the end, watch closely for side growth that may appear near or beside the bud on
hybrid tea roses. This should be removed as early as possible so that the scar will not be noticed.
Start a regular feeding program for established bushes. A newly planted rose should not be fertilized until the
initial blooming period is at its peak or just finished. Always water plants well before applying any fertilizer to avoid
fertilizer burn.
Watch for basal breaks (vigorous shoots coming from, or within 5 inches above the bud union). This new growth
is very tender and susceptible to being broken by strong winds. Tie them off to a stake or another cane.
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