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1. SPRAYING - Continue regular preventative spray program for fungus disease. If black spot is present, add ½ teaspoon of Dithane M-45 or Manzate per gallon to the funginex mixture, spray twice a week until black spot is under control. Be watchful for spider mites. Check the leaves for mites if they are present, take action immediately spray with miticide after washing leaves thoroughly. salt and pepper look on the underside.
2. FERTILIZING - Maintain a light feeding program. Roses do not need to rest during the summer. Slow acting organics are good. Foliar feeding may cause leaf burn during the hot summer. If the foliage turns a light green, an application of Spring or similar iron chelate (about 1 tablespoon per gallon of water) will bring the green back. Don’t worry about the yellow leaves in the center of the bush now. They probably have outlived their usefulness and are falling off during the natural course of plant growth.
3. MULCH - Maintain a good mulch cover to reduce soil temperature and conserve water. Add to mulch until cover is 3 to 4 inches thick and keep it loose for better air/water percolation.
4. GROOM - Groom conservatively. Trim twiggy or blind growth as necessary and cut short stems when ever possible. Roses depend on a production net work of healthy leaves for growth and bloom.
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